Stephen Waddell joined Birdville as superintendent in March 2002. Prior to joining BISD he served as superintendent for Tuloso-Midway ISD in Corpus Christi for four years and Sunray ISD for three years. He has also been principal and assistant principal with Lancaster ISD and counselor and teacher at Splendora ISD. Dr. Waddell earned his bachelor's from North Texas State University, his master of education at Stephen F. Austin State University and his doctor of education from the University of North Texas.

Dr. Waddell was named Superintendent of the Year in 2008 by the Texas Technology Computer Educator’s Association and was named State Finalist Superintendent of the Year in 2008 by the Texas Association of School Boards. He serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for the CoSN John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation grant. He is also a member of the Texas Visioning Institute.

Dr. Waddell and his wife, Jean, have been married for twenty-nine years and they are the proud parents of two children. Son Jason and his family live in Missouri with their three children and daughter Sarah and her husband live in Tacoma, Washington.