To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to be a champion of Emma Gustafson because she is a

wonderful human being and a dedicated and effective educator. I have known
Emma and her family her entire life and she is a thoughtful, smart and loving
person. I endorse her candidacy enthusiastically and have every confidence in
her abilities both in and out of the classroom.

Emma was an excellent student at Miami University and was dedicated to her
early childhood education program. Emma is currently an effective and
enthusiastic teacher of third/fourth grade students at the Saint James School and
their loss will be your communities gain. She loves children and is child-centric in
all that she does, while also being respectful and responsive to the parents of her
students. I know Emma would be a positive and collaborative member of your
faculty and an extraordinary addition to your team.

My positive perspective on Emmas competencies are a result of me knowing her
but also from my experiences as an educator, a CEO of a billion dollar business
and a CEO of a multi-million dollar national non profit. In addition, I have had the
privilege to lead our community public school foundation, been a member of our
local school board and currently I am a member of the Illinois State Board of
Education and Chair the Finance and Audit Committee. I am a champion of
children, education and educators and for eight years I also chaired the Golden
Apple Foundation. With all that said, and way too much information about myself,
I enthusiastically and confidentially endorse Emma Gustafson.

Please call me at any time if that would be of help to you. Many thanks.


Cordially,
Jim

391 Belle Foret Drive
Lake Bluff, IL 60044

630-235-3418