Jeffrey Niess

Jeffrey has been in education for more than 30 years – 19 as a psychologist and the rest as a special education administrator. Prior to coming to ESD 112, Jeffrey served the Camas School District for 28 years in a variety of roles. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Oregon. He has also served as a college professor and has authored articles on the social group affiliations of exceptional children and the effects of adolescent peer group affiliation on self-esteem.

As Executive Director, Jeffrey leads the Special Education ESA, a unique consortium of 28 school districts that pool resources to serve children with disabilities and their families. His professional interests are educational law, school-wide behavior, and educational systems, mental and behavioral health issues, and advocacy for exceptional students.

He has also been a professional race car driver and race instructor and volunteers as a Special Olympics coach.