Monthly Feature: Meet our Capital Staff Team

Full Name: Baar Hersi

Current Job Title: Associate Senior Leader

Where did you grow up? Wembley/Brent

What was your favourite subject at school? As an EAL student who was learning English as my third language, I loved French as I excelled at it because I could easily access the work as it is my second language. Sociology is a close second.

What University did you go to? North London University on Holloway Road.

What did you study at University? BA (Hons) Human Resources and Retail Management

What made you decide to go into teaching? After graduating from university I worked in Human Resources and at that time I thought I found my career path but after starting my family, I decided to take a career break for a few years to look after my kids.

Although this was the best decision for me and my family, it left me at a career crossroad. I was questioning whether or not I can go back to my old career. This period of my life was filled with reflection, contemplation and a sense of loss. I know I was not the same person but I didn’t know how to use the new sense purpose motherhood gave me to reinvigorate and advance my career.

It took a few years of volunteering, working as a TA (teaching assistant) and helping out the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) to identify my new purpose and passion for education. I was hooked on the idea of becoming a teacher and as they say the rest is history.

What are your hobbies outside of work? I love being involved with creative people, so I host different creative events. I enjoyed hosting a two-hour radio show.

What are your favourite part of the job you currently do?

Working with young people and as an educator there is no greater fuel and purpose than empowering a young person and contributing to their journey. I want to empower the next generation to ensure that their experience is different than mine. Representation is really important to me, my experience as a young immigrant girl who felt overwhelmed by her new adopted country, it took years to feel like I belonged at school. This is one of the reasons I use my voice and experience to advocate for parents who struggle to navigate the education system and I work hard at Capital to bridge the gap between school and home for our Somali parents.

What are your favourite thing about working at Capital?

My favourite thing about working at Capital is the relationships I have formed, the congeniality and collaboration with my colleagues is something that I will always be treasure. Also I enjoy having the opportunity of organising events to add to the sense of community in our school. I particularly love organising events that instil pride in young people about their identity. This is one of the reason I donate books written by Somali authors to our school library and use my network to invite Somali professionals to be our guest speakers and mentor our students.