PE Insights Episode 37 Aaminah Hussain – Challenging Stereotypes and Unconscious Bias

Introduction

In Episode 37 of the PE Insights podcast, Nathan Walker’s guest, Aaminah Hussain, Head of Physical Education in Sheffield, shares her experiences of challenging stereotypes and unconscious biases, both within herself and the field of education. Aaminah encourages listeners to reflect on their own biases, using her story as a framework for how personal and cultural backgrounds shape one’s journey in sport and education. The conversation is inspiring, offering valuable insights into breaking down barriers in the PE world.

Aaminah’s Background and Influences

Aaminah grew up in a Pakistani household where her mother, who was unable to pursue sports herself, was determined for Aaminah to have the opportunities she lacked. Aaminah’s parents were highly supportive, encouraging her participation in various extracurricular activities despite the cultural expectations and traditional roles often associated with their South Asian background. Aaminah credits her parents’ perseverance and her own experiences in martial arts as key influences in her decision to pursue a career in physical education.

Journey into Teaching

Initially, Aaminah’s family expected her to pursue a more traditionally respected profession like medicine. However, her passion for sport, particularly martial arts, led her to embrace physical education. She recalled early experiences of training with men in martial arts and being the only female participant, which fuelled her desire to challenge societal norms and be a role model for girls and women in sport. Aaminah completed a PE and sports health degree, eventually becoming a teacher and then a head of department.

Overcoming Challenges

Aaminah faced challenges, particularly from within her community, where teaching was not seen as prestigious as other white-collar professions. During her teacher training, she often felt isolated due to her ethnicity and background. However, these challenges motivated her to excel and become a positive role model for her students, particularly those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Role Model and Advocacy

As head of PE, Aaminah focuses on increasing participation and challenging stereotypes, particularly around gender and cultural barriers in sport. She emphasises the importance of being a role model for both boys and girls and speaks openly with her students about overcoming biases in sport, empowering them to pursue opportunities that align with their passions.

Engaging Parents for Support

Aaminah discusses her experience working in sports education, particularly in encouraging parental support for young athletes. She shares how recognising a child’s talent and having open conversations with parents can motivate them to support their child’s involvement in sports, even in challenging environments.

Aaminah highlights the importance of educating parents and understanding the community they serve. She stresses that teachers should familiarise themselves with the social and cultural context of their students, which may affect participation in sports.

Challenging Unconscious Bias

Unconscious bias is acknowledged as a natural defence mechanism. Aaminah encourages educators to reflect on their assumptions, particularly regarding gender and background, to avoid reinforcing stereotypes and provide fair opportunities for all students.

Inclusive PE Lessons

Reflecting on teaching practices, Aaminah suggests strategies for making PE lessons more inclusive, such as engaging quieter students and providing them with responsibilities or interactions that boost their confidence and involvement.

Aaminah emphasises that every student, regardless of their relationship with PE, should leave a lesson having achieved success. She allows her students to set their own goals, creating a sense of ownership and involvement in their learning. This approach fosters engagement and meaningful participation, as students reflect on their achievements at the end of the lesson.

Aaminah uses the principles of meaningful PE, including autonomy and student voice, to ensure lessons are personally relevant. She highlights the importance of shifting PE from simply being ‘fun’ to becoming ‘joyful’ by incorporating purpose and inclusivity.

Engaging Communities and Role Models

Aaminah collaborates with local organisations and the community to increase participation in sports, especially for girls. By providing role models and safe spaces, she works to break down barriers to engagement, ensuring that PE is inclusive and accessible for all.

Promoting Self-Belief

She believes in maximising every interaction with students, fostering resilience, and helping them discover their strengths. Self-belief and cultural understanding are central to her teaching philosophy, and she encourages educators to constantly challenge their unconscious biases.

Conclusion

Aaminah’s insights serve as a call to action for educators to reflect on their practices, understand the unique needs of their students, and embrace a more holistic approach to teaching physical education. By doing so, they can cultivate an environment that not only promotes physical activity but also nurtures resilience, maturity, and a lifelong love for movement. The podcast leaves listeners to reflect on their biases, engage with their communities, and prioritise the success of every learner in their care.

Aaminah’s blog post

Read more about Aaminah’s inspiring story and inclusive approach to PE by clicking here.

About the Guest

Today’s episode is a conversation with Aaminah Hussain, Head of Physical Education in Sheffield. You can connect with Aaminah directly via X at @AHussainPE

Listen and Connect

To listen to the full episode please follow these links to Spotify or Apple Podcasts.