Governor-elect Ralph Northam announcing his decision to pick Atif Qarni as Secretary Education at Beville Middle School, Photo: Northam Twitter
Pakistani-American Atif Qarni, a Prince William County Public School teacher and Marine Corps veteran, has been picked by Governor-elect Ralph Northam as Virginia’s next Secretary of Education.
Northam made the announcement on Thursday to a warm welcome, as Qarni has been a known face across Virginia’s mainstream and diverse communities.
Atif Qarni currently teaches civics and economics, U.S History, and mathematics at Beville Middle School in Dale City.
Pakistani-Americans have welcomed Northam’s decision, saying it sends a strong signal of support for Virginia’s hardworking diverse communities.
“This is great news for our state, recognition of Atif’s qualifications, and delivery of one more promise made by Governor-elect Dr. Ralph Northam. On the campaign trail Gov-elect said he will make sure his cabinet would represent the diversity in Virginia’s population and that is exactly what he is doing,” Adnan Bokhari, who serves on the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Law Center, said.
A profile released by the Governor-elect Northam’s office says before his current position, Qarni served Prince William County Public Schools as a GED Night School Instructor, helping individuals in Woodbridge and Manassas achieve their high-school equivalency diplomas.
Qarni was awarded Dale City Teacher of the Year in 2016.
Had a great time at Beville Middle School this afternoon announcing one of their very own as our next Secretary of Education. Congratulations Atif Qarni. pic.twitter.com/eeB3tq3wJp
— Ralph Northam (@RalphNortham) December 21, 2017
Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed Qarni to the Small Business Commission in 2013. He has been a member of the Virginia Education Association since 2008 and ran for House of Delegates in 2013 and Senate of Virginia in 2015. He is a former Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps, Reserves and was deployed to Iraq in 2003 on Active Duty Assignment during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Atif earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology from George Washington University. He earned a Master’s in History and his teaching licensure in secondary education from George Mason University, the Governor-elect’s office said.
