Kyle Laier
About Kyle
With over 22 years of experience in education, Kyle Laier has traversed diverse roles across various school settings, consistently championing student success and leadership development. His journey began in Desert Hot Springs, California, where he led the establishment of a new high school in a vibrant, high-needs community. Transitioning to Oregon, Kyle embarked on a dynamic career path, first as a college basketball coach before transitioning to middle school teaching in Oregon City.
Kyle’s leadership trajectory unfolded when he began principal of King Elementary School, followed by stewardship at Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences. He further enriched his expertise as principal of Newberg High School, bringing innovative approaches to learning. Returning to Oregon City School District, Kyle assumed roles as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, later broadening his impact as Assistant Superintendent of Operations, and culminating his journey as Superintendent.
In his current role as a coach with Portico, Kyle extends his legacy by supporting school leaders in navigating challenges and fostering collaborative solutions for student success. His coaching philosophy, rooted in curiosity and community-building, seeks to cultivate supportive relationships among leaders, driving transformative outcomes for students across diverse educational landscapes. Through his unwavering commitment and multifaceted experiences, Kyle continues to inspire and empower the educational community.
Toolkit Resources From Kyle
Kyle’s Story
Kyle’s career in education began in Desert Hot Springs, California, where he had the unique opportunity to help open a new high school in a diverse and high-need community. This formative experience set the tone for his professional path, rooted in a commitment to equity, opportunity, and student success.
After his time in California, Kyle returned to his home state of Oregon to pursue another passion — coaching college basketball. His experiences coaching youth had long inspired his desire to work closely with others as they pursued their aspirations, a value that would continue to shape his leadership style throughout his career. Soon after coaching, he transitioned into teaching middle school in Oregon City, further deepening his connection to the educational community.
Kyle’s first leadership role came when he became principal of King Elementary School in Oregon City. There, he honed his skills in school leadership and community building. He then moved on to serve as principal of the Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences, an innovative high school also in Oregon City, where he led efforts to integrate career and technical education with core academic learning.
His leadership journey continued in the Newberg School District, where he served as high school principal. Following this, Kyle returned to the Oregon City School District to take on broader district leadership roles. He first served as assistant superintendent of teaching & learning, then as assistant superintendent of operations, and ultimately as superintendent. Through each of these positions, Kyle remained committed to fostering environments where students and educators alike could thrive.
After years of experience as a school and district leader, Kyle felt the time was right to transition into coaching. He now serves as a coach with Portico, where he is excited to return for another year. His early experiences coaching youth had sparked a lifelong passion for supporting others in their growth, and this passion now informs his work with school leaders across the region.
As a Portico coach, Kyle values the opportunity to build deep, meaningful relationships with school leaders. He brings a strong sense of curiosity and creativity to his coaching practice, always asking why things are the way they are and what could be done differently to improve outcomes for students. He approaches conversations with an open mind and a collaborative spirit, partnering with leaders to explore solutions and innovations.
Kyle finds particular joy in fostering cohort communities where leaders can be vulnerable about their challenges and lean on one another for support. He believes that the collective wisdom of these communities often leads to breakthroughs that positively impact students. Watching relationships develop and seeing leaders support one another in ways that ultimately benefit their schools and communities remains the most rewarding aspect of his work as a coach.
