Learning Guide - Islamic

at  UnschoolUnited Arab Emirates

QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFILE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies, theology, or a related field.
• Teaching qualification/certification or licensure.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of Islamic theology, history, jurisprudence, and ethics.
• Previous experience teaching Islamic Studies or related subjects to students of varying ages and backgrounds, with a strong preference for experience in early years and primary education.
• Familiarity with educational technology tools and resources that can enhance Islamic Studies teaching and learning.
• Fluent in Arabic and ideally fluent in English and have lived in (or currently reside in) the UAE.
• Committed to promoting Islamic values, ethics, and principles in education.
• Dedication to lifelong learning and professional development in the field of Islamic education.
• Have a versatile background (perhaps even unconventional), including experience working with learners.
• Committed to improving learning practice and evolving one day into perhaps a school leader.
• Have an interest in regular engagement and interaction with learners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other Learning Guides and the Core Team.
• Patient and empathetic with learners of all ages as well as their parents
• Creative, innovative, flexible, and adaptable.
• Passionate about education and learning, with a particular interest in project based and experiential learning.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Skilled in problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Familiarity with a variety of learning methods and styles.

ROLE PURPOSE:

To act as the primary point of contact between learners and the learning community, and to play a critical role in building engaging, authentic and creative learning experiences tailored to each learner’s needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Embrace and encourage the ethos, values, culture, and standards of excellence of Najmara.
• Play an active role in learning design and learning implementation, such that inspires and engages our learning community, most notably the young learners, to realise our purpose.
• Work with kids 3+ years of age, including working 1:1 with learners developing foundational skills, working with small groups on project-based learning, and supporting learners’ ideas and their challenges.
• Plan and deliver engaging lessons that cover various aspects of Islamic faith, including Quranic studies, Hadith, Fiqh, Seerah, and Islamic ethics.
• Design and develop unique and passion driven units of inquiry and implement engaging learning experiences in collaboration with the learning community leadership that align with the school core values.
• Experiment with core frameworks developed by the Learning Program Team and create a rich, play-based learning environment by developing lessons that incorporate interactive activities, multimedia resources, and practical language usage.
• Actively engage students in the learning process through various educational activities such as play, games, and interactive discussions.
• Provide personalized support to students, adjusting teaching methods to suit individual learning needs and abilities.
• Contribute innovative ideas, collaborate with colleagues, and support students in discovering their passions and strengths.
• Advise and support in the acquisition of learning resources and prepare classroom spaces for learning.
• Demonstrate the ability to be a generalist and take responsibility for the planning and delivery of learning quests that meet the needs of an assigned learning group.
• Observe and document learning as it is happening in and around our learning community.
• Become deeply ingrained in all aspects of our learning community, including engaging with families, events, initiatives, and programs.
• Regularly assess student progress through formal and informal methods, providing constructive feedback to students and parents.
• Use assessment data to refine teaching strategies and curriculum.
• Ensure that assessments reflect a comprehensive understanding of cultural contexts.
• Demonstrate care and professionalism to support the wellbeing of the team and learning community by fulfilling safety and child protection requirements in our policies and procedures both on campus and learning related excursions.
• Routinely investigate and apply the latest, research-validated methodologies with a bias towards action and evaluation.
• Work with other facilitators (both Learning Guides on site and third-party providers) to provide a rich and dynamic learning environment that aligns with the values of the learning community.
• Engage in mentoring others in the team (including Associate Guides and Teaching Aides for up to a term at a time.
• Participate in regular meetings and training sessions to align educational goals and strategies.
• Bring in special talents and interests into the learning community, enriching all learners young and old though sharing a specialist skill set in Islamic Studies.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Islamic Studies curriculum that aligns with educational standards and objectives and is tailored to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students.
• Create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where students feel comfortable discussing and exploring Islamic teachings and principles.
• Foster critical thinking skills and encourage students to analyze and interpret Islamic texts and sources.
• Integrate technology, multimedia, and experiential learning activities to enhance students’ understanding of Islamic concepts and practices.
• Provide guidance and support to students in their spiritual and moral development, emphasizing the importance of character-building and ethical conduct.
• Organize and participate in extracurricular activities, such as Islamic study groups, community service projects, and cultural events.
• Support and uphold the agreed policies and practices of Najmara.