MARLBOROUGH – Rupal Patel has been announced as the next principal of Jaworek Elementary School, taking the role after 16 years spent in the Marlborough Public Schools.
The announcement came at a Marlborough School Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Patel spoke during that meeting, noting her excitement for this transition.
“My journey to this point has been somewhat unconventional, but I’m ready to take the next step and work with the other elementary principals and the new superintendent to make Marlborough and Jaworek all that it can be,” she said.
New principal boasts long resume in Marlborough
Patel began her career in 2007 as a paraprofessional at Jaworek. She accepted an English learner (EL) teaching position the following year.
Patel has since worked in a number of other roles, including time as the district’s supervisor of remote learning and as the EL coordinator and the Akiruno Exchange Program adviser at Whitcomb Middle School. She has most recently served as the EL coordinator for Marlborough’s Jaworek and Kane Schools this year.
Patel was also the president of the Marlborough Educators Association from 2014 to 2020.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Mary Murphy, who was recently selected as Marlborough’s next superintendent, filled in for outgoing Superintendent Michael Bergeron at the School Committee’s meeting last week, welcoming Patel as part of the superintendent’s report.
Murphy said that Bergeron has known Patel for more than eight years and has always considered her leadership and voice an important part of Marlborough Public Schools.
“He makes this appointment with great pleasure, and is excited that this announcement is being shared with the community here,” Murphy said.
School Committee members celebrate Patel
Patel will replace current Jaworek Principal Ron Sanborn, who was named last month as Marlborough’s next Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction.
Sanborn was recently honored as the Massachusetts School Administrators Association’s (MSAA) Elementary Principal of the Year.
“We all know what the research says about success by our students in elementary school, and what happens if kids aren’t successful,” Bergeron wrote in a press release shared by the MSAA. “I sleep better every night knowing Ron Sanborn will move mountains, challenge the status quo, and change the lives of our kids in Marlborough.”
Now rising to lead Jaworek, Patel earned praise last week, with School Committee member Katherine Hennessey congratulating her.
Hennessey said Patel has done an incredible job to date in Marlborough, adding that she cannot wait to see what Patel does for Jaworek’s students and staff.
“I’m thrilled for you because I feel like I’ve watched you along the way, in so many facets, really be a true asset to this district,” Hennessey said.
School Committee member Denise Ryan also congratulated Patel, calling her appointment a great example of promoting from within the district.
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