‘I want to inspire my students’: Teacher defends decision to quit Love Island job
- Kai Fagan, 24, was helped by colleagues to give up teaching and star in the show
- He believes his work puts him in a good position to foster positive relationships
- The Manchester man wants to return to work with children after Love Island ends
Kai Fagan quit his job as a science teacher on Love Island after being harassed by his students into going on the show.
The 24-year-old said his colleagues supported his decision to step down to star in the program – despite struggles to recruit science teachers.
And he said he hopes his involvement would inspire children.
Fagan, who also taught physical education at a school in Manchester, said: “Obviously I had to keep it a secret as it’s quite a secret process. My supervisor told me that if he were younger and in my situation, he would do it.
Kai Fagan, 24, was supported by colleagues in giving up classes and playing on Love Island
“My colleagues were also very supportive of my decision. And every year when the show comes on, the students say to me, “Sir, you should go to Love Island. You’d do really well at it.”
“So I’m sure they’re going to be really supportive. Hopefully there will be a positive reaction from everyone.”
Fagan, who went to school with England footballer Marcus Rashford and described him as “quite quiet and reserved”, says he wants to work with children again after Love Island ends.
But the former science teacher wants to work with kids again after Love Island ends
He said: “My plan is to continue working with children. That’s my main goal and something I know for sure – that I want to continue working with children, whether teaching or not.”
And he said he believes his experiences as a teacher of having good relationships with students would benefit him in fostering positive relationships outside of the classroom as well.
Fagan said he hopes to be “quite inspirational for kids” on the show.
He added that for those kids who come from broken families, “a large percentage … their parents aren’t together, so if I can show them that I can show a positive relationship on TV, I don’t think that’s going to be the case.” is detrimental to my career”.