2025 NOIIE Symposium

2025 NOIIE Symposium
Connections + Curiosity

View 2025 Symposium Flyer PDF

Dates & Times

May 9th
7:30am – 8:30am PT (Breakfast & Registration)
8:30am – 5:00pm PT (Symposium)
May 10th
7:45am – 8:30am PT (Breakfast)
8:30am – 12:00pm PT (Symposium)

Location

Westin Wall Centre (Airport)
3099 Corvette Way, Richmond, BC
www.westinvancouverairport.com

Transportation

Skytrain: The Aberdeen Station or Bridgeport Station are both about a 15 minute walk from the Symposium hotel. There is also additional parking at the Bridgeport Skytrain Station.
Parking: Paid parking at the Symposium venue is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. A coupon code for parking onsite will be provided closer to the date. Alternatively, there is overflow parking available at the building across the street from the hotel.

Fees & Registration

Cost: $475 + GST

Our Delta Registration portal is now closed. Please contact us if you have any registration inquiries.

Symposium Registration FAQs:

Do you offer daily rates? No, we do not offer daily rates.
If I am unable to make the symposium, can I get a refund? We can issue reimbursements up until April 16th. Please contact us if you need a reimbursement before April 16th.
What methods of payment do you accept? Online registration is through Delta School District with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Visa debit card.
Was my registration successful? You can check to see if your registration was successful by clicking on the “My Account” link at the top corner of the registration site, and sign into your account using the email and password you set up.
Where can I find my registration receipt? You can check your registration(s) and print or reprint your receipt(s) by clicking on the “My Account” link at the top corner of the registration site, and sign into your account using the email and password you set up.
What is the easiest way to register more than 5 people at the same time, using one method of payment? You can call the Delta School District registration folks at 604-940-5550, 9am – 4pm Pacific Time. Tell them you are registering for the NOIIE Symposium and they can take your credit card information over the phone and note the spaces you need.
I am registering for the symposium from outside of Canada and do not have Canadian contact information, what do I do? Due to a glitch in the registration system, for Province please enter BC and a generic postal code (V1V 1V1).

Still having troubles with registration? Please contact us.

Accommodation

We have a limited room block with a discounted group rate of $279+tax at the Westin Wall Centre (Symposium venue). Book early if you wish to stay here. The deadline to book a discounted room is April 16th or until sold out. Please do not book and hold rooms you intend to release later.

Online: 2025 NOIIE Symposium Room Booking
Phone: 604-303-6565 (indicating “2025 NOIIE Symposium”)
Email: reservations@wallcentre.com (indicating “2025 NOIIE Symposium”)

Once the room block at the Westin is full, please see a list below of additional accommodation options in close proximity to the Symposium venue. Please note, schools and districts often qualify for a government rate.

River Rock Resort (10 minute walk)

Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport (11 minute walk)

Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Airport (8 minute walk)

Hampton Inn by Hilton Vancouver/Richmond Airport (7 minute walk)

Versante Hotel (7 minute walk)

NOIIE Symposium Presenters

Hosts

Tashi Kirincic

Coordinator of Inclusive Literacy Practices, Secondary Schools (SD 37)

Tashi Kirincic is a teacher-leader in the Delta School District, located on the traditional territory of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam People. She is passionate about cultivating and sustaining spaces where teachers can connect, get curious about teaching and learning, and work together to create powerful and inclusive learning environments. Tashi is the Coordinator of Inclusive Literacy Practices for Secondary Schools in Delta. She received her Masters of Language and Literacy Education from the University of British Columbia and is a graduate of UBC’s Transformative Education Leadership Program.

Jana Fox

Assistant Superintendent, Bulkley Valley (SD 54)

Jana Fox is an Indigenous educator, lifelong learner, and the Assistant Superintendent in School District 54, Bulkley Valley located on the beautiful, unceded territory of the Witsuwit’en Peoples in northern British Columbia. Jana also works alongside brilliant educators in the Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education, supporting school and district Indigenous Education Impact Initiative teams across the province as they engage in the Spiral of Inquiry to improve outcomes for Indigenous learners.

Creative, insightful educators and Indigenous knowledge holders, including her Blackfoot and Navajo ancestors, inspire Jana’s passion for learning and being a good relative. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and high-quality learning environments that nurture the growth and well-being of all students. Guided by a desire to be a story weaver, Jana gathers and shares stories that support meaningful action to help shape positive transformations in the education system and Indigenous communities.

Keynote Speakers

Pete Bombaci

GenWell Founder & CEO

Pete Bombaci is an expert in the field of human connection and the founder of The GenWell Project – a Canadian organization dedicated to making the world a healthier and happier place by reminding people about the importance of face-to-face social connection as a proactive health action that they can take, and inspiring them to take action.

