Meet Shannon

Hi, I’m Shannon! I’m the Founder and Director of The Shaan Academy.

I graduated from The London School of Economics with a LLB Law degree. I have been teaching students for 6 years in the UK, Mainland China and Hong Kong.

I started The Shaan Academy because helping young people is my main passion in life. My goal is to empower students to become confident, well-rounded and resilient individuals.

Through my unique holistic model of teaching, I hope to inspire students to learn that through working hard, persevering and importantly, believing in yourself, anything is possible.

Whether you’re looking for tutoring, mentoring, or general advice, I’m here to help! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you’d like to learn more about The Shaan Academy.

I look forward to meeting you!

The Meaning behind ‘Shaan’

The word 'Shaan' holds deep meaning across many Asian cultures.

  • In Chinese, 'Shàn (善)' stands for 'kindness and compassion’. These are values which are central to both my personal journey and the teaching philosophy at The Shaan Academy.

  • In Punjabi and Hindi, 'Shaan' signifies empowerment and ‘pride of the community.’ This reflects my mission to empower students from Asian and underrepresented backgrounds to reach their full potential.

  • ‘Shaan’ is the name my mum calls me. She is, without a doubt, the best teacher and mentor I’ve ever had.

The Shaan Academy’s logo of a mountain takes inspiration from the Chinese symbol of a mountain, Shan (山). This represents growth, resilience and personal development, which The Shaan Academy fosters.

My decision to start The Shaan Academy was a culmination of years of me realising that teaching, mentoring and empowering students is what I want to do as a career.

My journey

Childhood and my journey with confidence

Growing up as a minority ethnic student in a British school, I experienced firsthand the challenges of adjusting to a new culture and environment. I understand what it’s like to feel different and navigate the complexities of fitting in.

  • A Passion for Learning - As a child, I had a love for learning and was very academic. I immersed myself in reading books, using my imagination, and writing creative stories.

  • Struggling with Confidence - Despite my achievements – including achieving all A*s in my GCSEs – I always struggled with self-confidence. I was incredibly shy and often found myself feeling out of place in school.

  • Shaping My Purpose - These experiences shaped me profoundly, and they’ve inspired the mission behind The Shaan Academy. My goal is to support young people who feel different, lack self-belief, or struggle with confidence – because I’ve been there too.

LSE and my legal career

Finding my place and building confidence in myself was not always easy, but each challenge shaped my journey and fueled my determination to succeed.

  • Defying the Odds at School - Attending comprehensive state schools, I faced many challenges but I was determined to defy the odds and pursue my dream of studying law at The London School of Economics (LSE).

  • Turning a Dream into Reality - Through self-motivation and the support of my family, teachers, and mentors, I turned that dream into reality and secured my place at one of the world’s leading universities.

  • Overcoming Hurdles at University - At LSE, I faced new hurdles whilst studying during the COVID pandemic, but I learnt to persevere. I worked hard, overcame setbacks, and ultimately secured a highly competitive Training Contract at Clyde & Co, a leading global law firm.

  • A Passion for Helping Others - Since then, my journey has ignited a passion for helping others to achieve success and fulfil their dreams.

My Teaching Experience

At the age of 17, I began tutoring and mentoring young people. From there, it became my lifelong passion.

  • Starting from the Ground Up: My first role was at a local tuition centre with low pay and long hours. However, I worked my way up and discovered my passion for helping students succeed.

  • Private Tutor: I successfully built a client base of students from Mainland China and Hong Kong who recently moved to South West London, tailoring my holistic approach to their unique cultural needs.

  • State School Expertise: Coming from a comprehensive state school background, I specialise in helping state school students overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their goals.

  • Giving Back: Helping others and giving back to the community is key to my philosophy. I’ve volunteered and collaborated with charities, and introduced wellbeing initiatives in schools and universities in London, Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Taking a Gap Year

After graduating with a LLB Law Degree from The London School of Economics, I decided to do something different to my peers in the Asian community and take a gap year. This was possibly the best decision of my life.

  • Expanding My Business: I grew my tuition business and developed my skills as a teacher.

  • Founding Shaan Mentoring: I founded Shaan Mentoring, a nonprofit organisation supporting Sikh and Punjabi girls pursuing legal careers.

  • Public Speaking: I was invited to speak at events hosted by The Sikh Lawyers Association, UN Women, and the Houses of Parliament.

  • Inspiring Students: I gave talks at state schools to motivate Asian students to pursue top universities.

  • Cultural Exploration: I travelled the world, immersing myself in different cultures, languages, and experiences that continue to shape my work.

Living and Teaching in Mainland China

In August 2024, I had the exciting opportunity to teach English in Mainland China for 4 months. This firsthand experience gave me rare insight into China’s educational system and culture, making it a truly invaluable experience.

  • Teaching Across China: I taught Chinese students aged 5-17 at a private bilingual school in Changsha and a private boarding school in Loudi.

  • Inspiring Workshops: I delivered talks and workshops to hundreds of students across the Hunan province.

  • Extracurricular Leadership: I led extracurricular classes in public speaking, debate, and Bollywood dance.

  • Yoga and Meditation: I introduced yoga and meditation practices to Chinese students, parents, and teachers, helping them enhance their wellbeing.

  • Cultural Exploration: I traveled through diverse regions of Mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Loudi, Yangshuo, and Zhangjiajie.

Living and Teaching in Hong Kong

Since December 2024, I’ve been living and teaching in Hong Kong. I am based in Tsim Sha Tsui.

  • Building Connections with Local Families: Engaging directly with parents and students has provided invaluable insights into the Cantonese culture and educational expectations.

  • Adapting to Local Curriculums: I’ve familiarised myself with Hong Kong’s education system to offer targeted and effective tutoring support.

  • Enhancing My Approach: Immersing myself in Hong Kong’s competitive academic environment has sharpened my ability to guide students through challenges and prepare them for success.

  • Incorporating Cultural Awareness: This firsthand experience has enriched my teaching style, enabling me to blend the Cantonese cultural understanding with practical strategies to help students thrive.

Acknowledgements

The Shaan Academy wouldn’t have been possible without the support of those who believed in me.

Thank you to my Mum and Dad; my grandmothers; my uncle Hardeep; my teachers Mrs. Nowicki and Mr. Bannister; my mentors Ranjot, Sarah, Shelley, Charlotte and Kathy; my friends Mya and Sachin; and my class at Zeng Guofan School.

Your encouragement to pursue what makes me happy inspired me to turn my passion for helping young people into a career.