It was a casual conversation with a friend about teaching when they asked this week’s guest if they’d want to give it a go. “Yeh alright then” she said. And so began her career in education - one that has seen her change lives, pivot, innovate & create.

Laila El-Metoui (she/her) is now a DEI consultant, educator & public speaker. She’s the founder of Pride in Education, Embassy Model Summit & SWANA Queers. She began her teaching career back in 1992 and has worked for a number of London’s most-loved colleges including Hackney Community, Southwark, Morley and City & Islington. During her teaching career, she taught English & literacy to refugees & migrants and survivors of domestic abuse. Laila’s strong sense of independence, even since she was a child, meant equipping women with the skills to live an independent life was something she was incredibly passionate about.

Her parents instilled in her the power & love for education at a young age - and this shines through today. She grew up in Paris & recalls sitting on the steps of the Sacre listening to all the tourists speaking different languages, and saying to her mum “I wish I could communicate with everyone in their language”.

Laila is as enthusiastic about equality & community as she is about education & learning. She shares how she was an early activist and reflects on how the French are far more effective when it comes to protest than the UK. Indeed! “I thought I could change the world” says Laila. And though she now recognises that meaningful change is slow & requires both time & effort, that doesn’t prevent her from showing up. Whether for the LGBTQ+ community, the people of Gaza & refugees, Laila is there with boundless energy & hope. She’s a big believer in local action, global impact.

From dispelling myths around migration through sharing lives experience & lessons in history through to her DEI work, she harnesses her early teaching skills, creativity & an interactive approach to bring people up to speed, challenge ways of thinking & amplify the voices of those most marginalised & oppressed.

We cover a lot of ground in this episode including the impact of the Section 28 on education, Britain’s history of welcoming refugees & the joy Laila gets from community & her pug Rainbow (who is gorgeous).

I have so much appreciation & respect for Laila & the way she shows up. Always with authenticity and she’s not afraid to be vocal or vulnerable. “Everything I have been through has made me who I am today. Every single trauma from childhood & relationship has shaped me. My deep empathy & understanding. I’m still building & learning.” Laila uses the words ‘passionate, organise & resilient’ to describe her & her origin story.

As Laila & I discussed during the podcast, Pride in Education is offering a series of FREE webinar covering an array of themes including sex education in schools, trans+ inclusion & activism featuring a brilliant line-up of speakers in partnership with some wonderful organisations. Find out more & RSVP here: https://www.prideineducation.co.uk/

Please note: Some of the topics we cover during this podcast are sensitive. Please take care of yourself whilst listening.