Behind every student success story, there are dedicated people helping it happen. Our licensed employees bring expertise, compassion, and care to that work every day, supporting students, educators, and schools across our region.
At Clackamas ESD, our licensed team includes about 180 staff members in at least 20 different types of roles. They teach students, lead professional learning for staff, support social skills development, and provide speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Their work reaches students, educators, families, and communities across Clackamas County.
Their work reflects our mission to lead, serve, and innovate for learning. We are grateful for every licensed employee and the meaningful difference they make each day. This Licensed Employee Appreciation Week, meet a few of our licensed staff members and learn how they serve our community.
At Clackamas Education Service District’s Heron Creek Therapeutic Program, students know they can count on Amy Kingsbury.
Known around school as “Miss Amy,” she brings warmth, consistency, and compassion to her role as social skills specialist. After 30 years in the field, she has built her work around one core belief: strong relationships help students grow.
Relationships First
For Amy, connection is at the center of everything she does. Whether she is supporting elementary students through a difficult moment or helping them build confidence and independence, she believes trust comes first.
That relationship-focused approach is one reason students so often seek her out. Her office is a place where they know they will be seen, heard, and supported.
Partnering With Families
Amy also works hard to build strong relationships with families. She knows many parents are navigating stress, uncertainty, and a lack of support, and she wants them to know they do not have to do it alone.
Her message is simple: do not be afraid to speak up.
Through open communication, regular check-ins, and a focus on sharing positives as well as challenges, Amy helps families feel informed, included, and heard.
Celebrating Growth
Some of the most meaningful moments in Amy’s work come when students begin to advocate for themselves — asking for help, working through disappointment, or taking steps toward a successful transition back to their neighborhood school.
She also remembers the moments when families feel that growth, too. One parent told her after an IEP meeting that it was the first time she had ever left a meeting without driving home in tears. For Amy, that kind of response is a reminder of why the work matters.
A Calm Place to Land
Amy’s office is more than just a workspace. For many students, it is a place to pause, regulate, and reset.
That calming environment includes two goldfish and a snail named Turbo, who have become an unexpected but welcome part of the school day. What started as a student idea has turned into a small source of comfort and connection for the kids who stop by.
Care That Lasts
After three decades in education, Amy continues to bring patience, humor, and heart to her work each day. Whether she is helping a student solve a problem, supporting a family through a transition, or simply offering a calm place to land, she is making a difference.
At Heron Creek, Amy is a steady presence that students and families can count on.
