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OCDE Prevention Education Coordinator Stephan Lambert speaks with an attendee during the department’s Thrive Resource Fair on Sept. 25, 2025, at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

Weekly roundup: OCDE staff featured in Educational Leadership article on student digital wellness, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 11, 2026
Person viewing OCDE’s redesigned website on a laptop and smartphone, showing the site’s responsive layout across desktop and mobile devices.

OCDE launches redesigned website with fresh look and improved user experience

Ian Hanigan September 10, 2026
Los Alamitos High School students work behind the microphones during the school’s first student-produced live varsity football broadcast on Sept. 4.

Los Alamitos High students take the controls for first live sports broadcast

Vicky Nguyen September 10, 2026
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School students in the Santa Ana Unified School District earn special certificates and prizes for completing the 2025 STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge. (Courtesy of Mendez Intermediate)

Blue Origin astronaut to help launch fifth STEAM Reading Challenge

Madeline Gray September 9, 2026
Attendees make their way to sessions during OCDE’s AI Forward Summit on Aug. 3 at the department’s Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE Connected Leadership Conference to bring district professionals together Oct. 20

Vicky Nguyen September 9, 2026
University High School’s Academic Decathlon team and coach Christopher Esposito pose during the 2026 United States Academic Decathlon National Competition, which featured the theme “The Roaring Twenties.”

University High places seventh at United States Academic Decathlon National Competition

Vicky Nguyen May 6, 2026
University High School finished seventh in the nation at the 2026 United States Academic Decathlon National Competition in Garden Grove, earning Rookie of the Year honors in Division 1 and multiple individual medals.
Dr. Jeff Hittenberger speaks on stage at the Disability Symposium while attendees listen from round tables.

Vanguard University to host second annual disability symposium on inclusion and belonging

Ian Hanigan May 6, 2026
Vanguard University’s School of Education will host its second annual Disability Symposium on June 24, convening individuals with disabilities, educators, families and faith leaders for a day of learning focused on inclusive practices and belonging.
South Junior High 2026 Civic Learning Award of Excellence

Anaheim Union’s South Junior High earns state’s top Civic Learning Award

Vicky Nguyen May 4, 2026
South Junior High School in Anaheim has received the 2026 Civic Learning Award of Excellence, the state’s highest honor for civic education. The campus is one of three schools statewide recognized at the top level.
Impact School logo

OCDE invites schools to apply for next round of Orange County Impact Schools program

Ian Hanigan May 4, 2026
Quick look: Applications are now open for Orange County Impact Schools, an OCDE effort to highlight effective school practices and...
Oxford Academy eighth-grader Aaryan Balani explains how his AI-powered invention helps treat people with intermittent strabismus. (Courtesy of ABC7)

Weekly roundup: ABC7 spotlights Oxford Academy eighth-grader’s AI tool for eye alignment condition, and more

Madeline Gray May 1, 2026
An Oxford Academy eighth-grader is turning a personal challenge into a creative invention that could help millions of people better...
Katrina Edmunds is presented with the Outstanding Career Awareness Educator Award.

OCDE now accepting nominations for Outstanding STEM Educator awards

Nathaniel Martinez May 1, 2026
Know a STEM educator in Orange County who is making a difference? The Orange County Department of Education, in partnership with Cox Communications and the Inside the Outdoors Foundation, is once again seeking nominations for its Outstanding STEM Educator awards. ...
Dr. Stefan Bean speaks on a stage during The Wooden Floor’s Step Beyond Annual Breakfast, with blue lighting, curtains and a podium in the background.

County superintendent shares message of resilience and support at Step Beyond Annual Breakfast

Ian Hanigan April 30, 2026
County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean served as keynote speaker at The Wooden Floor’s 14th Step Beyond Annual Breakfast in Costa Mesa. The Santa Ana-based nonprofit helps students build confidence and opportunity through dance, academic support and college readiness
Briseyda Cabrera Mejia of Estancia High School poses with family members after being recognized as a 2026 AVID Senior Standout.

2026 OC AVID senior standouts earn $431,000 in scholarships

Vicky Nguyen April 30, 2026
A total of $431,000 in scholarships was awarded to 42 graduating seniors during the 2026 OC AVID Senior Standout Recognition and Scholarship Presentation, held April 15 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The event honored 57 students for academic achievement, leadership and perseverance.
2027 Orange County Teacher of the Year Ryan Healy receives a $25,000 check from the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation while receiving congratulations from Superintendent Dr. Bean and his Marco Forster Middle School musical theater students.

OCDE announces 2027 Orange County Teachers of the Year with surprise visits

Staff reports April 29, 2026
Six Orange County educators were surprised on campuses across the county after being selected through a competitive review process, with K-12 honorees eligible for the state program and all to be recognized Nov. 13 at the Disneyland Hotel.
FutureCurrent podcast episode with Dr. Bean and Adan Correa

FutureCurrent: Neurodiversity advocate Adán Correa on life on the spectrum, belonging and connection

Vicky Nguyen April 28, 2026
In the ninth episode of FutureCurrent, speaker and neurodiversity advocate Adán Correa shares his experience growing up on the autism spectrum, highlighting the importance of belonging, perseverance and embracing differences.
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