Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent, Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson

Stephen earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Arizona and his master's degree in education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He lives with his wife, Tessa, and their 6 children.

Stephen previously worked a career technical education teacher in the Deer Valley Unified School District.

Stephen (Steve) Watson currently serves as County Superintendent of Schools in Maricopa County. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his second term. 

Candidate website

Believes in being fiscally responsible by focusing dollars on the classroom. Supports prioritizing school funding for direct educational purposes.

Supports prioritizing school funding for direct educational purposes.

Supports providing free educational resources to teachers, encouraging them to "take these materials back to their students" for hands-on learning and reverse engineering.

As Superintendent, helped create a resource center that provides free materials and resources to teachers.

- Supports prioritizing school funding for direct educational purposes.
- As Superintendent, helped create a resource center that provides free materials and resources to teachers.

School Facilities & Resources

Believes in creating a safe and loving classroom environment and supports access to quality mental health care professionals for students.

Advocates for safe classroom environments and supports access to quality mental health care professionals for students.

Believes in emphasizing relationship building and trauma-responsive strategies to support student wellbeing. As an educator, created therapeutic learning environments in classrooms.

As Superintendent, ensured staff members were trained in trauma-response to create safer learning environments.

- Advocates for safe classroom environments and supports access to quality mental health care professionals for students.
- As Superintendent, ensured staff members were trained in trauma-response to create safer learning environments.

Student Wellbeing

Believes focusing on CTE programs does not hinder college attendance. Cites data showing 91% of high school graduates with 2-3 CTE credits enroll in college and CTE students have a 93% graduation rate.

Believes career technical education programs does not have a negative effect on college attendance and Jobs for Arizona Graduates (JAG) program is an important resource for recent high school graduates.

The candidate's website says, "JAG’s mission is to “help young people stay in school and to acquire the academic, personal, leadership and vocational skills they will need to be successful upon graduation.” They do terrific work supporting students as they graduate and then transition out of high school into positive experiences. These experiences may include finding gainful employment or attending college or technical schools. You can find out more about Jobs for Arizona Graduates by clicking here."

Believed the Jobs for Arizona Graduates (JAG) program is important in helping high school graduates transition to the workforce, college, or technical schools. 

Believes academic pressures have shifted focus from the arts to math and science. Supports strong art programs, stating they enhance STEM learning and citing examples like Einstein and Franklin's musical backgrounds.

Advocates for strong art programs in addition to focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 

Believes in giving students a voice in their education by surveying their interests and developing courses based on their input.

Wants to allow students to give input on their interests and develop courses based on their input.

Believes in providing greater resources for dyslexic students and employing diverse teaching techniques to address individual learning needs. Supports using specific strategies like the Orton Gillingham approach for reading challenges.

Advocates for greater resources for dyslexic students and using diverse teaching techniques to address individual learning needs. 

Believes in diversifying school curriculum by offering innovative classes like robotics. Supports practical, hands-on learning experiences to enhance student engagement and skills.

Believes in diversifying school curriculum by offering innovative classes that will keep students engaged. 

Supports reimagining educational environments in Juvenile Detention Centers.

Supports creating an engaging curriculum for students in juvenile detention centers.

- Believes career technical education programs does not have a negative effect on college attendance and Jobs for Arizona Graduates (JAG) program is an important resource for recent high school graduates.
- Advocates for strong art programs in addition to focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 
- Wants to allow students to give input on their interests and develop courses based on their input.
- Advocates for greater resources for dyslexic students and using diverse teaching techniques to address individual learning needs. 
- Believes in diversifying school curriculum by offering innovative classes that will keep students engaged. 
- Supports creating an engaging curriculum for students in juvenile detention centers.

School Curriculum

Believes teachers should have autonomy and creativity to inspire students. Supports freeing teachers from programs catering to the "lowest common denominator."

Believes teachers should have more choice and use creativity to inspire students.

Believes in recognizing and sharing successful educational practices to improve teacher training and support. As County Superintendent, worked to highlight exemplary education models in Maricopa County.

Wants teachers, superintendents, legislators, and other leaders to share successful educational practices to improve teacher training and support. 

