SMEC 2169 HWY 56 Austin, MN 55912 (507) 438-5397 February 25, 2022 To whom it may concern: It is with great pleasure that I recommend Heather Schutte for this position. As the Executive Director of SMEC, I worked closely with Heather for four years while she was in her role as an Elementary Special Education Teacher and then a Work-based Learning Coordinator. 1 also worked with Mrs. Schutte in her role as the Career Navigator for Southeast Service Cooperative. During this time, I found her to be an excellent leader and communicator, to have great rapport with staff, students and administration and an ability to plan well into the future. During the time Heather was in our district, she developed and ran the district Next S.T.E.P. 19 to 21-year-old program, To accomplish this, she went back to school to obtain a work-based licensure, worked with the Minnesota Department of Education to get her program approved, developed and research curriculum for the program, and helped promote the program to staff, parents, and the school board. Heather has always been an excellent classtoom teacher, always looking for new and innovative ways to encourage student learning. Her classrooms have been well-managed, organized and having a positive atmosphere. Mrs, Schutte is well liked by the staff, students, and the parents; she can address tough issues while maintaining a good relationship with them. It has been my experience that Heather can handle some of the most stressful staffing situations in a professional manner, defusing both upset parents and students. Tcan assure you that given the choice, I would hire Mrs. Schutte for a leadership role in any of the districts I currently represent. She is a knowledgeable, hard-working professional with great communication skills, Heather’s presence in our school will be deeply missed, I strongly recommend Mrs. Schutte and am sure that you will be more than satisfied with her performance in your district, Dew Crmagee ‘Dan Armagost Executive Director Southern Minnesota Special Education Consortium (Alden-Conger, Glenville-Emmons, Grand Meadow, Kingsland, Leroy-Ostrander, Lyle, Southland)