Union people

Early years special needs teacher Lisa Mohd Rofidi is acting president of her NEU branch, runs a SEND community group and has just completed a year as mayor’s consort in her town. Once a special, always a special

What do you love about your job?

I love everything about my job. I love the children’s passion for learning and seeing how education benefits them.

facilitating learning through play and continuous provision. This approach has underpinned the way I teach, and I also strive to create amazing environments to engage children and support their play and learning.

As a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) teacher, I am a firm believer that every child can learn, we just have to find the right way to teach them.

My absolute favourite part of SEND teaching is seeing the children thrive, working hard to support the child and their family collectively, then seeing them achieve a milestone, no matter how small.

As a special needs teacher you have to adapt your teaching and see the world a little differently. Many staff I work with have a motto – once a special, always a special.

What do you love about being in the union?

I joined the union while at university but have only become actively engaged in the last three or four years. In my experience the majority of active members share similar ideals and passions. We believe in teaching for the children and the NEU supports us.

(From left) Sally Kincaid, Lisa and her husband Malik

The union has helped me through a difficult period of mental health due to work. The problem with passionate teachers is they fall harder than most. I couldn’t have got through the last two years without the union, and especially my friend and branch secretary Sally Kincaid, beside me.

What have you been up to lately?

This is an interesting question given the current pandemic. I have been spending time in our new home with my new husband and I have also tried to keep busy with community projects. A small group of us delivered Easter I am an early years teacher and love

eggs to homes displaying rainbows (following lockdown rules), and I have been volunteering at the local foodbank in Selby with my husband.

What is important to you right now?

The most important thing to me right now is everyone keeping safe and well. Like many others I am desperate for some normality – but when it is safe – with my family, friends and amazing dream team in school.

Aside from the current pandemic, inclusivity and equality is important to me, and what I strive to achieve in all situations. I want to live in a peaceful world where your race, religion, disability and sexual orientation do not define who and what you are.

What do you do on your day off?

I love to keep busy, maybe a little too busy sometimes. I like exploring new places and seeing friends and family. I love to be around water whether that’s swimming and a jacuzzi, or a walk on the beach.

Tell us something we don’t know?

I am a Selby town councillor and had the pleasure of supporting my husband Malik, who was mayor of Selby until 26 May, as his consort.

Oh and I hate bananas, like actually really hate... I have a banana phobia!

Kind, gentle James cared for every student

THE NEU sent condolences to the family of teacher James Furlong who was killed in Reading, Berkshire.

James, head of history and government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham, Berkshire, was one of three men killed in Forbury Gardens park on 20 June.

A statement from the school’s co-head teachers, Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce, described James, aged 36, as “wonderfully talented and inspirational”.

They said: “James was a very kind and gentle man; he had a real sense of duty and cared for each and every one of our students. He truly inspired everyone he taught through his passion for his subject and his dedication. He was determined that our students would develop a critical awareness of global issues and in doing so, become active citizens and have a voice.”

They added: “He was a cherished colleague and he will be sadly missed.” Counselling was offered to staff and students at the school.

James was a member of the NEU Wokingham branch and had joined the former NUT in 2006.

Suspect Khairi Saadallah, 25, was being questioned by police in relation to the attack as Educate went to press.