Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry: For Equity and Quality

★ Starred selection for CCBC's Best Books Ideal for Teachers 2023!

Experienced educators Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser expand on their previous work in this all-new book for school leadership teams. Written for teams ready to get started―or keen to go deeper―this book will provoke new thinking and provide specific strategies for accelerating meaningful change.

Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry walks the reader through the six stages of the Spiral of Inquiry, a proven framework to help you 

• overcome inequality to create genuine equity and change outcomes for students;
• transform learning environments at both the school and district level;
• clarify the direction for new professional learning based on evidence from educational research as well as real-world examples of innovative practices from other schools;
• challenge long-held biases and assumptions guided by clarity of purpose, a growth mindset, and a stance of curiosity;
• effectively incorporate self-reflection and continuous improvement in your learning environments.

Building on the experiences and wisdom of inquiry leaders from around the world, this book provides support for the specific issues leaders face during the process of change, as well as ways to engage in and support inquiry networks across schools, districts, and other jurisdictions.

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.