PO Box 40594

Tucson, Arizona 85717

                                             Tax I.D. # 27-0830643

 April 5, 2024

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter in support and on behalf of Don McKenzie and Jacqueline Zaleski McKenzie.  I have known this couple for over 20 years.  Jacquie was my master´s and doctoral student at the University of Arizona. In 2008, I founded Resplandor International a non-profit educational center in Cajones, Mexico with their support. As a result of their contacts in the community of Cajones they facilitated an opportunity to meet and discuss a property with a local owner. That property is now where Resplandor International is located. Jacquie and Don were instrumental in the creation and building of Resplandor International in the community of Cajones, Guanajuato, Mexico. At the time I was a professor of education at the University of Arizona in Tucson.  I continued to work at the University of Arizona until I retired in May, 2020.  I now officially live in Cajones next to Resplandor International and next door where Don and Jacquie lived during their residency in Mexico.

Once we decided to begin the construction of Resplandor in 2008, Don McKenzie took on the supervision of the construction project (Resplandorinternational.org).  Over a period of a few years we were able to carry out the construction of Resplandor under his direction. It is now a three story building which serves as a local community center in Cajones serving the needs of children and families from various communities in the area. Don did a incredible job of designing and constructing the building of the first two floors of Resplandor.  While construction was underway, Don also taught classes in English at Resplandor. I was impressed with his construction and supervision skills in guiding local workers in the construction of Resplandor.  Without his assistance and guidance Resplandor would never have been built. I observed Don as being very patient, always calm under any situation or circumstance.  He also was a great teacher to the local children at Resplandor and had great relationships with the parents. The children at Resplandor were always attracted to Don and he loved being around them and they felt the warmth of his care and concern. Not once did a parent ever express reservation with regard to having their children in his presence or under his tutelage. They showered Don with affection and loved to be in his presence.  Jacquie and Don both taught and worked with families and their children providing classes at no cost and in service to the community while serving at Resplandor. 

Don and Jacquie were both very loving and kind when it came to children and families in the community.  They were always concerned about their well-being and always considered how they could support the children and their families even when they were short of funds themselves.  They would buy provisions for needy families in the surrounding community and were willing to do so so that the children and families would have what was needed. This expression of love and concern was something they both took pride in, demonstrating their outstanding character and love for others. They are both very loving and kind human beings.

One student that they assisted financially throughout the completion of her university studies when asked, who do you admire most in all the world and who she most might like to emulate, responded with the name Don McKenzie. I have to believe that it is very painful for Don and Jacquie to be isolated from children for whom they have so much affection and regard.

Jacquie was an outstanding and accomplished graduate student of mine at the University of Arizona. I met her in Tucson and suggested that she apply to my master´s program in the area of bilingual special education. She had many years of teaching experience in the public schools. She completed the master´s program and participated in my summer study abroad program Verano en México multiple times. She was completely engaged and committed to completing her program both at the master´s and doctoral level. She then completed a doctoral dissertation doing research in rural communities in Mexico which resulted in the publication of a very practical book about culture and education in Mexico. This book exemplified her cross-cultural understanding and knowledge gained while living and studying in Mexico.

I personally come from a very service-oriented faith tradition and have been involved in service projects in different parts of the world. I was very impressed with her dedication to serving others and improving their plight during her time in Mexico. She is dedicated to serving others.  She has had a career dedicated to teaching children with special educational needs in the U.S., Mexico and Ecuador. She is focused on environmental sustainability and the welfare of the earth based on her spiritual beliefs and practices.  She is a shining example to others and her actions on behalf of others are purposeful and authentic.

Dan and Jacqueline McKenzie, are a dynamic couple who have dedicated their lives to action based practices with a focus on improving the human condition.  I am honored to have been part of their life story and that they have been such an important part of mine as well.

Sincerely,

Todd Fletcher, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus/Distinguished Outreach Professor

College of Education

University of Arizona