Dr. Sonal Patel was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services as of June, 2018.  Over her 18 years in San Leandro Unified, Dr. Patel has served as an elementary classroom teacher, literacy specialist, instructional coach, high school associate principal, director, and senior director. With a passion for school reform work, Dr. Patel is excited to integrate current shifts in the national landscape of education in a way that centers authentic learning for students, promotes teacher leadership, innovative professional development, and community engagement.

Dr. Patel has a B.A. in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, and a M.A, in Education from UC Berkeley. She has her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual certification in Spanish, and an Administrative Services Credential. Dr. Patel earned her doctorate in education at Cal State East Bay. She currently serves as a continuing lecturer in UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education, teaching in the Berkeley Educators for Equity and Excellence program.