On top of a fulfilling career as an educator in Texas, Stephen Patterson loves to relax and unwind on the links with a game of golf.

For Stephen Patterson, golf was part of life for as long as he could remember. Having the good fortune of growing up relatively close to a golf course, Stephen was introduced to the game at a young age by his father and grandfather. From there, the rest – as they say – is history. Golf became a staple of life for Stephen, and he enjoys the chance to break out his clubs whenever he has the opportunity. 

Alongside his enjoyment of golf, Stephen has a very active personal life in his community. From 2013 – 2016 and 2018-2019, he was involved with the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served as Board Member, Education Chairman, Chairman-Elect, and ultimately Chairman. He was also a board member for the Nelda & H.J.Lutcher Stark Foundation from 2015 – 2019. Additionally, Stephen has been involved in United Way of Orange County on the Board of Directors, Rotary International as a Member through the Paul Harris Fellow, and Leadership Southeast Texas as a board member. 

Throughout his life – alongside refining his golf game and helping in his community – Stephen Patterson is an involved and dedicated educator. Growing up, he knew he wanted to be a teacher, and ultimately he ended up majoring in education for his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. From there, he earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University, a public institution in Nacogdoches, Texas. 

Early in his career, Stephen was involved with several different institutions as an educator. He taught as a Middle School Math Teacher and a High School Summer School Teacher for three years at West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District. From there, he moved onto Beaumont Independent School District, where he held the same positions. Stephen then stepped into a role in higher education while earning his doctorate at Stephen F. Austin State University as an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Leadership Department. From 2002 to 2019, Stephen served as the Orangefield Superintendent of Schools for the Orangefield Independent School District. 

Throughout his career, Stephen Patterson has also published several pieces in journals and international publications on topics including “democratic practices of superintendents,” “the cultural divide,” and “the relationships between school culture and student achievement in Texas public high schools.” Professionally, he’s also involved in several educational organizations, including Friends of Texas Public Schools, Texas Association of Community Schools, and Texas Association of School Administrators.