Open World Learning Community

Independent School District 625

640 Humboldt Avenue • Saint Paul, MN 55107

Telephone: (651) 293-8670 • Fax: (651) 293-5308 • www.open.spps.org



To : The Graduation Committee of Margaret Windingstad
From: Rebecca Palmer, Secondary Science Teacher, Open World Learning Community
Re: Science
Date: January 21, 2020

As a Science teacher at Open World Learning Community it is my pleasure to recommend
Margaret (Maggie) Windingstad for graduation in the area of Science. I have known Maggie for 6 years in
my capacity as a science teacher and can say with great confidence that she has fulfilled the requirements
necessary for graduation.

I have had the opportunity to observe Maggie as a teacher, crew leader and student service
supervisor. Since Maggie has been a member of my crew since the 6th grade, I have had the opportunity to
observe her academic performance, social skill set and community outreach. Maggie is an outstanding
example of each of OWL’s core values. Maggie is incredibly generous and inclusive with the other
students in crew. She often takes a leadership role directing students to accomplish tasks. During her
time as my student service worker, she has been extremely helpful. As a teacher I can depend on Maggie
to accomplish tasks and take a leadership position.

Maggie has always had a lot of interest in Geology and that helped her keep focus throughout her
science courses at OWL . During her sophomore year Maggie was enrolled in the Chemistry course that I
teach. Chemistry is a cumulative course and therefore often one of the most challenges science courses.
Maggie also missed a lot of class which increased the difficulty. This created a scenario which taught
Maggie the necessary skill of hard work. She needed to find resources and work hard to understand the
missing content. With her desire to study geology and make a career out of it, she was determined to be
successful in her science classes. This valuable skillset of hard work and determination is something that
she can apply to all aspects to her life.

Maggie has completed a year-long course in Accelerated Biology, Chemistry, AP Environmental
Science and is currently enrolled in Anatomy & Physiology. With these courses, she has met the
requirements for graduation in Science and Technology and I am happy to recommend her for
graduation.