Leslie Van Kleek, an administrator and special education teacher with three decades of experience in education, has been selected to lead our Deaf/Hard of Hearing program. She replaces Laurie Harrison, who is retiring this June.

In this role, Leslie will oversee 22 educators who work as Deaf and hard of hearing teachers, audiologists, and American Sign Language interpreters and assistants. These educators provide services to about 250 students who are Deaf or hard of hearing in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties.

About 10 of these students are enrolled in a specialized program especially for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. This classroom is located at Groner Elementary School in Hillsboro. Students there learn primarily in American Sign Language and spend the majority of their school day learning alongside other students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

“We’re excited for Leslie to join our team,” says Cathy Jensen, executive director of K-12 special education services. “She brings a deep commitment to students, a collaborative leadership style, and decades of experience supporting learners with diverse needs. Her focus on relationships and inclusive practices will strengthen how we serve students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.”

Leslie is currently principal at Patrick Lynch Elementary School, a Title 1 school with about 350 students in the Centennial School District. She has worked there since 2022. Before that, she worked in the Tigard-Tualatin School District for about 25 years first as a special education and alternative education teacher and later as a behavior specialist and dean of students.

Her accomplishments include:

• Creating a positive school culture at Patrick Lynch Elementary School by strengthening teacher collaboration and building meaningful connections with more than 300 families through consistent communication and outreach. 
• Co-designing professional learning opportunities for educators in order to strengthen their instructional practices and student support.  
• Implementing schoolwide data tracking systems to monitor student progress, identify needs early and guide instruction.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams to support students with complex disabilities in reaching meaningful educational goals.

Although she has spent most of her career working in special education, she hasn’t had the chance to work solely in a program supporting children who are Deaf or hard of hearing and says she’s thrilled to take on this new role.

“My leadership style is grounded in humility, compassion, and relationships,” she wrote in her application for the position. “I strive to listen carefully, approach challenges with curiosity and humor, and build collaborative partnerships with staff and families.”

Leslie earned her administrator’s license and her master’s degree in education with an emphasis in Deaf and Hard of Hearing education from Lewis & Clark College. She holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from Oregon State University.