Believes teachers are "profoundly talented and effective leaders" who should be supported to excel for students. Supports addressing teacher pay, shortages, and training to enhance educational outcomes.

Supports addressing teacher pay, shortages, and training.

- Believes teachers should have more choice and use creativity to inspire students.
- Wants teachers, superintendents, legislators, and other leaders to share successful educational practices to improve teacher training and support. 
- Supports addressing teacher pay, shortages, and training.

Teachers

Believes "school choice is critical" for families to find the best academic environment. Supports allowing families to choose between public, charter, and private schools.

Believes "one size does not fit all" in education and supports school choice for families.

Believes students in rural areas lack awareness of diverse career opportunities. Supports expanding educational access to expose children to various professions beyond their immediate community.

Supports increasing literacy in rural communities by collaborating with the County Library District as part of the Read On Arizona initiative.

Supports increasing literacy in rural communities by collaborating with the Read On Arizona initiative.

- Believes "one size does not fit all" in education and supports school choice for families.
- Supports increasing literacy in rural communities by collaborating with the Read On Arizona initiative.

Access to Education

As of June 20, 2024, Stephen (Steve) Watson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Endorsements

Twitter

Facebook

Stephen (Steve) Watson

Stephen (Steve) Watson is currently County Superintendent of Schools in Maricopa County. He was elected in 2016 and is serving his second term. 

Believes in ensuring proper financial management for school districts, including conducting audits and utilizing expert staff to address financial issues.

Believes school funding is crucial and notes that K-12 education in Arizona is expected to receive $87 million less from the USDOE in 2020. Suggests this information is useful for discussions about school finances.

Believes improving student well-being leads to better mental health, attendance, behavior, and academic achievement. Said, "we saw an increase in overall mental well-being, increased attendance, a decrease in serious behavior incidents, and an increase in academic achievement."

Believes in supporting children with reading difficulties and obtaining necessary resources for those diagnosed with dyslexia.

Believes teacher retention is hindered by low pay, large class sizes, and increasing workloads. Plans to use survey data to help school administrators improve teacher retention.

Supports providing resources and training for teachers, including distributing COVID protection equipment and hosting online professional development. As County Superintendent, created an online message board for teachers to share ideas and experiences in online education.

Believes in supporting teachers by providing necessary resources, especially technology, through partnerships like the one with Amazon. As County Superintendent, initiated the STEM Resource Center to address resource shortages in classrooms.

Believes teachers should be trusted partners in education and support families rather than replace them. Said, "When done right, our teaching will not only enhance the life of the individual child, but buoy up the family as a whole."

Believes many teachers were unaware of scientific research due to limited funding and lack of communication. Said, "Lots of teachers kept on doing what they were doing because no one told them to do anything different."

Believes in the importance of strong human interaction between teachers and students. Said, "During COVID, I consistently advocated for in-person learning."

Believes in using data to guide teacher training and staff development decisions. Supports addressing teacher pay and shortages through informed strategies.

Believes in providing educational opportunities for students whose needs are unmet by traditional schools. As County School Superintendent, leads a district focused on supporting students with attendance issues and academic delays.

As County School Superintendent, connected students to diverse career options through video conferencing and classroom visits. Believes in expanding students' career visions by exposing them to various industries.

Believes in appointing governing board members who respect community values and parent choice. As Maricopa County School Superintendent, ensures student-centered decision-making.

Believes adaptive software and online learning can benefit students with dyslexia. Plans to keep children in online education until schools reopen.

Believes access to education requires addressing digital divides and ensuring in-person learning for young students. As County Superintendent, collaborated with organizations to provide internet access and devices to families, and coordinated with health leaders to safely reopen schools.

Believes the biggest impact of COVID-19 on education is unpredictability. As County Superintendent, mobilized resources to provide internet access and devices to families, and now focuses on safely returning students to in-person learning.

Stephen earned his bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Arizona and his master's degree in education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He lives with his wife and their 6 children.

Wants to create an engaging curriculum for students in juvenile detention centers.

Supports school choice, stating "one size does not fit all for my family, nor does it for any family."

