Student success starts with people who care. Our classified employees show that care every day, keeping schools running and students supported. They are the backbone of our public education system. They work with students, educators, families, and partners. They keep offices running and buildings safe. Our community depends on them.
At Clackamas ESD, more than 60 classified job types support this work. To honor their impact, our Board of Directors has proclaimed March 2–7, 2026, as Classified Employee Appreciation Week.
Their work reflects our mission to lead, serve, and innovate for learning. We are grateful for the more than 260 classified staff members and contractors who make a difference every day. Meet five of our classified employees and learn how they serve our community.
Mo Springer says the most meaningful part of her work is helping students learn new skills, especially skills that require self-control, patience, and routine.
“It’s the little things,” Mo says. “Helping them build habits they’ll use every day — that’s what I love.”
Life Skills at the Heart of the Work
Those small moments are at the heart of Mo’s work as an educational assistant at Heron Creek, a program that serves K–12 students from Clackamas County experiencing significant social, emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges.
When asked what she does for work, Mo keeps her explanation simple. The work itself, however, is anything but. It is hands-on and deeply impactful, with a constant focus on helping students build real-life skills many of us take for granted.
Inside the Classroom
Mo works in a classroom where many students are non-verbal and rely on augmentative and alternative communication devices to communicate. The class includes 11 students, and Mo works one-on-one with a different student each half day.
Ages range from early teens to late teens, meaning she supports students as they navigate adolescence while also learning essential life skills.
A Path Shaped by Experience
Her interest in working with students with disabilities goes back to her childhood. Mo grew up with a brother with special needs, an experience that shaped her desire to work in supportive roles with children.
Her career path has included work in child protective services and a juvenile detention center. Heron Creek, however, has been different. Mo joined the program in 2023 and quickly discovered how meaningful the work could be.
“It’s something I did not expect to like as much as I do,” she shares. “It’s rewarding.”
Learning to Leave Work at Work
Like many educators, Mo once struggled to leave work at work, especially after spending years in high-stress environments. Over time, she learned how to decompress at the end of the day.
“I’ll go home, talk about work for five or ten minutes, and then I go into my after-school life,” she explains.
Teaching Patience and Self-Regulation
In addition to helping students build patience and routine, Mo supports them in developing self-regulation and perseverance. She described a student who once repeatedly asked to go home throughout the day but has since learned to focus on completing school tasks first.
“That’s progress,” Mo says. “Those little things help them create habits and learn that sometimes you can’t have what you want right now.”
After several years at Heron Creek, those moments still move her.
“I’ve been here for a few years, and I’ve seen a lot of these kids grow,” she says. “It makes me emotional.”
The Power of Consistency and Boundaries
Mo is passionate about setting expectations and maintaining boundaries, especially for students who struggle with behaviors. She believes consistency and structure are essential for helping students understand how the world works.
“I think a lot of times people give in or try to do whatever is easiest,” she says. “But realistically, that’s not how life works.”
When staff stay firm and consistent, she says, students respond.
Recharging Outside the Classroom
Outside of work, Mo recharges through hobbies that balance the intensity of her days. She has collected more than 50 vintage cameras and enjoys tinkering with them. Her favorite is a small 1909 accordion-style camera, which she describes as “beautiful.”
She also enjoys unwinding by watching Bravo shows like Real Housewives and Below Deck.
