Trish Walsh is the Director of Humanities & STEM in the Educational Services Division of the Orange County Department of Education and has been a public educator for over 24 years, having previously served as a principal, assistant principal, and teacher. She oversees teams focused on literacy & language, history/social science/civics, arts education, arts & disability, gifted & talented education, physical education, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, AVID, and the statewide college application campaign known as FutureReady CA.

Trish and her teams work to support thriving educational communities that encourage students to better their world, while also working toward the broader OCDE vision of educating the whole child and leading the nation in college and career readiness. Trish is passionate about literacy across the content areas and empowering educators to help students find their strength and joy in learning. In addition, she is committed to helping educators and leaders use sustainable systems to positively impact educational environments. 

The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) serves the county’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 440,000 students. Along with providing direct instruction to Orange County students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE supports local districts with an array of services necessary for their operations, including professional development, high-speed internet access and security, legal and fiscal guidance, payroll systems, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, and student enrichment. The department’s vision is that “Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.”