Neighborhood Villages has appointed Binal Patel as its new executive director.
In a significant move for the early childhood education sector, Binal Patel has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Neighborhood Villages.
Patel, an Indian American educator, embarked on her career in education after a life-changing event. The unexpected death of a friend served as a catalyst for her career change, inspiring her to devote her professional life to education.
Her journey began in a preschool classroom, where she worked as an Assistant Teacher. Despite lacking formal training in education, Patel found a great mentor and director who instilled confidence in her and encouraged her to trust her instincts.
Patel's educational background includes a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from New York University and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of California, San Diego. Her passion for education was further fuelled when she decided to pursue a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education at NYU.
Prior to her new role, Patel served as the chief program officer at Neighborhood Villages, a nonprofit providing affordable, high-quality early education and care. In this position, she gained valuable experience and insight into the organisation, making her an ideal candidate for the Executive Director role.
In her new role, Patel will lead strategic planning, program implementation, policy work, and efforts to scale innovations such as the Registered Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship program for teachers and directors. She will also oversee the development of a new strategic plan for Neighborhood Villages, ensuring it stays true to its vision while navigating the current landscape.
Patel brings a unique blend of hands-on teaching experience and leadership in expanding and improving early childhood education systems. She is also a mother of two children, providing her with a personal understanding of the challenges faced by working parents.
Patel's career path is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and a willingness to learn. Her journey from a Marketing Analyst to a respected educator and leader in the field of early childhood education serves as an inspiration for many.
Under Patel's leadership, Neighborhood Villages is poised to make significant strides in the realm of early childhood education, bringing effective innovations to scale in partnership with government and other stakeholders.
[1] - New York University [2] - University of California, San Diego [3] - Neighborhood Villages
- Binal Patel's decision to pursue a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education at New York University (NYU) was a pivotal step in her personal growth and lifelong commitment to education-and-self-development.
- As the new Executive Director of Neighborhood Villages (3), Binal Patel will leverage her passion for education-and-self-development, demonstrated by her Master's degree from NYU and years of experience, to drive personal growth and success for the organization's teachers, directors, and students alike.
