1. Date: 7-13-2016
Re: Samantha Smith,
To whom it may concern,
When I hired into a long term contract with a Northern California Education county
school SELPA (2014-2015), Samantha Smith was my agency 3rd party contact. She got
me into my contract with excellent explanation of all details, timelines, benefits and time
keeping requirements. Samantha's negotiation of my salary, per diem pay & stipends
with my new employer were exactly in the range I needed which made it possible for me
to be able to accept the job as a DHH Instruction Specialist. It also indicated to me that
she really listened to what my living and transportation needs were and took my
placement into the field (580 miles from my home) very seriously.
Once I arrived at my new job site I found my way into my new software easily with
Samantha's help. There were a few software glitches that she could not answer directly
but I found her to be exceptionally well connected having understanding of sources
within her own networks who knew the answers to my questions. I always felt good
about calling Samantha when I was in a panic concerning administration of my
contractual issues with my hiring school district.
Samantha was cool in the pressures I placed her under concerning sensitive
communications with administrators over me when I needed time off for family matters
and when I needed to renegotiate my contract for the upcoming school year. This being
my first experience working as an independent contracting education specialist, I felt
was made much easier by Samantha's experience in knowing a broad range of
information concerning teacher licensing and teacher requirement.
Samantha always addressed me in the most polite and professional manner in my
communications with her. Even when I knew I was pressuring her for timely answers
and expressing my needs, Samantha impressed me as being in control of her emotions
and having trained deeply for difficult level of communications between people in
different teaching professions. I could have not had a better 3rd
party agent working on
my behalf. It is my honor to present Samantha Smith to the internet community.
Sincerely,
James L. Buxton: Retired Teacher for San Diego Unified Schools
Visiting Teacher for Southern Oregon Education Service District
Medford, Oregon
M.S. Special Education
endorsements in D/HH, LD, ASD
B.A. Instrumental Music Education