About this episode

Dr. Elida MacArthur discusses her journey and commitment to community-centered leadership in education.

In this episode of Leaders Learning from Leaders, host Steve Barkley speaks with Dr. Elida MacArthur, Superintendent of the Mount Pleasant Elementary School District in East San Jose, California. A leader who has served the same district for more than two decades, beginning as a kindergarten dual language immersion teacher, Dr. MacArthur offers a portrait of community-centered leadership grounded in her own experience and in a deep commitment to the students and families she serves. Dr. MacArthur describes Mount Pleasant as a small district of approximately 1,500 students that sees itself as a beacon and anchor for its community. She traces her commitment to bilingual and dual language education to her own journey, having immigrated from Mexico as a young student whose academic strengths went unrecognized because she did not yet speak English. That experience shaped her conviction that every student deserves to be treated as capable, held to high expectations, and empowered to use their voice. Throughout the conversation, Dr. MacArthur returns to several connected commitments: building self-efficacy in students, creating a sense of belonging for every child and adult, and…

People in this episode

Host: Steve Barkley

Guest: Dr. Elida MacArthur

Topics covered

• community-centered leadership
• bilingual education
• self-efficacy
• student advocacy
• teacher workforce housing

Keywords

• superintendent
• dual language immersion
• education leadership
• student empowerment
• community engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mount Pleasant Elementary School District

Places: East San Jose, California, Mexico

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