In 2016, Pete launched his passion project, GenWell (previously called The GenWell Project), a human connection movement that has been in the making for over a decade, which has recently become more relevant than ever. The mission of GenWell is to make the world a happier and healthier place by reminding people of the importance of face-to-face social connection and inspiring them to take action. GenWell wants to be the reminder and the inspiration for people to take that action, and to date, thousands of people in close to two dozen countries have participated in GenWell project’s twice-annual GenWell Weekends.

Pete, a graduate of The University of Western Ontario, lives in Toronto with his wife and their son. He is a frequent guest speaker and commentator who has contributed opinion pieces for print, magazines, radio and online.

Judy Halbert & Linda Kaser

Co-directors, Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education
Co-leaders, Transformative Educational Leadership Program, UBC

Dr. Judy Halbert and Dr. Linda Kaser are co-directors of the Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIIE) and co-leaders of the Transformative Educational Leadership Program at UBC (TELP). They have served as teachers, principals, district leaders and have seconded directors at the Ministry of Education. Judy and Linda consult extensively with school systems internationally, and are deeply committed to achieving equity and quality for all learners—and to networking for innovation and improvement across systems.

Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser were identified by the Big Change Organization as Pioneers for their work with NOIIE and in 2019, along with Debbie Leighton Stephens, they were awarded the Cmolik Prize for the enhancement of public education in British Columbia.

Judy and Linda are co-authors of Leading Through Spirals of Inquiry (2022), The Spiral Playbook (2017), Spirals of Inquiry for Equity and Quality (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).

Jillian Lewis/DJ GrooveHeart

Education Consultant & DJ

Jillian Lewis is an educator with over 30 years of experience teaching, learning, and leading in British Columbia. She has served as a classroom teacher, elementary school principal, and now independent education consultant, and has always had a passion for building community and facilitating collaborative inquiry. Jillian is deeply committed to nurturing the social and emotional well-being of all learners and those who care for them. She is a life-long learner and a self-taught photographer and musician. Her most recent field of study has been behind the decks as a DJ, sharing joy through music and dance.

Kath Murdoch

Seastar Educational Consulting

Kath Murdoch is a teacher with over 40 years experience working with children and educators. The author of many popular books for teachers, Kath works around the world to share and explore her passion for the power of inquiry to transform teaching and learning in schools.

Leona Prince

Assistant Superintendent of Indigenous Education, ECC

Leona Prince, Assistant Superintendent of Indigenous Education at the Ministry of Education and Child Care, is a passionate, award-winning educator who has served the public in various roles throughout her 19-year career in B.C. public education. She is a member of the Lake Babine Nation and comes from Nak’azdli Whut’en. She looks forward to bringing the knowledge and skills that she learned in her role as Director of Instruction in School District 91 Nechako Lake and from within her traditional land-based and governance teachings in community.

Rebecca Winthrop

Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Universal Education

Rebecca Winthrop is a leading global authority on education, the director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. She is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in life, work, and as an engaged citizen. She leads cutting-edge research and initiatives aimed at transforming education systems around the world to better support children’s learning and development.

Rebecca is a trusted advisor to both school communities and national and international organizations. Her expertise is sought by many including parent networks, schools, district education leaders, the White House, the United Nations, and Fortune 500 companies. Rebecca’s work is centered on developing and advocating for evidence-based strategies that bring people together—families, educators, policymakers, and companies—to help children maximize their potential.

She holds a PhD from Columbia University’s Teachers College, an MA from its School of International and Public Affairs, and a BA from Swarthmore College.

Program – Day 1

Detailed Program with Session Descriptions

Friday May 9, 2025

7:30 – 8:30 Check-in & Breakfast

8:30 – 9:00 Welcome to the Symposium
Jana Fox (SD 54 Bulkley Valley) & Tashi Kirincic (SD 37 Delta)

Acknowledgement of Territory
Alec Dan

Dancers of Damelahamid

9:00 – 9:15 Connections & Curiosity
Judy Halbert & Linda Kaser, NOIIE

9:15 – 10:00 Keeping It Real: Cultivating Curiosity with Care and Authenticity (Part 1)
Kath Murdoch, Seastar Educational Consulting

10:00 – 10:30 Stretch and Network

10:30 – 11:15 Unleashing Student Engagement and Agency
Rebecca Winthrop, Brookings Institution

11:15 – 11:30 Discussion

11:30 – 12:00 Weaving Our Ways of Knowing
Claire D’Aoust (SD 37 Delta), Paige Fisher (VIU), and Emily Magyar (SD 68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith)
Check out the Claire’s Story Studio website!

