Why Representation Matters with Aisha Thomas, Mind the Gap, Ep. 57 (S3E13)

For this episode, special guest Aisha Thomas joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss representation. The conversation focuses on Aisha’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work and expertise in training educators to increase representation, develop inclusive curriculum, and create a framework for anti-racism/anti-prejudice environments.

In part one of the episode, Aisha explores how she came to her ideas on why representation matters through stories of her lived experiences, exercises, and pedagogy surrounding DEI.

In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses addressing identity in the classroom. This part of the discussion focuses on what students and teachers take into the classroom. Aisha discusses how curriculum, classroom practices, and student engagement can make a difference in students’ value of themselves and their education.

About the participants:

Aisha Thomas is a teacher, author, speaker, and leader. In September 2016, Aisha became an Assistant Principal at an inner-city secondary school in Bristol. She is also an educational activist specializing in race and anti-racist practice. She founded Representation Matters, an organization dedicated to challenging the lack of representation and inequality in schools. Aisha is the author of Representation Matters: Becoming an anti-racist educator. Follow Aisha on Twitter @itsaishathomas.

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, 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 is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to 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, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.