The first full week of May is designated as Licensed Employee Appreciation Week. At Clackamas ESD alone, we have at least 20 types of licensed jobs, with many variations in those positions. These are people who have completed higher education and earned licenses to be certified to teach students, lead continuing education training for staff, serve as social skills specialists, and provide speech, physical and occupational therapy within Clackamas ESD programs and the school districts we serve.
This Licensed Employee Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting a few of our approximately 180 licensed staff members to provide a peek into the diverse ways this large group of employees lives our mission of service. We appreciate our entire licensed team and the meaningful work they do.
Aimee Daly is a behavior support specialist in our Life Enrichment Education Program, which provides comprehensive education for students with complex disabilities and communication needs. She travels to LEEP classrooms across Clackamas County, offering behavior support and intervention strategies for students ranging from elementary-aged children to young adults in our post-high program. Her role centers on helping students develop self-regulation skills and coaching staff in compassionate, effective behavior strategies to ensure all students can access their education safely and experience the highest possible quality of life.
Each student in LEEP brings their own unique strengths and challenges, requiring individualized, thoughtful support. Some have sensory needs or struggle with transitions, while others may exhibit higher-risk behaviors such as inflicting self-harm or damaging property. Aimee uses a wide variety of proactive strategies to support students, including visual schedules, communication aids, sensory tools and accommodations that make classroom activities more accessible. No matter the need, Aimee’s approach is always trauma-informed and rooted in meeting students where they are.
“I always emphasize cooperation over compliance, and building a rapport with our students is a critical piece of that,” Aimee explains. “When students are met with compassion, space and support, the results can be truly transformational.”
Collaboration is at the heart of her approach. In addition to working directly with students, Aimee partners closely with classroom teams to co-create student behavioral support plans and model responses to challenging behaviors that maintain student engagement while keeping everyone safe.
“The classroom staff are on the front lines. They know our students best, and their insights are so valuable,” Aimee shares. “And I’m incredibly lucky to work alongside another amazing board-certified behavior analyst and a fantastic team of speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, adapted physical education teachers and nurses. I’ve learned so much from each of them, and I truly value how collaborative and supportive the team is. It’s been such a privilege to work alongside professionals who are so committed to our students and who bring such a wide range of expertise to the table.”
Aimee’s connection to this work began in childhood. Her mother was the residential director of a group home for adults with disabilities and often welcomed individuals into their family home while they waited for a group home placement to become available. This deeply formative experience inspired Aimee’s lifelong commitment to supporting individuals with neurodiversity.
“My mom was an activist for people with disabilities, and I grew up in this community,” Aimee shares. “I’ve always felt a deep connection to this work and am driven to foster independence and joy, especially in supporting individuals with unique needs and ways of experiencing the world.”
A board-certified behavioral analyst, Aimee has over 20 years of experience in the field and has worked with neurodivergent people of all ages, from young children receiving special education services to adults living in group homes or receiving palliative care. This wide-ranging experience gives her a unique perspective on supporting students and families at every stage of life.
“I can see where our kids are now and can envision where they can go. My hope is that they have the tools to live their very best lives across their whole life,” Aimee says. “This is such a critical window of time, and we have a real opportunity to support them and make a meaningful, lasting impact.”
Aimee’s deep appreciation for the students she works with shines through in everything she does. For her, the most meaningful part of her work is the relationships she builds with students and their families.
“The students here are amazing, and it’s a privilege to have an opportunity to spend time with them, be a part of their lives and hopefully make a positive impact in their families,” she reflects.
