The first full week of March is designated as Classified Employee Appreciation Week. At Clackamas ESD alone, we have more than 60 types of classified jobs. These are people who touch every corner of our agency’s work and the districts we support, from providing hands-on help to teachers, children and families, to filling endless behind-the-scenes roles to keep buildings and teams safe, cared for and high-functioning.
This Classified Employee Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting five of our more than 260 classified staff members and contractors, to provide a peek into the diverse ways this large group of employees lives our mission of service. We appreciate our entire classified team and the meaningful work they do.
Lesley Watson is an itinerant educational assistant in Clackamas Education Service District’s early childhood special education program. She supports young children with delays or disabilities that impact their learning in their community preschool classes and coaches preschool staff in creating an inclusive classroom where all children can succeed.
Lesley provides hands-on support to children on Individualized Family Service Plans in Head Start preschool classes run by one of our organizational partners, the Clackamas County Children’s Commission. She focuses on developing key social emotional and communication skills, such as turn-taking and initiating conversations, which are foundational for success in school and beyond. One of her favorite strategies is modeling the behaviors she wants to see in the children.
“I’m a bit of a drama queen! I love exaggerating and acting out emotions. Modeling the words and behaviors we’re learning helps them make connections and express themselves,” Lesley explains. “It’s a fun and effective teaching tool!”
Lesley also works closely with preschool teachers and classroom staff to enhance the learning environment. Whether assisting during circle time, introducing new teaching strategies, or using visual aids, Lesley helps create a space where children can learn at their own pace, regardless of their individual challenges.
One of the most rewarding parts of Lesley’s job is seeing children make progress. Whether it’s a child meeting a speech goal or using an alternative communication device to express their needs, these moments are deeply moving for Lesley.
“I always love seeing when kids meet their goals, especially speech goals because words are so powerful,” Lesley says. “When they speak or use an AAC device to say ‘more milk,’ it’s always a tear-jerking moment for me because it’s the start of something much bigger.”
Lesley’s passion for early childhood education was inspired by her mother, who worked as both a teacher and a nanny. After years of experience as a preschool teacher and educational assistant, Lesley is now pursuing a master’s in early intervention and early childhood special education at Portland State University, all while working part-time at Clackamas ESD and raising her three-year-old son.
“I love watching children experience the world through their own eyes and helping guide them as they navigate it,” Lesley shares. “Being that catalyst that supports them in making choices and developing essential skills — that’s my jam!”
Lesley is deeply motivated by the opportunity to serve as a role model for her students, recognizing the power of representation in shaping their lives. Educators who reflect their cultural and racial backgrounds can empower students, helping them envision a brighter future and build confidence in their potential. This understanding drives her to show up with intention each day, fully invested in her role as an example of what is possible.
“It is so important to me to show up every day, especially for the brown and black children. Having diverse representation in their everyday lives, especially at school, makes a tremendous difference,” Lesley shares.
