March 22, 2015

To whom it may concern;

It is my distinct pleasure to write this recommendation letter on behalf of Ms. Donna Mestdagh. I have worked with Donna in
many roles over the past 10 years. I have known her in roles as a teacher, colleague and a mentor to me throughout that time. She
has supported me in writing funding applications, using new testing materials, analysing testing results, building behaviour plans,
writing grant applications, to name a few. Donna has been willing to take the time to teach me during my transition from teaching
in the Life Skills program to working in a more inclusive role as our schools resource teacher. She has offered countless gifts of
her experience and is always eager to share her knowledge.
When I met Donna, she was the resource teacher of our dual track school Grades k-9, with over 400 students. In this role, Donna
was always an advocate for my students in the life skills room. She supported my vision of inclusion and worked hard to help me
make it possible to have my students attend as many classes as possible. She was always ready to help me when I had an issue
with a student that I was struggling with. Her ability to understand student needs is amazing. She is always remained calm when
dealing any type of outburst.
After she became the Strategic Initiatives Learning Coordinator, she has worked tirelessly to support the teachers within our
division. She was instrumental in supporting us in understanding the need for new assessment practices which made the transition
to the new provincial report card a seamless one. She has run many P.D. opportunities that I have been involved in. Two of the
more recent ones includes a First Steps in Math 2-year cohort as well as a Grade 8 RAD training for the division where we have
come up with division wide exemplars for our students non-fiction understanding.
Donnas role as Strategic Initiatives Learning Coordinator has included working directly with the 260 teachers in our division,
direct planning of our yearly URIS plan, compiling data for provincial assessments, development and planning our local grants
for literacy, numeracy, Basic French and SmARTS grants, acting as a liaison between Manitoba Education and the administration
and student services teams of the division. She also brings professional development opportunities to students services on a
regular basis. Donnas ability to multi-task in impeccable, she always appears to be calm despite balancing all of these duties. She
works diligently to lead us in new directions and is always willing to support us in our endeavours.
I believe that Donna Mestdagh would be a fine addition to any educational environment and would offer leadership and guidance
in many areas. I strongly recommend her a position your institution. Please feel free to contact me if further reference is needed.

Sincerely,

Angela Mills
Resource Teacher
cole Arthur Meighen School
amills@plpsd.mb.ca
(204) 857-3405 ext. 636