From welcoming new leadership and integrating artificial intelligence to honoring outstanding educators and celebrating five decades of environmental education, 2024 was a year that showcased the dedication, innovation and resilience of Orange County’s education community.
This year marked significant transitions, including the announcement of County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares’ retirement after more than a decade of service and the appointment of Dr. Stefan Bean as the 12th county superintendent. Amid these changes, OCDE and its partners worked together to champion student success, cutting-edge technology and new opportunities.
With 2025 quickly approaching, we’re taking a look back at some of the OCDE Newsroom’s biggest storylines of 2024, highlighting some of the people and initiatives that shaped Orange County and set the stage for future successes.
Dr. Stefan Bean selected as Orange County’s 12th superintendent of schools
In June, longtime educator Dr. Stefan Bean was tapped by the Orange County Board of Education to become Orange County’s 12th superintendent of schools, a role that dates back to 1889.
Following the retirement of Dr. Al Mijares — more on that in a moment — the county board interviewed six candidates before appointing Bean, who during his 25-year career has served as a teacher, principal and school administrator in Southern California.
Bean’s personal story of resilience reads like a movie script, underscoring his belief that students can overcome adversity through the strength of communities and support networks. He wasted no time in introducing a new vision for OCDE that included making career technical education more inclusive, fostering emotional intelligence, integrating artificial intelligence, and enhancing support for local districts.
County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares steps down after 12 years, citing health issues
Meanwhile, tributes poured in to honor former County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares, who announced his retirement after 12 years on the job.
During his tenure, Mijares collaborated with district superintendents and other key partners to promote college and career readiness. He also teamed up with public health officials and local leaders to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2023, Mijares took a medical leave due to health concerns. In an April message to staff, he disclosed his battle with cancer and said he would step down at the end of June.
“Remember that we at OCDE are stewards of the department, serving it diligently and safeguarding it for future generations,” Mijares said. “As I step away, I will carry with me cherished memories and a profound sense of pride in all that we have accomplished together.”
Orange County schools embrace AI to transform teaching and learning
Orange County schools and districts made major strides in 2024 to integrate artificial intelligence, using the technology to enhance learning outcomes and streamline administrative tasks.
Wes Kriesel and Kunal Dalal, OCDE’s administrators of AI and innovation, sat down with the OCDE Newsroom in February to discuss the technology, emphasizing human-centered approaches and collaborative implementation.
In April, more than 450 students attended the Student AI Convening at the JW Marriott in Anaheim. Coordinated by OCDE, the event explored AI’s role in academics and careers through peer-led tutorials and interactive sessions.
This was followed in November by the Future Leaders Conference, which highlighted real-world applications of AI alongside career-building workshops for hundreds of high schoolers.
Dr. Bean, the new county superintendent, included AI as a key pillar in his 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, calling for its responsible use to enhance educational outcomes.
Orange County education programs shine with 12 Golden Bell Awards
The Orange County Department of Education and 11 local school districts were honored with Golden Bell Awards from the California School Boards Association, in recognition of their innovative educational programs.
Presented Dec. 5 at the Anaheim Marriott, these awards are considered premier distinctions for school districts across California. They highlight initiatives that address diverse student needs, including access to technology, career exploration and critical support services.
Among the winning entries was OCDE’s Language Services unit, which has expanded student access countywide by providing interpreting and translation services, along with training for educators. Additionally, the Buena Park School District’s governance team received the prestigious Golden Gavel Award for exemplary leadership.
Orange County’s 12 Golden Bells in 2024 were four more than last year.
OCDE celebrates the 2025 Orange County Teachers of the Year
More than 60 local educators were honored for their transformative impact on students at the 2025 Teachers of the Year gala, which was hosted by OCDE at the Disneyland Hotel on Nov. 1.
About six months earlier, a half-dozen of those star teachers received surprise visits from a bright yellow school bus filled with department representatives, who personally congratulated finalists in the Orange County Teachers of the Year program.
The finalists — five K-12 teachers plus one community college instructor — each received $25,000 awards from the Orange County Teachers of the Year Award Foundation, established by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation. Semifinalists were awarded $7,500, and nominees received $5,000 each.
