Writing a Book about Atheism and Non-Belief for Young People

On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom and Emma are joined by special guest Alom Shaha, a teacher with over 25 years of experience. Alom shares his journey from working in television to rediscovering his passion for teaching and the sense of community it provides.

During the conversation, Alom discusses his upcoming children's book that aims to teach young readers about scientific discoveries, specifically how rainbows are formed (How To Find a Rainbow). Inspired by his children, Alom found it easy to develop the characters in the book, as they were based on his daughters.

The discussion also delves into Alom’s belief that the teaching profession is undervalued when compared to other professions. He expresses his deep frustration with the numerous challenges and immense pressure that teachers constantly face. He also shares his experience writing a book about atheism and non-belief for young people, discussing the positive feedback he received and the importance of allowing people from Muslim backgrounds to openly explore atheism (The Young Atheist’s Handbook). He addresses the complexities of identity and the role Twitter plays in muddying the waters. Reflecting on his upbringing and his children, Alom underscores the importance of nurturing children's curiosity and providing access to resources and supportive environments for learning. He takes responsibility for creating a positive learning environment and hopes that all children can encounter teachers and peers who encourage their thirst for knowledge.

The conversation concludes with Alom sharing the challenges he faced while writing his current book, the constraints placed on him, and his belief that science should be taught in a way that highlights its interconnectedness and cultural significance (Why Don't Things Fall Up?: and Six Other Science Lessons You Missed at School). He emphasizes the need for science to be accessible to everyone, as it allows humans to make sense of the world and share their understanding.

Participants 

Alom Shaha was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London. A science teacher, writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life sharing his passion for science and education with the public. Alom has produced, directed, and appeared in a number of television programs for broadcasters, such as the BBC, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts (NESTA) and the Nuffield Foundation. Alom has represented his community as an elected politician and has volunteered at various charitable organizations. Follow Alom on Twitter @alomshaha and read more about him at www.alomshaha.com

Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead

Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners,  Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership, and Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.