Dr. Zanipatin has worked in San Leandro Unified for the past five years, serving in a variety of administrative capacities, including Director of Teaching, Learning and Educational Equity and the Director of Family and Student Support Services. She has been a key leader behind integrated English language development efforts across the district including the development of the SLUSD English Learner Master Plan. She has also led large scale improvements in district-wide professional learning and parent education efforts during her tenure in SLUSD. 

With a career in education that spans two decades, her previous experience includes administrative and teaching roles in the Hayward Unified and Alameda Unified School Districts. She has served as a Spanish bilingual elementary classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and Coordinator of English Learner Services and State/Federal Programs. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Sociology and Ethnic Studies from UC Riverside and an M.S. in Education from CSU East Bay. She attained her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a focus on social justice from CSUEB. She also has California credentials for multiple subject, bilingual teaching, and administrative services.