1 / 2 COMPLETE PAGE 1. Q1: Nominee's Name: Don Schmidt

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1 Volunteer of the Year Award 2016 SurveyMonkey #1 COMPLETE Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link) Started: Tuesday, May 17, :59:57 AM Last Modified: Tuesday, May 17, :20:32 PM Time Spent: 00:20:34 IP Address: PAGE 1 Q1: Nominee's Name: Don Schmidt Q2: List the committees and task forces in which the nominee has been involved: Don has chaired or served on many task forces and committees, and is quick to serve when asked. His service has included: Chair, summer convention 2012 Bylaws Task Force Finance Committee 2011 Don is also on a local citizen's advisory committee for Child Protective Services. While not serving on a membership-specific task force, Don has taken it upon himself to be a true evangelist for TCASE membership, both within and outside of his district. He has also been a leader when it comes to diversifying the organization's income stream and forming alliances with other associations and business partners that enable us to strengthen our organization both politically and economically. Q3: List the nominee's years of board service, years as a regional board member, and years as a member of the House of Delegates: VP for Finance/Secretary Treasurer (four years) TCASE Board present Current President-Elect, committed to serve as President and Past President Q4: Describe the nominee's representation at the state level for TCASE, (i.e., legislative efforts, stakeholder meetings, witness testimony): Service on 8-10 stakeholder meetings representing TCASE and/or districts in general Frequent witness at House and Senate hearings Met with Commissioner Morath on behalf of TCASE Participated in numerous meetings with TEA, formal and informal Currently serving on a state task force of the Texas Supreme Court on Child Protective Services A member of the Alliance, and frequently aides communication between the Alliance and TCASE Q5: Participation as a presenter at TCASE and TCASE-sponsored conferences and programs: Delivered several presentations on behalf of TCASE for Texas PTA, TASA and other organizations regarding special education issues. Q6: AWARDS AND HONORSProvide any awards or honors that the nominee has received that are pertinent to this award. Don has been honored by the South Texas Counseling Association with an Exemplary Service Award (2010) 1 / 2

2 Volunteer of the Year Award 2016 Q7: ENDORSEMENTS:Please compile three to five single-page letters of endorsement for the award, and send them all together in a single to info@tcase.org with the subject line: award nomination. Please include the nominee s last name or district name in the body of the . SurveyMonkey I will send the required letters of endorsement by the award nomination deadline (May 18). Q8: REGION 20 Q9: Form completed by: Name (first, last) Deena Hill District Fort Bend ISD address Deena.hill@fortbendisd.com Telephone number / 2

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4 To: TCASE Awards Task Force From: Cynthia Peltier Date: May 17, 2017 Re: Don Schmidt Members of the Task Force: It is with great pleasure and confidence that I endorse Don Schmidt as the TCASE Volunteer of the Year. Don is the definition of this award. He has served in numerous capacities for TCASE. He has chaired several committees, chaired the legislative task force for four years, is always willing to come to Austin to testify and advocate for our students and the organization. In addition, he is one of the top recruiters for membership and is currently on the Presidential Track on the board. Don not only volunteers on tasks forces, committees, the board, etc. he volunteers his time to mentor young directors. Don has had a significant impact on who I am as a Director of Special Education. I am not sure if he is aware of how his model as a man of integrity and character has shaped me as a leader. When I began my journey in special education, Don immediately took me under his wing and with simple words of encouragement led me to where I am in the field today. Don sees something in people that they do not see in themselves and he grows us into who he knows we can be and become. He has put faith in my abilities when I did not know I had it in me. He takes time to show you that he believes in you and never expects anything in return. He lifts up everyone he comes into contact with and is such an asset to this organization. He has spent countless hours on finance for TCASE when he was the VP for Finance and has gone out of his way to advocate with legislators on TCASE legislation. He does all of this without batting an eye because he believes in TCASE and what TCASE stands for and he works diligently to make this organization strong and a force to be reckoned with. Don Schmidt is a reflection of outstanding leadership to TCASE. He gives of himself to this organization by volunteering with commitment and passion in all aspects needed. He is always willing to step in and be wherever the organization needs him to be. For this and the reasons above, I whole heartedly endorse Don Schmidt to receive the TCASE Volunteer of the Year Award. Cynthia Peltier Director of Special Education Clear Creek ISD Clear Creek ISD Special Services l 400 S. Walnut Street l Webster, TX l P: l F:

