Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry

Dr. Judy Halbert leads the Transformative Educational Leadership Program alongside Dr. Linda Kaser at the University of British Columbia. As co-director of the Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE), she is dedicated to social change, and has made great strides in educational innovation, leadership, and Indigenous equity programs in BC. Over the course of her career, Judy has served in a variety of roles within the education system, including as a teacher, as a principal, as a district leader, and as a policy advisor with British Columbia’s Ministry of Education.Judy is deeply committed to achieving equity and quality for all learners—and to networking for innovation and improvement across systems. She is the co-author of numerous books on this subject, including The Spiral Playbook (2017), Spirals of Inquiry (2013), and A Framework for Transforming Learning in Schools: Innovation and the Spiral of Inquiry (2014) with Linda Kaser and Helen Timperley.Judy received the Distinguished Service Award from the BC School Superintendents’ Association for outstanding contributions to public education. Along with co-director Linda Kasert, Judy has been recognized by the Big Change Organization as a Pioneer for her work with NOIIE, and she was co-recipient of the prestigious Cmolik Prize (2019) for the enhancement of public education in British Columbia with Linda Kaser and Debbie Leighton-Stephens. Judy is passionate about making a difference and loves being around curious people.Dr. Linda Kaser is co-director of the Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE). As a faculty member at the University of British Columbia, she also co-leads the Transformative Educational Leadership Program.Linda has served in a variety of roles within the education system, including as a teacher, as a principal, as a district leader, and as a policy advisor with British Columbia’s Ministry of Education. She has worked extensively in graduate programs at three universities and has consulted with school systems internationally. Linda is deeply committed to achieving equity and quality for all learners—and to networking for innovation and improvement across systems. She is the co-author of numerous books on this subject, such as The Spiral Playbook (2017), Spirals of Inquiry (2013), and A Framework for Transforming Learning in Schools: Innovation and the Spiral of Inquiry (2014) with Judy Halbert and Helen Timperley.Along with co-director Judy Halbert, Linda has been recognized by the Big Change Organization as a Pioneer for her work with NOIIE, and she was co-recipient of the prestigious Cmolik Prize (2019) for the enhancement of public education in British Columbia with Judy Halbert and Debbie Leighton-Stephens.  Linda loves reading, learning, teaching, and laughing.

Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser approach teaching and learning with the respect and wisdom it deserves. Every part of this book acknowledges the complexity of education, but cuts through it to offer practical ways to keep being and doing better. If you want to make a real difference for children and young people, this book is where to start. I know I will be carrying it with me for a long time to come.

• Table of ContentsIntroduction1 Purpose, Curiosity, and Mindset: Three Foundational Ideas2 Scanning: The Starting Point for Team Inquiry3 Focusing: Deciding on Impact4 Developing a Hunch: Taking Responsibility5 New Professional Learning: The Importance of Informed Action6 New Professional Learning: Designing for Change7 Taking Action: Supporting New Practices8 Checking: Assessing for Impact9 Spirals Across Networks: Going Deeper and Going FurtherAcknowledgmentsAppendix A: Indigenous Understandings Learning Progression—Nanaimo Ladysmith Public SchoolsNotesReferences