In this powerful episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck sit down with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, to explore how a life marked by adversity became the foundation for a hope-filled, student-centered leadership journey. Dr. Bean shares his remarkable story from being abandoned in Saigon with polio and surviving Operation Babylift, to being adopted by the Bean family, discovering his voice through a sixth grade teacher who saw his “gift of gab,” and ultimately becoming a county superintendent who tells 450,000 students, “I’ve got your back.”

Drawing from his new book Lifted to Lead and the LIFTED framework, Dr. Bean unpacks how listening deeply, inspiring potential, fostering authenticity, transforming through hope, empowering strengths, and developing others show up in real schools and classrooms. He and the hosts discuss supporting students experiencing trauma, grief, and mental health challenges, the critical role of emotionally intelligent adults, and concrete ways educators can lift students over their barriers so they can reach the future they were meant for.

About Dr. Stefan Bean

Dr. Stefan Bean has dedicated the past 28 years to serving Southern California communities and students as a teacher, principal and school administrator. In June 2024, the Orange County Board of Education unanimously appointed him as Orange County's 12th superintendent of schools, a position that dates back to 1889.

From July 2022 through June 2024, Dr. Bean served as the executive director of a charter school network in Irvine. Prior to this, he worked for Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles for nearly 12 years, progressing through roles as lead principal, associate superintendent and superintendent. In the latter role, he oversaw 11 schools serving students from transitional kindergarten through grade 12.

His education includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California, a master's degree in educational leadership from Loyola Marymount University and a doctorate in educational administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Follow Dr. Stefan Bean

Website: https://www.liftedtolead.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeanoc/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstefanbean/

Book: https://amzn.to/3ZWKglY

FREE The Language of Behavior Book Study Kit: https://thrivingeducator.myflodesk.com/lobbookstudy

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About Charle Peck:

Charle Peck is the co-creator of Thriving School Community, a revolutionary program designed for schools to improve mental health. She holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work as a 20+ year veteran in education (K-12). As a global keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages of hope to educators and facilitates meaningful professional development. Charle successfully equips school staff with practical tools to mitigate teacher burnout and the youth mental health crisis providing relief to schools all across the country. Her unique lens as a high school teacher turned clinical therapist specializing in trauma makes her stories relevant and captivating to educators struggling in today’s system. You can purchase her book “Improving School Mental Health: The Thriving School Community Solution” on Amazon and connect with her on X @CharlePeck.

Follow Charle Peck:

Website: www.ThrivingEducator.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlePeck
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlepeckconsulting?mibextid=LQQJ4d
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlepeck/
Other: charle@thrivibgeducator.org
Podcast: Thriving Educator
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Improving-School-Mental-Health-Community/dp/B0BTS3MN2P?crid=EIKAGWZ4V006&keywords=charle+peck&qid=1705780803&sprefix=charle+peck%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=6456f4f1bc2440be71d094a5d14656a4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

About Joshua Stamper:

Joshua Stamper is the Director of Innovation for the Teach Better Team, a multifaceted role that encompasses his talents as an author, podcaster, leadership coach, and education keynote speaker. With a rich background as a middle school administrator, classroom art educator, and athletic coach, Joshua brings a wealth of experience to his work in education.

Joshua is passionate about implementing trauma-responsive techniques, exploring alternative student discipline methods, and promoting healthy leadership habits. He is deeply committed to enhancing leadership capacity through self-care practices, ensuring that educators are equipped to lead with empathy and resilience. As the author of The Language of Behavior and Aspire to Lead and host of two popular podcasts, Joshua continues to inspire and empower educators and leaders worldwide.

Follow Joshua Stamper:

Contact: https://joshstamper.com/contact/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Joshua__Stamper
Instagram: www.instagram.com/joshua__stamper
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspirePodcast
Subscribe to Aspire to Lead: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-the-leadership-development-podcast/id1384210762?mt=2
Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1953852386/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1953852386&linkCode=as2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=0d9c336e3db6ab16cbb08421ef3e4175

Need a Presenter for a conference or school PD?

Contact Brad Waid at techbradwaid@gmail.com to book Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper for your next event on Improving Student Behavior, Impacting School Mental Health, or Creating healthy habits.

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Teach Better Podcast Network

This podcast is a part of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Explore the Teach Better Podcast Network—your hub for insightful conversations covering diverse education topics. Our podcasts empower educators, fostering progressive, student-focused classrooms. Choose a podcast, subscribe, and dive into recent episodes now at https://www.teachbetterpodcastnetwork.com/

Lifted to Lead with Dr. Stefan Bean