Mark Butler | How to Introduce a Well-being Program Into Your School From Scratch

November 24, 2021

Episode #5: Mark Butler | How to Introduce a Well-being Program Into Your School From Scratch

One of the biggest challenges schools face is the how. “How do we go about executing a positive education / well-being program?” If you are a school leader, well-being co-ordinator or teacher who is looking to start or add to your WHOLE school wellbeing approach, then this is a must listen. In this episode I talk with Mark Butler. Mark has recently become the Secondary Principal at Al Bateen Academy – Abu Dhabi, UAE. Prior to this appointment he was School Principal K – 12 at Al Durrah International School – Sharjah, UAE. It was here Mark introduced a whole school approach to well-being. Most of our discussion revolves around how him and his team did this. Lot’s of takeaways, great advice and ideas you can apply immediately. And before Al Durrah, Mark spend 6 years at Emirates National Schools as Head of Pastoral Care and also as Assistant Head of School. 

More About Mark
Mark is a passionate student centred leader who grew up in rural Ireland. Although he is now leading one Abu Dhabi’s top private secondary school’s, Mark’s path to Education leadership was not via the conventional route.  As someone who failed to connect with school throughout his post primary education, Mark graduated not knowing which direction to take.  Guided by his parents he enrolled in the police force known as An Garda Siochana in Ireland. It was here where he began to find his passion for working with students, eventually finding his way into Education via Abu Dhabi where he has gone on to lead a school of 200 staff and 1200 students. 

Since his time in UAE Mark has had a significant impact on school culture at each of his posts, his passion to support and develop students socially and emotionally has propelled him to the top of of a very competitive market in Abu Dhabi. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-butler-832943ba/
https://www.albateenacademy.sch.ae/
https://aldurrahint.com/
https://www.ens.sch.ae/