Mike Matsuda, superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) in California, has been redefining what it means to prepare students for the future. Since stepping into his role in 2014, Matsuda has been at the forefront of creating career pathways, fostering student agency, and addressing issues like AI integration and mental health with a deep focus on equity. His efforts have not only earned him recognition as one of Education Week’s “Leaders to Learn From,” but also placed AUHSD as a model district that blends career preparation with civic engagement.
Empowering Students Through Purpose and Voice
Matsuda believes that meaningful education starts by helping students discover their purpose. “It’s all about jobs and Americans, no matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on, care about preparing their children for the workforce,” Matsuda said. But he emphasizes that career preparation must be grounded in student voice and agency. “What is your purpose? It could be you like working with your hands, you want to be a mechanic or carpenter, or you want to go into law or medicine. But you’re not going to be happy if you don’t match your purpose to your career or major.”
To achieve this, AUHSD encourages students to explore their identities and passions through “truncated TED Talks” in English and other core classes. These three-to-five-minute presentations allow students to tell their stories and reflect on their goals. “Every adolescent is asking that question: ‘Who am I? How do I fit in?’ So we give them a space to do that,” Matsuda explained. Teachers are then trained to curate these student narratives into actionable career and academic pathways, ensuring that learning remains relevant and empowering.
AI, Equity, and the Growing Digital Divide
As AI rapidly transforms education and the workforce, Matsuda has positioned AUHSD as a leader in embracing this technology while advocating for equity in access. He recently organized a national AI summit that drew leaders from 30 states, reflecting the urgency to integrate AI into K-12 education. “School leaders are realizing that AI is a needed skill—at least generative AI—and exposure to these amazing tools early on is essential if we’re going to maintain competitiveness worldwide,” Matsuda said. However, he also highlighted the looming gap between wealthy and low-income districts in terms of AI access.
“There’s an anticipated gap between haves and have-nots, and it’s going to get worse,” Matsuda warned. Wealthier districts, he noted, have foundations that can subsidize access to expensive AI tools, while low-income districts struggle to provide these same resources. His recommendation to other districts is to start with a “board resolution around AI, hopefully for a whole child and career preparedness,” followed by the creation of a task force to develop a strategic implementation plan.
Civic Engagement as a Catalyst for Change
One of the hallmarks of Matsuda’s leadership is AUHSD’s emphasis on civic engagement and student empowerment. The district leads California with 17 “democracy schools,” where civic learning is woven into the curriculum. Students not only register to vote but also learn how to engage with societal issues respectfully and critically.
“Our kids learn to disagree without hatred,” Matsuda said. “That’s really the main lesson that’s coming out of our district—it’s okay to disagree, but not to hate.” This approach cultivates not just future leaders, but also empathetic and engaged citizens who understand the importance of discourse and respect in a democratic society.
Addressing Mental Health Through Relevant Learning
Matsuda is also acutely aware of the growing mental health crisis among adolescents, exacerbated by societal pressures and inequities. He points to research from Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, a professor at the University of Southern California and an expert on adolescent neuroscience. Her work highlights how an overemphasis on standardized testing can increase anxiety and disconnect students from meaningful learning.
“If school is fun and interesting, and the things you do reflect your own personal narrative, it has meaning in your life. That has a mitigating factor on mental health,” Matsuda explained. Conversely, low-income students often face double periods of math and reading to compensate for “learning loss,” while wealthier families supplement their children’s education with arts and enrichment. This disparity, Matsuda argues, exacerbates not only academic gaps but also emotional and psychological ones.
Re-Centering Schools as Community Hubs
Matsuda envisions schools as the heart of their communities, a concept embodied in the growing “community school movement.” “Schools are intentionally working with community organizations, including religious institutions, to re-center schools as a public good,” Matsuda said. This movement aims to amplify what is working in education and rebuild trust between schools and communities. “Most districts don’t do a very good job of capturing what is working and amplifying that in the community,” he added.
AUHSD’s efforts have garnered national attention, with 200 visitors touring the district every two months to learn from its approach. Matsuda is optimistic that this momentum can reposition public education as a catalyst for positive change in America. “There’s a lot of energy out there,” he said. “People do want to move in a direction that can reposition America as a front runner in terms of everything that we stand for.”
A Vision for the Future of Public Education
As public education navigates unprecedented challenges, Matsuda remains a steadfast advocate for reimagining how schools prepare students for both career success and civic responsibility. His leadership demonstrates that when schools prioritize student voice, equitable access to technology, and meaningful learning experiences, they don’t just prepare students for the workforce—they prepare them to lead and serve their communities.
Listen to our entire conversation with Mike Matsuda on this week’s episode of the Educaiton Leadership Edge podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.