Richard Ganjavi is a Primary School teacher and senior leader from Warwickshire. He has always been passionate about working with children with additional needs, and promoting mental wellbeing and literacy amongst children.
Richard studied Theology at Cardiff University, before studying a Masters degree in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. Following these studies, Richard completed a Primary PGCE at Warwick University, which he achieved with a Special Recognition Award for his work while a trainee.
After many years of teaching in Primary Schools in Warwickshire, Richard and his wife, Naomi, were expecting twins in August 2024.
After a healthy pregnancy, at 34 weeks Richard and Naomi discovered they had tragically and unexpectedly lost one of their twin girls. Just two days later, under the incredible care of the staff on Labour Ward at Warwick Hospital, Naomi gave birth via C section to twin girls, Penelope and Bella. Penny spent the first two weeks of her life on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Warwick, while Bella spent three days by Naomi’s bedside in a special cold cot, allowing Richard and Naomi to spend cherished time with both of their girls as a family of four.
In the months that followed, which included looking after newborn Penny, holding a funeral for Bella, and navigating this complicated grief journey, Richard turned to writing.
Richard was determined to produce something for Penny to read when she grows up, to help her better understand her place in the world – acknowledging and being able to celebrate the fact that she will always be a twin sister to Bella, while being proud of the individual she grows up to become. Using his experience of working with children, as well as drawing on his own grief, Richard created the story, Whispers of a Purple Butterfly, the fictional story of a ten year old surviving twin, Lucy, and how she struggled with emotional regulation and issues of self-identity and self-worth.
Richard continues to work as a Primary Teacher in Warwickshire – a job he loves. Alongside this work, he now actively promotes his writing, and offers school visits which include assemblies and workshops, along with public speaking engagements at mental health events.