5 Clear Creek ISD Special Services l 400 S. Walnut Street l Webster, TX l P: l F:

6 Van Independent School District After High School Comes College Rexanne Thomas, M.Ed. (903) * Fax (903) Deputy Director of Special Programs P.O. Box 697 * 549 E. Texas Street * Van, TX thomasr@van.sprnet.org May 17, 2016 Cindy Moses, chair TCASE Awards Task Force It is my understanding that Don Schmidt has been nominated for the TCASE Volunteer of the Year Award. While TCASE is an organization with many wonderful members who give of their time in service to our profession, I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of this recognition than Don. From my first association with Don, as we prepared to testify before the House Public Ed Committee several legislative sessions ago, it was very obvious that this was a man who is passionate about doing the right thing for Special Education students, supporting Special Education teachers, and empowering Special Education leaders. His efforts with the Legislative Task force have helped develop and advance the TCASE legislative agenda. Don is also one of the best recruiters that TCASE has! He is a consistent advocate for ways to make membership accessible and beneficial to a wide range of Special Education professionals. He seeks ways to encourage and develop potential Special Education leaders to provide a solid future for our profession. Don s many years of dedicated service to the organization as a member, board member, officer, and TASK force member/chair have helped TCASE become a strong organization; one that is recognized by both TEA and the Legislature. With his continued leadership and voluntary service I am confident that TCASE will continue to flourish in the future and the Special Education students as well as the professionals who serve them will benefit for many years. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of Don s nomination for this award. Sincerely, Rexanne Thomas, M.Ed. Van ISD TCASE Board Member, Region 7 Van ISD inspires and prepares all students to be successful in a rapidly changing world.

7 ATASCOSA-McMULLEN SPECIAL EDUCATION COOPERATIVE Charlotte-Jourdanton-Pleasanton-Poteet-McMullen Co. Phone Lynse Pawelek 831 Stadium Drive FAX Executive Director Pleasanton, TX May 23, 2016 To the members of the Awards Task Force: I am writing to you on behalf of Don Schmidt who I have known on a professional level for 5 years. Don has vast experience in all areas of education. He has been an employee of Northside ISD, one of the largest school districts in San Antonio, since He taught at the elementary, middle and secondary level prior to moving into school administration. He served as an Assistant Principal at Taft High School, a principal at Holmgreen, a campus for students served in Special Education, and a principal at Clark High School. He has expertise in all areas of Special Education, and he has shared his management skills with many other departments within his school district as the Assistant Superintendent for Student, Family and Community Services. Don is always attentive to district responsibilities, but he is also active in state leadership. He has served on several state appointed committees and has been an advocate for special education through testimony at the State Capital many times. Although he stays busy with dayto-day professional responsibilities, Don always makes time to actively listen to concerns in an effort to idealize solutions for any issue. As a member of the TCASE Legislative Task Force and the TCASE Board of Directors, I have observed Don s organization, diplomacy, and problem solving skills firsthand. He keeps our group on task as he facilitates and coordinates meetings and issues that have a direct effect on Special Education in Texas. Don collaborates with the TCASE legislative liaison regularly and the task force members productivity is a positive reflection of his leadership. He is currently on the Presidential track for TCASE and will serve as the organization s leader in Don has an excellent work ethic; yet, he also excels as a proud supporter and active member of the community. He has held a variety of leadership positions with the Alamo Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, and in his spare time, Don and his wife enjoy traveling throughout the United States and abroad. As a Director of a rural Special Education cooperative, I collaborate with many state and regional administrators during the school year, and Don Schmidt is respected throughout Texas. He is always willing to share his knowledge at TCASE conventions, and he follows through with commitments to organize events, facilitate sessions and introduce keynote speakers whenever he is needed. Although there are other qualified applicants for this award, Don Schmidt merits your attention based upon his experience and leadership skills and his willingness to serve. I encourage you to recognize and reward his efforts with consideration for the Volunteer of the Year Award. Sincerely, Lynse L. Pawelek, Executive Director