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Dr. Michael McLaughlin has been superintendent of the San Leandro Unified School District since 2013, where he quickly launched district-wide improvements through the development of an action-oriented strategic plan. Prior to San Leandro, Dr. McLaughlin served as superintendent in the John Swett Unified School District, Briggs Elementary School District, and the Etna Union Elementary School District. Dr. McLaughlin has demonstrated a strong capacity for leading large scale organizational change to improve student outcomes.
A third-generation educator and superintendent, McLaughlin received his Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California and has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of San Francisco.
Dr. Collins was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations as of July 1, 2016. He began his career in education as middle school math and science teacher in the Oakland Unified School District. He then served as a high school vice-principal and middle school principal in the east bay. Most recently, he spent five years as Chief Business Official with the Walnut Creek School District.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC San Diego and earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership at Saint Mary’s College of California. He also currently serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Mills College teaching a course on school finance.
Dr. Sonal Patel was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services as of June 2018. Over her many 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, an M.A, in Education from UC Berkeley, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from California State University, East Bay. She has her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual certification in Spanish and an Administrative Services Credential. She currently serves as a continuing lecturer at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education, teaching in the Berkeley Educators for Equity and Excellence program.
Dr. Zanipatin has served San Leandro Unified 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 holds California credentials for multiple subject, bilingual teaching, and administrative services.