fo 1. PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE SCHOOL DIVISION - “Dedicated to the Pursuit of Excellence” Api, 2015 LETTER OF REFERENCE Donna Mestdagh ‘ToWhom it ay Conceen ‘Donna has been an educator withthe Portage la Pail Schoo Dison since August, 1909. During this time, she has held postions as a mide years teacher and resource teacher, ad is curently the Dwsions ‘Straiogi Intatwes Learing Coordinate. | have had the privilege of Krowing and working with Donna in various capacties for most of her 16 years vith the Division Donna's educational background and valuable experiences have alowed hero gain aweatth of ‘knowledge in many areas. She provides leadership to our Divison ina number ef important intatves inclucing ‘assessment, Provincial Report Card implementation, lierscy, numeracy and data analysis. She is argely ‘esponsibe fr curculum development and implementator, es well as managing he Dvsion's Eat Development Instrument, WEVAS trang and its URIS program. Donna isthe Disions central person in ‘organizing professional development workshops fo al the Division's professional staf, nctuding the {oarainain of PD opportunities wth the Mantoba Rural Leaming Consorum. She sao an excelent ‘Workshop presenter, and she hs provided Divisio in-servcing ina number of areas including Later Uteracy. ‘Shei also 9 sucoessfl grant wir and has secured a numberof Division grenis under the French Second Language Rowtalzaton Program. Alef hese roles and responsilies requ high level kis in planning, ‘organization, callboraion, problem solving, and erative thinking, Donna possesses a of thece trai, ard her ligence and commitment ensures excalence regarsiess of ho task or chalenge. In aditon to her experts in the aforementioned areas, Donna has a wealth of experience and knowledge'n te area of speci! education, Tie nclides knowledge about spacial edveaton Insructon, methods snd materials, Provincial and Dvsion poses anc protocols, eatagorea! grants the funding process, individual esueaton plans incudng wanston planing, and support agencies that provide services fr stents ‘an te families. As a resource teacher, Donne developed excepbonal programs for special needs students based on best pracices. She has an excellent grasp of amin and insructonal theory, ana abet ready ‘apply said teary tothe practical doman, She's alvays wling to demonsvate and model how these programs ‘should be implemented. When students ae involved, one can rst tht ner decision making process is based ‘on the central question, "What best fr the student?” She has exceptonal human relations sits and a8 8 result has established excelent working relationships with students, parents, teacher, and administrators Donna sa very positive person who is avays wing to accept new chalonges and responsibilties. As the Division's Stategic Inflatve Learning Coordnater, she is contnualy asked to tae the lead on new Intatves. She nas aocepted a of thee requests with entuslasm and energy. Shei thorough inher work, and carellto flow the Dvisions protocols and procedures when deaing with issues. She is commited to ‘entiualy developing her knowledge and competencies in whatever rola or postion she i assigned, Tiss ‘evident in numberof areas, including her continued growth inthe eld of technology, an area where she ‘akoady hs a great doa of knowedge Donna isan excellent team player who can bot ead and encourage others to lead. She ls @ ‘collaborate prabiem solver whe works uth thers to ind ests fer efectve outames. She has established a network of supports wih colleagues and consultans, and her excellent interpersonal skis allow hee S55 3rd Sweet OW, Portage a Pai, Manitoba RAN ZO Telephon: (204) 857-8756 + Fx: (204) 239-5008 + WebSite: www.ppsdanbicaPORTAGE LA PRAIRIE SCHOOL DIVISION “Dedicated to the Pursuit of Excellence” communicate, cooperate, and work ffectvly wih her many dally contacts including teachers and ‘administrators. She is quick to ask questions about any Issues where she feels she requires addonal Svgrmation to take te best acon posal. She open fo, and invites, feedback and suggestions about 2 ately of issues. She communicatos effectively wth administrator, and Keops Sonor Administration ‘appropriately informed, ‘Donna is undoubtedly one ofthe most exceptional educators | have had the ppertunty to eam from ‘and work with during my thiry lus years in education. Is my pleasure to recommend her fo ahyone interested In an extremely capable ecucete and leader. Ido so witout reservation. Scere, 01. Peon Mike Mawes ‘Assistant Superintendent tage Pale, Manitoba RIN 20H ‘elephone (206) 857-6756 + Fx: (208) 2395998 » Web Se: wnpips.mb.ca