- Believes career technical education programs does not have a negative effect on college attendance and Jobs for Arizona Graduates (JAG) program is an important resource for recent high school graduates.
- Advocates for strong art programs in addition to focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 
- Wants to allow students to give input on their interests and develop courses based on their input.
- Advocates for greater resources for dyslexic students and using diverse teaching techniques to address individual learning needs. 
- Believes in diversifying school curriculum by offering innovative classes that will keep students engaged. 
- Wants to create an engaging curriculum for students in juvenile detention centers.
- Supports school choice, stating "one size does not fit all for my family, nor does it for any family."

Stephen (Steve) Watson was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix and attended schools in the Cartwright, Alhambra, Washington, and Glendale Union High School Districts, as well as Glendale Community College and the University of Arizona, where he earned a B.A. in Spanish. He also holds a M.A. in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is married with six school-age children, and his family resides in Maricopa County, Arizona, where his children attend schools in the Paradise Valley Unified School District.

Stephen (Steve) Watson is the Maricopa County School Superintendent, a position he has held since being elected in November 2016. Prior to his current role, he was a teacher for 15 years in the Deer Valley Unified School District, where he taught Career Technical Education at both middle and high school levels. He has also appointed over 90 governing board members to school board vacancies throughout Maricopa County.

Stephen (Steve) Watson was elected as the Maricopa County School Superintendent in November 2016 and has been serving in that role since. During his tenure, he has appointed over 90 governing board members to school board vacancies throughout Maricopa County. There is no mention of him serving on any specific committees or running for other offices in the provided information.

Believes removing funding and staffing barriers can enable schools to offer high-interest enrichment classes.

Believes in donating surplus school supplies rather than discarding them. Supports responsible management of school resources to benefit the community.

The candidate's website says, "In August of 2020 The Arizona Republic asked the Maricopa County School Superintendent candidates a series of questions. How would you improve the financial accountability of schools and governing boards? The first tool I have as County School Superintendent is to appoint fiscally responsible school board members in the event of a vacancy. In education, fiscal responsibility means focusing our …"

The candidate's website says, "Community Laptop Drive for Education – Greater Phoenix Chamber of Foundation 4/2020"

Believes federal funding for Arizona's K-12 education is insufficient, noting a projected $87 million decrease in 2020.

Believes the social-emotional and educational benefits of in-person instruction outweigh health risks. Said, "Our kindergartener launched his academic career on a laptop, pretty disengaged with learning and critical interactions with his peers."

Believes "we have a moral obligation to care for, educate and inspire the kids in juvenile detention." Supports ensuring that detained high school students receive education and care during their average 22-day stay.

Believes schools are essential for students' mental well-being by providing social interactions, success opportunities, and relationships with caring adults. Said, "For some children, school may be the only place where they have these experiences."

Believes students face unprecedented challenges impacting their mental health, including COVID, screen time, smartphones, social media, bullying, and childhood trauma. Supports addressing these issues to improve student wellbeing.

Believes student wellbeing is paramount, emphasizing the importance of kind, creative teachers, engaging projects, and a strong school community. Supports focusing on these aspects rather than state test scores.

Believes in a curriculum that emphasizes research-proven literacy programs, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Supports standards and testing to ensure educational effectiveness.

Believes students need exposure to diverse careers to develop a strong STEM identity. Plans to enhance STEM education by introducing students to various STEM professionals.

Believes career and technical education is crucial for engaging students and preparing them for the workforce. Supports exposing students to diverse fields, such as technology and engineering in modern farming.

Believes teaching children to read and write is crucial for accessing publicly available knowledge. Supports critical analysis skills in education to utilize internet and technology resources effectively.

Believes in showcasing innovative school programs, such as immersion and inquiry-based learning. Supports adapting successful educational models like those at Cave Creek USD and Zaharis Elementary.

- The county superintendent advises schools and teachers on student data usage, staff development, school curriculum, and technology to improve student performance.
- The county superintendent manages the county's public school budget and ensures proper tracking and reporting. 
- The county superintendent oversees school district board members and helps administer all school elections.
- The superintendent is elected in a partisan election for a four-year term. 

Oversees K-12 public schools and manages the education budget.