I am a Bengali American, lifelong educator and learner who enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, cooking, seeking knowledge, and spending time with my family. I have an older sister and a younger brother, and we grew in Tennessee where my dad worked as a physician and my mom was a homemaker. I have worked in the field of education for the past 14 years, first as a teacher, then as a consultant for school districts, a college-level instructor, and now at the Tennessee Department of Education as the Chief of Staff for the Office of Human Capital. Alhamdulillah, I love my job and am honored to be in public service. I consider myself a practicing Muslim; I pray five times a day, fast once a week, listen to Islamic lectures, etc. I was also an active member of a halaqa for about nine years in Ohio before moving back to Nashville a year ago. My faith is very important to me, but I prefer to focus on the inner dimensions and building a relationship with Allah SWT rather as opposed to rules and fiqh, though I certainly see the value in the latter. I'm interested in issues of social justice and equity want to be a means for good in the world. I would also consider myself an introvert, but am pretty sociable and enjoy spending time with friends or meeting new people. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and French, master's degrees in elementary education and education policy, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology.