The Prince William County School Board has appointed Dr. Babur Lateef, a known Pakistani-American advocate for high quality education, as the Interim School Board Chair.
“It is a true honor to be selected from the group of 20 highly qualified applicants, who all demonstrated a passion for education and a deep commitment to our community,” Dr. Lateef, an ophthalmologist, who is a member of the Spark Foundation’s Board of Directors, said.
“As a concerned citizen I will commit to working with each board member, and all concerned parents, teachers and staff on issues of concern and towards our vision of a world class education,” he added, according to a statement.
Pakistani-Americans have hailed the appointment of Dr. Lateef as interim head of the County, saying it acknowledges the and highlights the important role the community plays toward development.
This is the second heartwarming news for the vibrant Pakistani-American community in Washington area. Another Pakistani-American Atif Qarni, a former teacher, is serving as Virginia’s Education Secretary in Governor Ralph Northam’s cabinet.
Besides being active in local parent teacher organizations, Dr. Lateef has also had the distinction to serve as the Board of Visitors for the University of Virginia.
“I will commit to doing this with full civility and in the spirit of always first finding our common ground and using that as our starting point,” Lateef said, according to a statement posted on Blue Virginia website.
His wife, Tarannum Lateef, a Pediatric Neurologist, has also been active in the County school system, and served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council. The couple have four children, studying in schools.
“Our teachers are our greatest resources,” Dr. Lateef said, while making a pitch as candidate for interim chair of the board earlier this month.
