Click here to check out Mr. Capener's Blog!

Mr. Capener is the superintendent of Jefferson School District. Prior to coming to Jefferson, Mr. Capener lead the K-12 ESOL Program, the Pre-K-12 Migrant Program, the Translations and Interpretations Department, the Dual Language Program and the Newcomer/Refugee Program at Salem-Keizer School District. Additionally, he lead four summer school programs, three preschool programs, and two after-school programs. During his tenure at Salem-Keizer, Mr. Capener created the Contributing Voices Conference for disadvantaged youth, and partnered with Western Oregon University, and Willamette University, in providing an engaging day of inspirational speakers who reinforced the message, ‘My Voice Counts!’ for three years in-a-row. He lead a team of instructional coaches focused on helping teachers grow in their ability to reach all students.

Mr. Capener also partnered with Chemeketa Community College and created a high school summer program that offered CTE college credit, in addition to high school credit recovery options.

Prior to his eight years in Salem-Keizer, Mr. Capener worked at the Oregon Department of Education as a Team Lead of Federal Programs. In this role, he was one of two Title III (English Learner) Specialists supporting the state of Oregon. He was Team Lead over all federal monitoring visits for Title Programs, and School Improvement. Mr. Capener has traveled across the state providing technical assistance to school districts. He has traveled to other states and observed highly functioning high poverty schools. Mr. Capener has worked with Stanford University and the University of Oregon professors on creating a researched based observational tool to help schools identify instructional strengths and vulnerabilities. He has presented at numerous state and national conferences and has been an adjunct teacher at Lewis and Clark College, helping administrators understand how to best to support English Learners.

Before becoming an administrator, Mr. Capener taught high school English and social studies. He also taught middle school social studies, and while obtaining his license, spent a year both as a long-term substitute teaching Kindergarten, and a regular substitute in the primary grades. He has taught in the alternative school setting and in summer school. He has lead student trips to Ashland, Oregon, and to England. Teaching was a passion for Mr. Capener and he continues to lead in education because he wants all students to have the best education possible, and enjoys creating systems that allow for that vision.

Finally, Mr. Capener is a published author. His book, Achieving Incredible Results for English Learners: A Blueprint for Educational Leaders, is based on his work in equity, and is marketed to administrators to help them set up programs that truly help guide their English Learner Programs.