Welcome to the Orange County Department of Education.
For those who don’t know, OCDE works closely with schools, educators, families and community partners to support learning and student success. But for me, this mission is personal.
I came to this country as an English learner and a student with a disability. I know firsthand how important it is to have a network of support, and that’s exactly what OCDE provides — an educational community dedicated to helping every student succeed.
Along with directly serving some of Orange County’s most vulnerable students through our alternative and special education programs, we provide essential services to 28 school districts — supporting more than 600 schools with professional learning, career and technical education, payroll, legal guidance, high-speed internet access, and other critical resources that help schools and educators do their best work.
This website is your gateway to learning more about OCDE and the districts we serve. Here, you’ll find updates on our 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, job opportunities, resources for families and educators and daily stories from the OCDE Newsroom. And soon, we’ll be launching a new version of this site designed to enhance your experience and make it even easier to find the information and services you need.
We invite you to explore, connect and learn more about how we support education in Orange County. Thank you for visiting.
Dr. Stefan Bean
Orange County Superintendent of Schools
Meet Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County’s 12th Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Stefan Bean serves as Orange County superintendent of schools, guiding regional efforts to ensure every learner has the knowledge, skills and opportunities to thrive. With nearly 30 years in education, he is known for building genuine connections and leading with heart.
As county superintendent, Dr. Bean leads the Orange County Department of Education, which provides direct instruction to the county’s most vulnerable students and critical support to 28 local school districts and more than 40 charter schools serving hundreds of thousands of learners. Under his leadership, OCDE’s work is anchored in the 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, emphasizing student success, service excellence and shared leadership.
Dr. Bean was unanimously appointed as Orange County's 12th Superintendent of Schools in June 2024 and was elected by Orange County voters in June 2026 to a full four-year term. Before joining OCDE, Dr. Bean served as superintendent for Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles, where he oversaw 11 TK-12 campuses after advancing from principal to superintendent during nearly 12 years with the organization. He subsequently served as executive director of the Irvine International Academy.
Dr. Bean draws strength and perspective from his own journey as an English learner and a student with a disability. Those early experiences shaped a career dedicated to supporting marginalized students and fostering inclusive, collaborative environments where every voice is heard. His approach is rooted in the framework he calls LIFTED — an acronym for listen and learn, inspire potential, foster authenticity, transform through hope, empower through strength and develop others.
Born in Saigon in 1971 as Nam Le Thanh, Dr. Bean overcame extraordinary early challenges. Stricken by polio and abandoned at age 2, he was brought to the United States as part of Operation Babylift during the Vietnam War. At age 4, he entered the U.S. foster care system and was later adopted by the Bean family, who provided the love and stability that helped shape his future.
Despite ongoing medical issues and early struggles in school, Dr. Bean immersed himself in sports and student leadership. He served as an umpire for neighborhood baseball games, joined student council and discovered a passion for public speaking. By sixth grade, he was a straight-A student who was elected class president and invited to Washington, D.C., to deliver a speech on behalf of children with disabilities. His dedication and determination later earned him a full scholarship to the University of Southern California.
During his college years, Dr. Bean met Janet Soares, whom he married in 2000. They raised four children and were deeply involved in work and ministry. Dr. Bean credits Janet, who passed away in 2020 after a battle with cancer, as a significant source of support throughout his life and career.
"I want our students across Orange County to know that I've got their backs, no matter what, and that they should use me as an example," he said. "No matter what they're going through, no matter what challenges they may face — whether they have a disability, a speech impediment, whether they speak English as a second language, or whether they're experiencing trauma — I want them to know that I'm there, and I'm going to protect them and help them throughout our county."
