Stephen Patterson

An educational administrator

About Stephen Patterson

From 2002 to 2019, Stephen Patterson was with the Orangefield Independent School District. He began with the district as the Orangefield High School Assistant Principal, a position he held for three years. In this role, he oversaw all extracurricular activities, student academics, and behavior management. He also served as the Director of Career and Technology Education, and he was awarded the Region 5 Assistant Principal of the Year in 2004. 

From his role as Assistant Principal, Stephen Patterson moved into the role of Orangefield High School Principal, a position he held for two years leading 550 students and 60 employees. On top of conducting all teacher performance evaluations, he also served as hiring lead for all positions and developed a student nursing program to help students earn their CNA. In the classroom, Stephen expanded the Dual Credit and AP programs to allow for college credits to be earned in high school, and he expanded all of the technology programs to meet requirements for 21st-century learning. 

From 2012 until 2019, Stephen Patterson served as the Orangefield Superintendent of Schools for the Orangefield Independent School District. As the superintendent, Stephen led 2,000 students and 265 employees while managing a $17 million budget. During this time, he also managed the disaster that was Hurricane Harvey and – on the humanities end – created a fine arts partnership with the community to enhance exposure to fine arts for students grade K-12 with the Lutcher Theater. His hard work and dedication qualified Stephen as a Finalist for the 2018 Texas Superintendent of the Year award. 

Before joining the Orangefield Independent School District, Stephen Patterson worked with Stephen F. Austin State University as an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Leadership department while he was pursuing his doctoral degree. Stephen also spent time with the Beaumont Independent School District, where he served as a Middle School Math Teacher and a High School Summer School Teacher. His first position after earning his master’s degree was with West Orange – Cove Consolidated Independent School District as a Middle School Math Teacher and a High School Summer School Teacher. 

Stephen Patterson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with certification in mathematics and his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. He then earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.