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Nousheen Yousuf-Sadiq
For Haddonfield Board of Education
Invest in Inclusion
About Nousheen
My family moved to Haddonfield seven years ago. The town’s reputation for excellent education, particularly special education, is what ultimately led us to settle here. My husband is a general surgeon practicing in South Jersey and together we have four children, three of whom are in the district. One of our children has special needs. Ever since his diagnosis at the age of two, we have been persistent about navigating his challenges and working with our communities to be more understanding and inclusive of people with disabilities.
My educational background is in the study of Abrahamic faiths. My previous experience in interfaith dialogue taught me important skills in relating to people who may not share the same beliefs or practices as me, because we meet each other on the values that we share. I’m committed to strengthening our schools to raise great students, responsible citizens, and compassionate community members.
What’s in a Name?
Did you know that Indians often have two names? Their legal name may carry some familial or religious significance while their nickname is what they are commonly known by. My father named me Shaherbano, after a Persian princess who plays an important role in Islamic history. My grandmother, who lived in India at the time, asked that I be named Nousheen, which means “sweet” or “pleasant.” My parents kept my name as planned but honored my grandmother’s wish by calling me Nousheen throughout my life. My name is long, but it’s not one you’ll soon forget! Remember, just look for “Nousheen” on the ballot!
Issues
Facilities and Infrastructure
As a member of the Board of Education, I will pay special attention to our buildings that need updates, and make sure any new construction is functional for the students, staff, and residents by respecting the charm and traditions of our town. With my youngest child being a toddler, our family will be directly impacted by any district decisions on early childhood education, and I hope to offer my perspective on the construction or repurposing of any buildings.
Teacher and Staff Wellness
We are all part of a network that needs to run well for our children to have the best experience possible. As a special needs parent, teachers and related services take on such an important role for us; they really become like family! It's imperative that our educators feel well taken care of so they can be at their best for themselves and our kids. In turn, I hope these efforts will inspire our children to care for their teachers and each other, and strengthen our community as a whole.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Serving as the DE&I Committee Chair at Tatem has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and has given me a unique insight into how important these efforts are to our students. From making sure we have sensory areas for our neurodiverse students to celebrating the different cultures that make up the fabric of our community, when our children have a voice, they feel safe, confident, and valued. This is an important step in preventing HIB occurrences and I hope to keep working on this at the district level.
Learn More
Community Engagement
- Trustee at-Large for the Haddonfield Foundation
- Girl Scout Troop 30193 Co-Leader
- Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) Parent Co-Lead
- Tatem Classroom Room Volunteer
- Tatem Fair Committee
- Appointed DE&I Committee Chair on Tatem PTA, first in the district
- Presentations on Muslim Holidays: Haddonfield Public Library and Markheim Art Center
Special Needs Advocacy and Tatem DE&I Work
- Provided “Sensory Spot” tables at all school events
- Multicultural Night
- Black History Assembly
- Autism Awareness Presentations at all elementary schools with SEPAG Co-Lead, Nancy Sullivan
- Assisted in installing communication board on Tatem Playground
- Autism Awareness Expo, first in the district or borough
Background and Publications
- BA in History, University of Illinois at Chicago
- MA in Religious Studies, Boston University
- Contributor, I Speak for Myself: American Women on Being Muslim, White Cloud Press, 2011
- Contributor,
- Tying the Knot: A Feminist/Womanist Guide to Muslim Marriage in America, Open BU Publications 2021
Awards
and Features
- iCover: A Day in the Life of a Muslim-American COVERed Girl, by Sadaf Syed
- Haddonfield Living Magazine, cover feature
- Awareness and Understanding: Parent Groups Host First Autism Awareness Expo, Haddonfield Sun
- Second place winner MATIN Talks December
- Spirit of WIL: Women in Leadership Award
Contact
If you would like to discuss any concerns you have for the district or are interested in donating, please email Nousheen4BOE@gmail.com
Check back for updates on my
social media pages!
Paid for by Campaign to Elect Nousheen Yousuf-Sadiq