Menifee resident, educator Patel named Administrator of Year

Sonal Patel, a Menifee resident and former teacher and administrator in Romoland School District, recently received a high honor from one of the state’s top educational technology organizations.

Patel was named Administrator of the Year by Computer-Using Educators (CUE), a nonprofit educational corporation with a membership of 26,000 educators in California and Nevada. Its goal is “to inspire innovative learners in all disciplines, from preschool through college.”

The award was presented on March 19 as part of the Virtual Spring CUE EdTech Conference. For the last two years, Patel has served as digital learning innovation coordinator for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.

After starting her teaching career in the United Kingdom in 2005, Patel moved to the USA and began substitute teaching in the Romoland, Menifee and Hemet school districts in 2008. She accepted a permanent position in Romoland School District in 2010. She later became the first female site technology leader in the district and went on to earn an instructional technology and literacy coaching instructional position.

“After completing my administrative credential program, I went to pursue my dream position of being an educational technology administrator,” Patel said.

According to a news release, Patel’s work is centered around “closing the digital equity gaps for students countywide. Patel supports teachers, coaches and administrators through professional learning opportunities that are focused on blended learning practices. In 2019, Patel established the Inland Empire Computer Science Equity Task Force, which aims to create systematic changes that provide rigorous and inclusive Computer Science education to all students.”

San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre has high praise for Patel.

“Sonal is an exceptional technology leader working to create equitable digital learning environments,” Alejandre said. “She sees the potential in each of our students and actively works to ensure they can be successful in today’s ever-changing, technology-rich world.”

The Administrator of the Year Award is presented to an administrator who has made noteworthy contributions to promoting educational technology within their school, district and/or region and builds a learning environment that promotes ongoing risk-taking and exploration, according to the news release. Honorees are nominated by their CUE affiliate members and selected by the CUE Board, staff and Awards Committee.

“I believe that educational technology opens up doors of opportunities for student innovation and creativity, which will better prepare students for future careers,” said Patel, whose two children attend Harvest Hill STEAM Academy in the Menifee Union School District. “The pandemic has meant that more students have access to technology and more educators are better prepared to use technology to benefit a diversity of students.”