Since the program’s inception, the Gross family has contributed more than $5 million to support over 1,800 educators.
OCDE helps create the nation’s first Southeast Asian studies model curricula
Throughout 2024, OCDE continued its leadership in developing the nation’s first model curricula on Southeast Asian studies, designed to deepen understanding of Cambodian, Hmong and Vietnamese American histories, cultures and refugee experiences.
In 2022, the California Department of Education selected Orange County to spearhead three model curriculum projects centered on these communities. Based on state legislation and input from scholars and local community members, OCDE staff created open-source lesson plans, primary source documents and professional development activities for kindergarten through grade 12.
These materials aren’t mandatory for schools or districts, but they can be integrated into existing coursework or used to create new classes.
In November, nearly 500 educators and community members gathered in Long Beach for a two-day conference hosted by OCDE to introduce the Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum. Plans are underway to host similar events next year to unveil model curricula centering on Hmong and Vietnamese American experiences.
State unveils updated California School Dashboard and new data shows positive trends for OC
The 2024 California School Dashboard was released in November, offering big-picture and more granular views of how public schools and districts are supporting students.
Originally launched in 2017 by the state Department of Education, the dashboard is a website updated annually with the latest assessment results and other performance metrics in a user-friendly format.
Along with its release, the state produced a batch of new data reports, including updated graduation and absenteeism rates, which revealed positive trends for Orange County.
Orange County campuses earn top state and national honors
Thirty-eight Orange County campuses made this year’s list of California Distinguished Schools.
In February, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced that 293 middle and high schools across the state received this recognition, considered the highest honor for California schools.
Administered by the California Department of Education, the Distinguished Schools program recognizes campuses that demonstrate excellence in two critical areas: closing achievement gaps and achieving exceptional student performance.
With its latest additions, Orange County has produced a total of 874 Distinguished Schools since the program started in 1985.
Two Orange County secondary schools took home National Blue Ribbon honors in 2024: South Lake Middle School in the Irvine Unified School District and Mission Viejo Christian School, an independent campus in Mission Viejo.
OCDE’s special schools, serving students with the greatest disabilities, rebrand as Connections
OCDE announced a new name and logo for its special schools program, which supports Orange County students with the most significant disabilities.
Renamed Connections — with the tagline “Empowering Every Learner” — the program officially adopted its new identity in January 2024. While the rebranding reflected a fresh vision, the team said it remained committed to meeting the unique needs of every student.
The initiative was led by OCDE Associate Superintendent Analee Kredel, who shared the update with the Orange County Board of Education on Jan. 10. Kredel now leads the department’s ACCESS and Connections division, overseeing alternative and special education.
Inside the Outdoors celebrates 50 years of environmental education in Orange County
Inside the Outdoors reached a major milestone in 2024 — 50 years and counting of connecting Orange County students with the natural world through immersive outdoor experiences.
ITO’s story began with the opening of the Outdoor Science School in 1974, laying a foundation for decades of growth. By 1981, the OCDE-led initiative had expanded to include day programs, ensuring even more students could experience the wonders of nature firsthand.
Since its inception, Inside the Outdoors has engaged more than 3.5 million students, bringing science to life through hands-on learning.
OCDE provides families with insights on Universal PreKindergarten and new learning foundations
After launching its Universal Prekindergarten initiative in 2021, the California Department of Education released new learning foundations this year to better serve the growing student cohort in preschool and transitional kindergarten classrooms.
To support families looking into these expanding opportunities, OCDE’s Early Learning Services unit teamed up with the OCDE Newsroom to answer key questions about Universal PreKindergarten.
Nationally, enrollment in early learning programs reached a record high in 2024, with more than 1.6 million children participating in public prekindergarten programs during the last school year. Officials plan to meet this demand by expanding enrollment in transitional kindergarten to all California children who turn 4 by next September.
Other major developments this year included updated academic standards for early learners and new resources available to help children ages 3 to 5 thrive academically and socially.
Vicky Nguyen and Madeline Gray contributed to this story.