Wake Up! Newport – Dr. Stefan Bean – O.C. Department of Education Superintendent

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 more than 25 years in education, he is known for building genuine connections and leading with heart.

As 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.

Prior to his unanimous appointment in June 2024 as the 12th superintendent of schools for Orange County, Dr. Bean served as executive director of the Irvine International Academy. Before that, he spent nearly 12 years with Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles, where he rose from principal to superintendent and oversaw 11 campuses spanning transitional kindergarten through 12th grade

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 tragically 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.”