Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell announced October 21,2011 that Javaid Saddiqi, Principal at Robious Middle School had been appointed as Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Javid, a member of VASSP, will assume his new duties in November. Javaid’s response, when asked about making the transition from building administrator to the Governor’s Cabinet was typical of strong leaders in Virginia. ” During my tenure as a school administrator in Chesterfield County, I made it my goal to insure all students were afforded rigorous and meaningful learning experiences. This position will afford me the opportunity to share that commitment with the entire commonwealth on behalf of Secretary Fornash.” With respect to his new duties and responsibilities, Javaid commented ” I look forward to working with the Secretary of Education and education agencies and stakeholders on education related issues facing the Commonwealth today. I am excited to work over the next two years to achieve Governor McDonald’s goal of creating more opportunity and innovation in K-12 education for Virginia schoolchildren – this will definitely keep me very busy.”
Before joining the McDonnell administration, Javaid Siddiqi spent 12 years with Chesterfield County Public Schools. During his time in Chesterfield, Siddiqi served as a high school teacher, middle school assistant principal, and high school assistant principal. Most recently, he served as the principal of Robious Middle School where he led the implementation of Expeditionary Learning, a nationally recognized school reform model.
Siddiqi received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his masters degree from Virginia State University. Currently, he is pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a native of Chesterfield and is a graduate of Virginia public schools. He is married and has two children.
