Head of Academics

Dr. Nicole Priestly serves as the Head of Academics for SFUSD. Dr. Priestly has over twenty-five years of experience in education, including an extensive background in instructional leadership. She has elementary classroom experience as well as experience as a reading specialist, assistant principal and principal of a large, urban elementary school. As a central office administrator, Dr. Priestly has served as an executive director of Title I schools and an area superintendent, overseeing schools with a high population of English Language Learners.  

Prior to joining SFUSD, Dr. Priestly was the Senior Director of Elementary Programs in Wake County Public Schools. She received her BA and MA in teaching at the University of South Carolina. She earned her specialist degree at the University of Florida and her doctorate in reading education from the University of Maryland, College Park.