Representation Matters

Aisha challenges our thinking and pushes us towards a more nuanced understanding of representation and why it matters. This book is a must-read for anyone genuinely committed to racial equity and representation. -- Dr Muna Abdi * CEO, MA Consultancy Ltd., @Muna_Abdi_PhD * Aisha is an impassioned educator and champion of representation. Her work has been challenging but necessary to encourage any and all individuals to create a nurturing environment of true inclusion and representation. This book will engage and provoke readers to reflect and shape their environments to support true representation and equity. -- Lana Crosbie * senior leader in education, SENCO and equality and diversity lead * Aisha draws on her own experiences as a teacher, parent and leading anti-racism advocate to ask us all to critically reflect upon what representation means in our own practice, and why representation really matters. A must-read for educators everywhere, through reflective activities and case studies, Aisha's experiences guide us throughout, offering us loving, practical and considered suggestions to help develop anti-racist and social-justice-led practice in our own educational spaces. -- Malcolm Richards * educator, scholar-activist, independent doctoral researcher and co-founder of Bookbag * This book should be required reading for all school staff and should feature on every staff library CPD bookshelf. -- Barbara Band, School Library Consultant, Trainer and Advisor * www.barbaraband.com * Aisha's ideal goal for the future is to be in a place where an anti-racist practise is not needed because it is so embedded in the culture and values of a school, that a child will step in and feel like they instantly belong and can be truly themselves. -- Ellie Kendall * Bristol Post * In the crucial book, former assistant principal, campaigner and TEDxBristol speaker Ms Thomas demonstrates how race shapes the experiences of Black, Asian and racially minoritised teachers and pupils in the UK education system, and why representation is fundamental in every school. -- Bethan Andrews * Bristol World * Representation Matters beautifully reflects the work that I and many others do in schools to champion diversity, equity and inclusion. Those looking for a tick sheet of how to become inclusive will be disappointed, but then - as we should all know after the death of George Floyd and the experience of the pandemic - anti-racism requires more heavy lifting than that. And with a consistent, clear and challenging voice that chimed deeply with me as a black, female educator, Aisha Thomas here provides the arguments and the tools to begin to do just that. -- Audrey Pantelis, director, Elevation Coaching and Consulting Ltd * Schools Week * The book is full of timely and necessary content, and is one of the most important books I have read for a long time. -- Adam Marycz, Early Years Educator This is a very important book, no matter where your school is. The content applies to school leaders, experienced and new teachers, and those working with school communities committed to equality and representation. -- Colin Hill * Founder, researcher and editor of UKEdChat *