Dr. Gary Waddell was appointed permanent Superintendent in January 2023 and served as the Interim Superintendent of Santa Clara Unified School District starting in July 2022. He has previously served as Deputy Superintendent of the San Mateo County Office of Education where he oversaw instructional services, assessment and accountability, early learning, STEAM, and environmental literacy, among other areas. He also served as Associate Superintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education where he led the Equity and Educational Progress Division overseeing public affairs, media and communication, assessment and accountability, state and federal programs, and inclusion initiatives.

Dr. Waddell’s career has been focused on closing achievement and opportunity gaps through programs of excellence. He is a past Chair of California’s statewide Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC), statewide Arts Committee, and statewide Mathematics Committee. He has been recognized with awards in the areas of human rights, leadership, and closing achievement and opportunity gaps. He was recognized as the statewide counselor of the year earlier in his career and has been honored by the San Mateo Board of Supervisors for his leadership focused on closing achievement and opportunity gaps.

Dr. Waddell holds a doctorate in educational leadership in addition to advanced degrees in school administration, school counseling, and drama. He has over 35 years of service in public schools.