Dr. Stefan Bean’s journey to serving as the 12th Orange County Superintendent of Schools is likely the sort of storyline you’d come across in a film.
Spectrum News recently shed light on Dr. Bean’s path, from the obstacles he faced as an orphan with a disability born in Saigon during the Vietnam War to the professional milestones he has reached, leading to a 25-year career in education.
With the support of his adopted family, his faith and community, Dr. Bean said he was able to achieve his goals, which included starting a family of his own and uplifting students across Southern California through his roles as a teacher, principal and charter school executive director.
Among those who shaped his journey was his sixth-grade teacher Donald Geisinger. As a mentor and lifelong supporter, Geisinger played an integral role in influencing Dr. Bean’s decision to become an educator.
“What he has accomplished goes far beyond perhaps what most people thought,” Geisinger told Spectrum News.
In June, their bond came full circle when Geisinger administered the oath of office, marking Dr. Bean’s appointment into his current role at the Orange County Department of Education.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- Los Alamitos High School junior Yara Saadeh plans to help middle school students strengthen their leadership skills, manage real-world scenarios and advocate for themselves through the recent launch of an eight-week course for younger generations.
- The Orange County Business Council has named County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean to its board of directors to further support the county’s economic growth through educational development efforts.
- After more than 13 years leading the Irvine Unified School District as superintendent, Terry Walker has announced his plans for retirement. Walker served the district as a teacher, director and assistant superintendent before being appointed in 2011.
- The San Clemente High School Education Foundation united parents, educators, alumni and more to raise money in support of the school’s educational programs at its annual themed fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 9.
- Buena Park School District teacher Suzanne Huerta was named a state finalist for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching due to her efforts to build stronger math skills among her students with disabilities.
- After a battle with cancer, longtime Anaheim Union High School District educator John Dahlem is being remembered for his impact on Orange County students as a high school principal, a wrestling coach and a leader in Southern California high school sports.
- The Laguna Beach High School girls’ volleyball team recently clinched its sixth California Interscholastic Federation title in a Division 7 game final against St. Paul High School.
- Brea Olinda High School closed its campus Wednesday in order to prioritize the safety of students and staff after it received an unspecified threat on social media, according to KTLA 5 News.
- On Thursday, KTLA reported that a worker was pronounced dead after an accident occurred at a construction site at Villa Park High School in the Orange Unified School District.
- SeaWorld in San Diego hosted its second annual STEM day for students across Southern California to dive deep into learning activities that combined science with the wonders of marine life.
- Dozens of California farmers, educators and food service workers gathered to discuss strategies to incorporate more organic produce into school lunches at the San Juan Capistrano Ecology Center’s Farm-to-School Summit.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.