Small circle, big heart Your voice

We are honoured that former teacher & poetry-writer Shuaib Khan has chosen to support us by donating some of the proceeds of his book to Education Support. He tells us in his own words about his teaching career and how poetry has changed his life.

“My name is Shuaib Khan and I was born and raised in Cambridgeshire. I went to my local comprehensive school and would describe myself as a ‘late developer.’ It was only when I was in sixth form that I began to take the idea of becoming a teacher seriously. I suppose this was a time when I was beginning to develop a deeper understanding of the world and reflecting on my own school experience.”

“I was really inspired by one of my sixth form teachers. He was caring, driven, always believed in second chances and gave me self-belief. After many conversations with him, I realised the social justice element of teaching. The fact that our education system, despite its flaws, gave me many incredible opportunities, I simply wanted to be the teacher I was inspired by.”

“I have taught mainly at secondary and across all year groups during my seven years as a teacher. Before this, during my degree, I volunteered at my local secondary school for several years and completed an entire year as a supply teacher prior to my PGCE.”

“The year on supply was incredible. It was challenging but also gave me a real flavour of what teaching is all about. I did supply in over 20 different schools, both primary and secondary, as well as in pupil referral units and alternative provision. If this experience wasn’t going to deter me from becoming a teacher, nothing else would!”

“I enjoyed working with young people. They were my sole focus and priority. I made my lessons all about my pupils, their needs and their progress. I loved developing relationships with my students and watching them grow. “

“Til this day, nothing compares to the feeling of welcoming pupils into the classroom and empowering them with the skills and knowledge they need to get on in life. It is a truly magical feeling.”

“I didn’t enjoy the workload and expectations. If you strip it all away, teaching itself is the best job in the world. It is all the additional red tape and box-ticking that adds to our growing to-do list. I once remember having half a day of PPA time and didn’t spend a second of it doing any planning, preparation and assessment.”

“Workload has always been a problem but I think there is an acceptance across the profession that we are overworked and many of us burn out. I do believe there needs to be a realignment in terms of our focus.”

“The two questions that I always asked myself before I began any task were:

1. How does it impact on staff wellbeing?

2. What effect will it have on pupil progress?”

“In 2019, I was burnt out. I had to take some time away from the profession for personal reasons. I initially came across Education Support through social media but wasn’t sure if I should reach out. After reading some testimonies, I made a phone call.”

“I was met with compassion and warmth from the very first moment. There was advice available on a number of different things including mental health and legal guidance. I felt empowered following this conversation and later that year, I returned to work.”

“Education Support helped rekindle my love for teaching at a time when I was at my lowest.”

“One thing I love about the charity is that they don’t gloss over the issues facing education staff. For example, the annual Teacher Wellbeing Index is a powerful way to get educators and policymakers to focus on what truly matters.”

“When I made contact with them, I was signposted to various organisations that could offer me the bespoke support that I needed. No topic was ever off the table and I loved how I could pick the phone up at any time and someone who understood my circumstances would listen.”

“I have always loved poetry. As far back as primary school when I would read Michael Rosen, I loved the power of words.”

“I remember having a scrapbook full of thoughts, quotes and poems when I was a teen. From long commutes to university and back, to a PPA in the staffroom, to whenever I have 5 minutes to myself, you would rarely see me without a pen in my hand. I suppose I developed an insatiable desire to make sense of the world around me.”

“In March 2022, my little brother was diagnosed with Leukemia. Kasim and I always talked about publishing a book and I wanted to stay true to our promise. So, on what would have been his birthday – August 28th, I published my debut anthology collection to commemorate the life and legacy of Kasim.” classroom and I use writing as a point of reflection. Ultimately, it is an outlet.”

“For the past 12 years education has been through the most difficult period in terms of cuts and shrinking budgets. Making a small donation could help just one teacher get the support they need, or a be vital life for a colleague who is going through a difficult time.”

“Ultimately, I just want to give back to the profession and sector that took a free-school meals EAL child like myself off the streets and gave him the opportunity to prosper. This is my small way of giving back to the teaching community at a time when burnout, stress, and anxiety are rife.” in education. To help commemorate them, the royalties from my book will be donated to charities closest to my heart – Education Support and Blood Cancer UK.”

“I would urge anyone that is struggling to turn to Education Support. Their dedicated team is committed to helping educators.”

“Poetry is my escape from day-today life. I always found that when I am writing, I am trying to articulate my experiences from that day. It is my therapy. Being a reflective practitioner extends beyond the

“The book is dedicated to my two heroes - my Grandpa and little brother, Kasim, they were both what I refer to as ‘hidden heroes’ during my teaching career. Hidden heroes are our loved ones who allow us to complete the duties of our roles as a teacher. They are selfless in everything they do. Whether it’s attending family functions on our behalf, getting a meal ready after we’ve returned home from work, to running errands throughout the day which include anything from childcare, to school runs, to caring for parents. There are hidden heroes

“Please support the cause by purchasing a copy of my book Small Circle, Big Heart, in the knowledge that you will be changing lives. My book is about the transformative power of love and loss, amongst many other things. I hope that it gives you the liberation it has given me.”

Small Circle, Big Heart is available to buy on Amazon