Empowering Students, Reimaging Education & Building Inclusive Communities
Supporting education and innovation.
Welcome to the digital home of Michael Matsuda, a nationally recognized educational leader whose innovative and compassionate approaches are redefining what public education can achieve. As the Superintendent of Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD), Michael Matsuda championed student activism, career pathways, and equity-driven practices to ensure every young person has the tools to succeed in life and career.
About Us
Michael Matsuda is more than an educator; he is a catalyst for change. Inspired by his family’s resilience—marked by his mother’s internment during World War II—Michael has dedicated his life to creating an inclusive, compassionate, and opportunity-filled education system.
Since 2014, he has led AUHSD, serving over 29,000 students in one of the nation’s most diverse districts. His work goes beyond the classroom, tackling chronic absenteeism, mental health challenges, and learning loss while fostering civic engagement and career readiness. Recognized as a “Leader to Learn From” by Education Week, Michael believes in preparing students not only for college but also for meaningful careers and a life of purpose.
Key Achievements
Civic Engagement: Over 10 AUHSD schools have earned the prestigious “Democracy School” designation, empowering students to address real-world issues like climate change, immigration, and mental health.
Innovative Career Pathways: Partnered with industry leaders like Google and Hulu to offer programs in AI, cybersecurity, and biotechnology, ensuring students graduate with cutting-edge skills.
Equity-Driven Leadership: Pioneered inclusive programs to support underserved students, including the homeless and first-generation immigrants.
Transformative Impact: Achieved a 25-percentage-point drop in high school dropout rates and a 47% reduction in suspensions in four years.
Explore Michael’s work
Thought Leadership
Michael’s writings tackle the most pressing issues in education, including:
Empowering Youth Activism: Civic engagement as a cornerstone of academic success.
Tackling Learning Loss: Practical, community-based solutions for systemic challenges.
Podcasts & Interviews
Dive deeper into Michael’s philosophy and transformative ideas through conversations with education thought leaders like Dr. Pedro Noguera and Michael Fullan.
“When I think of Mike Matsuda, the words that come to mind are courage and compassion.”
— Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, Assistant Vice Chancellor, UCI School of Education