UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

______________________________________________________
Twin Cities Campus Special Education Programs
Department of Educational Psychology
College of Education and Human
Development
250 Education Sciences
Bldg.56 East River Road.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Office: 612-626-0367
Fax: 612-624-8241
http://www.education.umn.edu/
edpsych/sped
Email: spedp-adm@umn.edu

June 13, 2011

Dear Search Committee,

I am privileged to be writing this letter of recommendation for Mina Blyly Strauss. Mina has
completed her second session of student teaching with the University of Minnesota Early
Childhood Special Education Department. As a supervisor of student teachers, I was assigned as
Mina’s instructor for the final ten-week session. She met all State of Minnesota competencies
with high ratings. She is prepared to teach children in the field of Early Childhood Special
Education.

Mina student taught in a classroom of students with special needs ages 3-5 in the Minneapolis
Public Schools for her first placement, and in Columbia Heights for her Birth – age 3 placement.
In both placements, Mina earned high ratings and strong recommendations from her cooperating
teachers.

As the supervisor for her Birth – age 3 placement, I observed Mina using her classroom
strategies from prior placements to develop plans for a toddler group of students with special
needs. She was well organized both for the activities planned and for the individualized needs of
her learners. She is very thoughtful in her planning and in her teaching. She is a natural with
students who have alternative learning needs. I also observed Mina as she provided home
intervention sessions for parents with young special needs students. Again, Mina drew on her
resources, collected data and developed plans according to the Individual Family Service Plan
goals. She was confident in working with language interpreters and with social service
personnel to ensure equal access to all of her students and families. She is reflective, thoughtful
and very well prepared to help families navigate the hurdles involved in parenting young
children.

I recommend Ms. Blyly-Strauss for any position in Early Childhood Education. She is eager to
continue in her professional development and has a natural kindness with children.

Respectfully Submitted,

Anna Paulson
Teaching Specialist