Are you passionate about working with 3-7 year olds? Are you ready to reimagine what learning looks like, and apply that with our dynamic learning community?

Are you keen on founding a learning centre where challenge and play-based learning is at the core? Then, this may be the role for you ...

The School of Big Bravery is seeking a multi-talented Well-being Lead to co-create & launch our first Early Years/Primary age program.  

The School of Big Bravery has been provided a unique opportunity to question fundamental elements of the education system which dominates our world today. This project is being led by the Dubai Design Lab, which is part of the Dubai Future Foundation. The School of Big Bravery’s mission is to grow an inclusive learning community which puts relationships, learner agency, and a strong connection to nature at the heart of it. We bravely question what elements of education need to change in order to do this, through re-evaluating timetables and schedules, subjects, or even where learning may take place. We take time to build understanding across our community, as we consider learning to be a holistic process involving the learner, their caretakers, their community, and the environment around them. We aspire to be a lighthouse illuminating the possibilities of a brighter future through learning, and for this we welcome a team of inspired and energetic changemakers.   

This is a startup! So we are looking for someone who is collaborative, understands the importance of strong personal relationships with learners and who thrives in a changing, innovative and agile environment. 

Role overview:

As a Well-being Lead you belong to the Core Team of The School of Big Bravery and play a vital role in the development of a Learning Community that prioritises the well-being of its learners. This role functions across the organisation, providing support for all staff, parents, and learners on matters that affect the well-being of the community and the individuals therein. The Well-Being Lead mentors and educates faculty in developing strategies to create a consistently healthy environment for the whole community. They will also work alongside parents and caregivers in regular workshops to build a shared understanding of the role of well-being in the community and, more broadly, in our lives. 

The ideal start date for this role is in July 2023. The doors will open in Dubai in January 2024.

In your role, you will: 

• Meet with prospective families to understand the suitability for such a program
• Co-create profiles of learners and families we are seeking out, and observe and reflect on the suitability of potential candidates to our community.
• Develop policies and guidelines that genuinely reflect the evolutionary purpose of the organisation. 
• Deploy restorative practices and mindfulness in the community & daily practice
• Develop internal systems to support faculty well-being, through regular check ins and creating guidelines for safe spaces and protocols for meetings to allow for honest and transparent communication throughout the organisation.
• Coach Learning Guides in the use of all tools and approaches that connect to well-being.
• Develop workshops that support the healthy growth and development of the learners in our learning community.
• Be the designated safeguarding lead.
• Regular learner observation, with support for faculty based on observations and understanding of the learners and their needs.
• Working directly with learners if and when necessary on matters around well-being and the development of learning strategies to meet their specific cognitive needs.
• Support of learning guides in meeting with parents and caretakers upon the request of the learning guides.
• Model effective strategies and approaches for Learning Guides through genuine and meaningful interaction with learners.
• Provide 1:1 and small group coaching for Learning Guides outside of learner contact hours.
• Communicate our learning approach to parents as and when needed.

 You bring:

• 3-10 years proven experience in developing and implementing wellbeing strategies for an educational environment.
• A professional qualification in a related field (e.g. social work, mental health, psychology or community well-being) and significant relevant experience.
• C2 level of English is a must, Arabic would be nice to have.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Empathy for others and the ability to connect with people on a personal level.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Patience and a calm demeanour, especially when dealing with stressful situations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively about solutions.
• Flexibility and adaptability, especially when it comes to changing priorities or unexpected challenges
• A growth mindset and a willingness to learn and improve.
• A deep understanding of the importance of well-being and how it relates to learning and development.
• Eagerness to learn and embrace the Arabic culture
• The ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• A passion for education and a desire to create positive change in the lives of learners and their families.

 If this sounds attractive and you are up for your this challenge, please apply with

1. your CV and/or portfolio,
2. a brief letter (no more than one typed page) that outlines your vision for how well-being is lived in the life of a learner in the School of Big Bravery.
3. a short 1 minute video that introduces you, your interest in the position and your passion as an educator. (Please upload your video where it says “website, blog or portfolio”)

We are committed to creating a community that bravely explores how, what, and where we learn. We value diversity in perspective, background, and belief. We cherish our safe, creative, and fun culture that aims no lower than evolving education to be its best self.