‘Miss, You Just Get It’: Representation in the Classroom

Years ago, I delivered an assembly to a group of Year 10 girls about the importance of exercise and sport for their wellbeing and personal development. At the time, I was working at a school where over 60% of students were of South Asian heritage. I had recently qualified as a personal trainer, and every Thursday afternoon, I led fitness sessions for colleagues - something I loved and used to bring people together.

What I didn’t realise then was the quiet impact those sessions were having. As I taught in the sports hall, I noticed students gathering at the doors and along the sides of the room—not laughing, as one might assume, but watching with clear interest and admiration. They weren’t just watching the class; they were watching me.

After that assembly, in which I referenced the only form of sporting representation I had growing up - Jess Bhambra from Bend It Like Beckham (still my favourite film) - one student approached me and said, “Miss, you just get it.” At the time, I wasn’t sure what she meant. Only years later did I truly understand: she saw herself in me.

Even now, South Asian Muslim women remain underrepresented in education, fitness, wellbeing, and leadership. To many, our presence still challenges the “norms” of representation—and that makes it even more meaningful when we show up.



The Power of Representation

Recently, I was invited to deliver a keynote at a Women in Leadership conference. Before I spoke, two students presented, one of whom was also of South Asian descent. Her brilliance was remarkable - her confidence, presence, and articulate delivery left me in awe. I remember thinking she might one day be Prime Minister!

But what struck me most wasn’t her delivery; it was her references. She drew inspiration from women like Sangeeta Myska, Anita Desai, and many other South Asian role models she’d grown up seeing. Listening to her, I reflected on that assembly years ago - long before Instagram and social media visibility - and thought, how wonderful, yet how sad. Wonderful that representation is growing, but sad that it remains limited.

For me, Jess Bhambra was the only face I could relate to. For her, however, there were many. That shift - however gradual - gives hope. But it’s also a reminder that representation still needs active work.

This isn’t a sob story; it’s a call to action. For South Asian educators, leaders, and professionals everywhere: we hold a responsibility. We must represent the values we want our youth to embody - education, leadership, health, wellbeing, and self-belief. Advocating for your identity is not division; it’s a form of equity in a system still structured unequally.


Finding Purpose and Disrupting the Norm

I’ve now spent nearly two decades in education. I was the first in my family to attend university, and I stumbled into teaching through a PGCE that, at the time, felt like the “easy option.” In reality, it turned out to be the perfect path. It hasn’t always come with big financial rewards, but it’s given me something far richer: a strong sense of purpose, meaningful opportunities, and deep connections that continue to remind me why this work matters. And yes, I mention money because, as a South Asian, economic growth is important - if you know, you know.

Throughout my career, I’ve tried to make sure South Asian students - and all global majority students - see that they belong in education. They deserve knowledge, communication, and support that understand their culture, their challenges, and their strengths. It’s time to disrupt the narrow narrative of what is considered “normal.”

At under 30, I became one of the youngest members of my school’s senior leadership team - one of only two women and the only South Asian member. I was never made to feel like a token, and for that, I remain deeply grateful. But I now see just how rare that experience is across the sector.

That’s why organisations and networks like The Belonging Effect, BAMEed, Mission 44 and the South Asian Educators Network are so vital. They amplify voices, foster connection, and push for change - ensuring we’re not just invited to the table but contributing meaningfully and helping rewrite the narrative.


Continuing to “Get It”

I’ve been fortunate to experience leadership at every level—mainstream, further, and higher education. My students have been my biggest teachers, constantly reminding me of the value of visibility and belief. Their encouragement has pushed me beyond the classroom—to blogs, podcasts, and community networks that extend the conversation.

Through my platform School Should Be and through my role in higher education, I continue to work on developing culturally intelligent and inclusive pedagogies—so that every student is seen, understood, and empowered.

So, to that student who once said, “Miss, you just get it”—I hope I still do. And I hope, together, we can build schools, classrooms, and systems where every student and teacher not only belongs, but helps others “get it” too.

If this message resonates with you, we’d love to hear your story. Let’s continue sharing our experiences and shaping the future of representation in education—together. Connect with us at info@southasianed.com.