She Seys She Wants to be a Teacha

A gripping memoir of grit, migration, and purpose, She Sehs She Wants To Be A Teacha follows Elaine Foster-Allen’s journey from rural Jamaica to Britain’s classrooms—where education becomes both calling and transformation. Uplifting, unforgettable and deeply human, this is a story that will stay with you.

This wonderful book captures so well and in such a gripping style Elaine’s journey to becoming a teacher and headteacher and the travails of achieving that within the toxic culture of racism and low expectations of African heritage people in Britain.  It is a phenomenally important testimony that speaks to the current generation of black teachers in the UK and those who will hopefully join and succeed them, as well as to the schooling and education system itself.                                                               Professor Gus John

After many years of being out of the classroom, and 10 years into retirement, Elaine has finally written what has been in her heart all these years. SHE SEHS SHE WANTS TO BE A TEACHA. This is a tremendously masterful work calling up all those memories and those episodes from Chance Hill (back a yard) to England. A book to make you laugh a belly-full laugh.  She has always had a passion and commitment to helping others learn and grow and SHE SEHS SHE WANTS TO BE A TEACHA will do just that.  I encourage every teacher to buy a copy of this book.  It will make a difference in your life and in the lives of your students. 

                                                                                         Rev Evon Blair, retired Minister of Religion

I have laughed out loud as well as learnt a lot of family history from this book. Human behaviour, especially human child behaviour is one that really hasn't changed. The stories may be different but the messages and learning points remain the same. Building strong relational foundations for our youth is paramount in creating the generations of our future. I've always said if you do good, you feel good and that message is almost identical in Elaine’s own words. Our teaching practice is decades apart but the love of teaching and passion for the success of others, and the principles that underpin it, are the same!                                  Leanne Foster Clees, Assistant Head Teacher

Elaine Foster-Allen was born in rural Manchester, Jamaica, and moved to the UK in 1968. A pioneering educator, she became Birmingham’s first Black female secondary headteacher and later served with Her Majesty’s Inspectors. She has been recognised for her outstanding leadership, energy and dedication to education.

Publisher - Marcia M Publishing House

Language - English

Perfect Bound

Contributors

By author

Elaine Foster-Allen

Published Date - 2026-06-27

ISBN - 9781067659066

Dimensions - 21.6 x 13.8 x 1.7 cm

Page Count - 234