Jennifer Neitzel - Transforming Schools Through Visionary Leadership

Jennifer Neitzel is an accomplished educational leader whose 33-year career with Salem-Keizer Public Schools reflects an unwavering dedication to helping students, educators, and entire school communities thrive. For the final 21 years of that tenure she served as principal, first at Morningside Elementary and then as the founding principal who opened Kalapuya Elementary in 2011 successfully directing large elementary schools of more than 500 students while overseeing teams of approximately 50 staff members each year.

Her leadership philosophy places students’ academic growth and overall well-being at the center of every decision. Throughout her years in the district, Jennifer built collaborative environments where high expectations, meaningful relationships, and continuous improvement became the cultural norm. She is widely recognized for promoting data-informed instruction, strengthening operational systems, and cultivating positive workplaces that fostered both strong employee retention and professional excellence.

Jennifer directed the district’s large-scale summer enrichment and literacy program that served more than 1,300 elementary students, coordinating curriculum, staffing, and instructional resources. She also launched community-centered celebrations of student achievement that regularly drew more than 1,000 attendees each year.

Today she continues to apply that same analytical rigor and commitment to organizational excellence as an Analyst with Powell Banz Valuation, LLC, where she provides opinions of value on commercial properties across Oregon. She is also completing her Certified General Appraiser credentials. Holding a master’s degree in educational leadership from Portland State University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a mathematics minor from Oregon State University, Jennifer Neitzel remains devoted to elevating both people and institutions to their highest potential.

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Jennifer Neitzel
Keizer, OR US