Rosalinda Silva, Ed.D.
Rosalinda Silva, Ed.D. is a strategic and results-driven educational leader with more than 30 years of experience in public education. She currently serves as Assistant Director while also contributing as an Adjunct Professor at California Lutheran University. Dr. Silva holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and has built a distinguished career spanning roles as a classroom teacher, English Learner specialist, Teacher on Special Assignment, principal, and district-level administrator. Her academic foundation includes graduate studies at UCLA, and her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to equity, accountability, and system-wide improvement.
Throughout her career, Dr. Silva has demonstrated expertise in district-level oversight of accountability, compliance, and state and federally funded fiscal management. Her work includes leading Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) development, supporting multilingual learner programs, overseeing dual language immersion implementation, and delivering professional development in areas such as PBIS, Data Teams, and teacher preparation. With core competencies in systems leadership, fiscal stewardship, human capital development, and assessment, she is widely recognized for building sustainable structures that strengthen instructional quality and support educators at all stages of their careers.
Dr. Silva’s leadership is grounded in both scholarship and lived experience. Her doctoral research focused on teacher preparation through the lens of adult learning theory and culturally responsive pedagogy. A former English learner herself, she brings a personal understanding of the transformative power of education and the importance of belief, mentorship, and opportunity. Her contributions have been recognized through honors such as PBIS Administrator of the Year and state and national recognition for exemplary professional development school partnerships. Guided by a passion for innovation and service, Dr. Silva remains dedicated to advancing equitable outcomes for students and communities.
• BCLAD
• California Lutheran University - EdD
• NASUP
• ACSA
• CALSA
• CAASFEP
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my professional growth to a foundational work ethic and a relentless drive for excellence. I am deeply committed to continuous self-improvement and strive to lead by example, maintaining a standard of integrity that serves as a model for both my team and my family.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received was to lean into my potential. During my first year as a principal, a mentor with similar experience helped me implement effective systems and navigate leadership challenges. My superintendent also encouraged me to move into administration when I was content teaching in the classroom and supporting my colleagues with academic coaching. Trusting that guidance allowed me to create change on a broader scale and positively impact more students.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For young women entering the profession, my advice is simple but essential: hold onto the joy of teaching. Keep students at the center of every decision, even when resources are limited and the work feels heavy. Joy, purpose, and balance are not luxuries in education—they are necessities for lasting impact and fulfillment.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Education, particularly in the post-COVID era, is facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Schools are navigating staffing shortages, an increased reliance on technology, and the urgent need to prepare students for a rapidly evolving job market—one that, in many cases, does not yet exist and whose long-term impact remains uncertain. These realities make it more critical than ever to invest in educators, not only by recruiting talent, but by meaningfully supporting, inspiring, and retaining teachers who are central to student success.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me, both professionally and personally, are balance, kindness, and integrity. Outside of work, I prioritize restoration through going on walks, baking, and cheering on a good baseball game. These moments of balance allow me to show up as a better leader and a better human. I also emphasize these values at home, especially with my sons. I always encourage them to be kind and to lead with integrity. Being able to stand by your decisions and feel at peace with them at the end of the day matters deeply to me—you have to be comfortable with the choices you make when you lay your head on your pillow at night.
Locations
Moorpark Unified School District
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360