Union people Ashraf Uddin is a design and technology teacher and NEU rep at The Warren School in Barking and Dagenham, London.
No longer business as usual What do you love about your job?
Teaching is a profession like no other; no two days are ever the same. Planning fun lessons and seeing learners engaged is very satisfying. Teachers are constantly developing new skills to meet the needs of students. We have the opportunity to inspire them and make a difference to their lives.
What do you love about being in the union?
As well as a school rep I’m also the district health and safety officer. I have always been an active member of the NEU and it’s lovely being part of a network of reps who are supportive and can offer advice and guidance.
What have you been up to lately?
It’s no longer business as usual. I have been teaching online, going into school on a rota basis and juggling home schooling. I’ve volunteered with St John Ambulance for 20 years, and during the pandemic I received training to look after Covid-19 patients. I work evening shifts at Brentwood Hospital, helping with clinical observations, taking patients’ blood pressure, and assisting with electrocardiogram (ECG) tests. At weekends, I work 12-hour shifts supporting the ambulance service, responding to 999 calls and transporting patients to hospital. This is vital work at a time when our NHS is stretched to the limit.
Ashraf at his ‘other’ job – evening and 12-hour weekend shifts volunteering for St John Ambulance
What’s important to you right now?
That we look after ourselves and our families and keep safe. I also want to support our NHS by delivering medicine to people who are shielding. It’s a real community team effort to take care of each other.
What do you do on your day off? During lockdown, it usually involves
gardening, spending time with my family or doing DIY around the house.
Tell us something that we don’t know. My two hens, Rainbow and Snowy, lay fresh eggs every morning, which taste so much better than eggs bought from a shop. My children Amelia, Jamil, Sami and Zain love looking after them.
NEU member Tarlochen becomes mayor TEACHER and councillor Tarlochen Singh-Mohr (left) has become the new mayor of Broseley, a town in Shropshire. Cllr Singh-Mohr was elected in May and, as the first Black person to be voted onto the local council, and now the first person of Asian heritage to be elected mayor of Broseley, he describes his appointment as “a big achievement”. The town has a rich history – recorded in the Domesday Book. “I’m incredibly proud of where I live. I hope to make the town proud of me,” Cllr
Singh-Mohr told Educate. As part of his work as mayor he hopes to promote tourism to the town. As well as carrying out his mayorly duties he also teaches film and media studies full time at South Staffordshire College. “I didn’t go into education until I was in my forties. In fact, I left school without any qualifications. I always tell my students ‘education is for everyone, but at the right time for them’.” n Join the NEU Councillors Network and help us shape the future of education. Join online at neu.org.uk/cllrs or email cllrs@neu.org.uk educate Your magazine from the National Education Union (NEU)
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