When: March 11, 2021 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm PST
Where: Virtually
The British Columbia K – 12 education system is one of the most high-performing in the world. And still, the need to ensure that all learners in our school systems have the opportunity to thrive and improve life outcomes remains an enormous task for educational leaders, particularly during a global pandemic. What innovative approaches make the biggest impact for our learners and systems? What actions contribute to building more socially just and equitable learning environments?
Join Dr. Judy Halbert MEd’90 and Dr. Linda Kaser BA’65, MEd’75, co-leaders of the UBC Transformative Educational Leadership Program (TELP), in a facilitated discussion around the topic “How can we make a difference through leadership?” Three TELP Alumni will “ignite” this topic through their personal stories of leadership, followed by a panel discussion and Q & A.
Facilitators:
Dr. Judy Halbert and Dr. Linda Kaser
Dr. Judy Halbert MEd’90 |
Dr. Linda Kaser BA’65, MEd’75 |
Dr. Judy Halbert MEd’90 and Dr. Linda Kaser BA’65, MEd’75 lead the Transformative Educational Leadership Program at the University of British Columbia (telp.educ.ubc.ca). Prior to coming to UBC, Linda and Judy developed and taught graduate leadership programs at the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University.
Linda and Judy have served as teachers, principals, district leaders and policy advisors with British Columbia’s Ministry of Education. They are the founders of the Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education. In 2019, along with NOIIE leader Debbie Leighton Stephens, they were awarded the prestigious Cmolik Prize for the enhancement of public education in British Columbia.
They are deeply committed to achieving equity and quality for all learners—and to networking for innovation and improvement across systems. To that end, they served as Canadian representatives to the OECD international research program on Innovative Learning Environments. They are pleased to support inquiry networks in British Columbia, the Yukon, England, Catalonia, Spain, Sweden, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, New Zealand and Queensland.
They are the co-authors of The Spiral Playbook (2017), System Transformation for Equity and Quality (2016), Spirals of Inquiry (2013), Leadership Mindsets: Innovation and Learning in the Transformation of Schools (2009) and with Helen Timperley, A Framework for Transforming Learning in Schools: Innovation and the Spiral of Inquiry (2014).
Ignite presenters:
Jana Fox, Vice-Principal, SD 54 Bulkley Valley
Over many years, Jana has been honoured to work in the Bulkley Valley School District, located on unceded Witsuwit’en territory, with many talented educators. She is a district teacher and a vice-principal for Silverthorne Elementary. With the assistance of brilliant NOIIE leaders, she also supports eleven teams throughout British Columbia inquiring how to improve outcomes for Indigenous learners in their settings. Learning has become a deeply-rooted passion for Jana, reinforced by the inspirational momentum of creative educators in NOIIE and in her school district, and by the wisdom of the knowledge holders and ancestors from her Blackfoot community. She is committed to the work that supports the establishment of quality and equitable systems that nurture the growth and well-being of all learners. Jana is always learning and strives to become a story weaver, taking action and sharing stories that contribute to positive transformations in the education system and the Indigenous community.
Jordan Kleckner, BSc’06, District Principal, Learning Technology, SD 23 Central Okanagan
Jordan is a proud father and husband, believes in leading through appreciative inquiry, and has the privilege of working, learning, and playing on the traditional unceded ancestral territory of the Sylix/Okanagan people.
As the current District Principal of Learning Technology in Central Okanagan Public Schools (SD23), Jordan works collaboratively with many hardworking and talented educators in fostering a digital learning culture across all schools in the district.
Rena Sweeney, Principal, SD 85 Vancouver Island North
Rena has had the honour of growing up and returning to teach on the beautiful northern Vancouver Island, on the traditional lands of the Kwakwaka’wakw people. Having spent her childhood in isolated coastal areas where her family was often alone, she developed an affinity for wild spaces and an understanding of the importance of a deep connection to place. Her early years teaching were spent in remote and isolated schools in the Vancouver Island North School District, which further fostered her passion for individualized learning and place-based education. Currently Principal at Port Hardy Secondary School, Rena works closely with her team to focus on fostering student connection and sense of belonging.
Panelists:
Christel Brautigam, BA’93, BEd’94, DipEd’97, MA’04, Assistant Superintendent, SD 38 Richmond
Christel Brautigam is currently an Assistant Superintendent in SD38 – Richmond. Christel is a 2019 TELP graduate and engages with the Spiral of Inquiry in many aspects of her work. Before becoming Assistant Superintendent, Christel was a Director of Instruction, Elementary School Principal and Vice Principal, classroom teacher, Teacher-Librarian and ELL/Resource teacher.
Raquel Steen, District Principal, International Education, SD 23 Central Okanagan
Raquel Steen BEd, MEd, has been involved in education for over three decades and is presently serving in her school leadership role as District Principal of International Education. In her previous role as a high school principal, Mount Boucherie Secondary’s Academy of Indigenous Studies was recognized nationally for reconciliation in action through the Ed Can Network Innovation that Sticks Program as a model for creating a learning community for Indigenous student success. Mrs. Steen continues to be an active advocate for building inclusive school cultures and communities of learning.
Jody Billingsley MEd’ 11, Principal, SD 37 Delta
Jody Billingsley has been a teacher and educational leader for the past 19 years. He taught in Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the Bronx, New York. He currently leads as a Principal in the Delta School District. Jody Billingsley is an advocate for inclusion and for doing what is in the best interest of children. He believes all children should be able to access the curriculum and find success, and that that relationships and networking are key within education systems. Jody Billingsley received his Master of Education in Administration and Educational Leadership from UBC and is a recent graduate of UBC’s Transformative Education Leadership Program (TELP).
Marcus Toneatto, Director of Learning and Inquiry, SD 53 Okanagan Similkameen
Marcus has worked in education for 29 years as a teacher, counsellor, principal, and presently the Director of Learning and Inquiry for the Okanagan Similkameen School District. A TELP alum (TELP 2), much of his current leadership is on building capacity with educators to create a system of equity for all learners using an inquiry framework. Marcus is married and has two teenage children. Coaching volleyball has been a long-time passion that continues to keep him connected to young people in the Okanagan valley.