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
TELP Information Session (12:15-12:45)

1:00 – 2:00 Breakout Sessions #1 (see Breakout Session 1 tab)

2:00 – 2:15 Stretch & Network

2:15 – 3:15 Breakout Sessions #2 (see Breakout Session 2 tab)

3:15 – 3:30 Stretch & Network

3:30 – 4:00 Portable Generosity
Jillian Lewis, Consultant

4:00 – 5:00 Social Hour (with cash bar)

Program – Day 2

Saturday May 10, 2025

7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45 Welcome to Day 2
Jana Fox, Tashi Kirincic, and Jillian Lewis

8:45 – 9:15 Keeping It Real: Cultivating Curiosity with Care and Authenticity (Part 2)
Kath Murdoch, Seastar Educational Consulting

9:15 – 9:30 Discussion

9:30 – 10:15 Remember Who We Are
Leona Prince, BC Ministry of Education and Child Care

10:15 – 10:45 Stretch & Network

10:45 – 11:30 Building a Culture of Human Connection Where People and Organizations Thrive
Pete Bombaci, GenWell

11:30 – 11:40 Moving Forward
Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser, NOIIE

11:40 – 11:50 Connections & Curiosity: Four Perspectives

11:50 – 12:00 Closing

Breakout Session #1

Friday May 9, 1:00 – 2:00pm

STEVESTON ROOM

NOIIE Indigenous Education Impact Initiative (IEII) – BC, Canada
How can we use the Spiral of Inquiry to continue transforming the educational experiences of Indigenous learners? What have we learned from previous inquiry cycles to take next steps in creating systemic change?
Presenters: Jana Fox (SD 54), Jo Chrona, and guest speakers from IEII teams

LULU ISLAND ROOM

Connected, Collaborative and Curious Learning Networks – New South Wales, Australia
Our network is purposefully designing opportunities for curiosity and connections among teachers and leaders in NSW. Curiosity is a powerful tool for fostering meaningful connections it encourages deeper engagement, strengthens relationships and helps us uncover shared values. In this presentation, NOII NSW share the story of our network’s projects for our early career teachers, teachers and leaders in our network. You will discover how collaboratively engaging and leading with an inquiry lens has led to equity and quality for students, schools and communities in our New South Wales.
Presenter: Sue Sessions (NOII New South Wales)

Lead From Where You Are: Micromoves for Change – BC, Canada
It isn’t always about wholesale change, headline-making innovation, or major initiatives that make a difference for learners and colleagues in our field. More often, it’s the small, intentional micromoves—and a steady curiosity—that have the biggest impact. In this interactive session, Angela’s got a few micromove stories to share that might inspire you to see how small shifts can have a huge impact. You’ll have an opportunity to uncover and celebrate your own micromoves with the participant group too!
Presenters: Angela Stott (SD 74) and Tamara Beaton (SD 48)

GULF OF GEORGIA ROOM

Journeying Together: Walking the Allyship Path (Yukon, Canada)
We will tell you a story about our personal journey in decolonization and the self-work necessary in ensuring we are being allies. The Spiral of Inquiry has provided us guidance as we work together on this journey. We have had opportunities to reflect and discuss our own learning, our circle of influence, and how to move forward with this work in a good way.
Presenters: Tammy Stoneman, Flora Asp, Rob McConnell, Shannon Donald, Shanna Epp, Carolyn Lewis-Shillington, Julian Ochs, Rosalind Crump, Sara Price, and Ian Dimopoulos

BRIDGEPORT ROOM

Self-Regulated Learning Strategies: Empowering Educators and Students – BC, Canada
This session introduces participants to the NOIIE Indigenous Education Impact Initiative and how school teams across five BC school districts are using collaborative inquiry to explore how to support the achievement and thriving of Indigenous learners to create immediate and lasting impact.
Presenters: Jen Eddie (SD74), Katrina Lowe (SD48), Naomi Radawiec (SD71), Samantha Dargis (SD91), Dane Philipenko (SD91), and Kimberley MacNeil (UBC)

See Naomi’s handout on Meeting the Needs of Introverted Learners.

Transformative Assessment Practices in Secondary Math and Science Classrooms – BC, Canada
During this session you will get a look at how Clare Hay and Matt Trask use assessment to deepen learning, eliminate barriers, and strive for equity in their math and science classrooms. From oral lab reports to students tracking their own learning, this dynamic duo is eager to share how their assessment has transformed student learning in their classrooms.
Presenters: Clare Hay (SD37) and Matt Trask (SD45)

Breakout Session #2

Friday May 9, 2:15 – 3:15pm

STEVESTON ROOM

The First 20 days – Supporting a Successful Start Up for New K-7 Teachers – BC, Canada
This session will share how K-7 new teachers, or teachers new to role, can be supported through a resource that relieves the pressure of planning while simultaneously supports learning powerful pedagogy that can be applied in an ongoing way.
Presenter: Brooke Douglas (SD38)

LULU ISLAND ROOM

Cuystwí qwetsp (Let’s journey together) – BC, Canada
Join us in using the Spiral of Inquiry to navigate system transformation in the spirit of education for human flourishing. Using the medicine wheel, we invite participants to engage in collaborative dialogue to explore possibilities that foster overall health and well-being.
Presenters: Heather Androsoff (SD48) and Leah Dan, Skicza7 Squz’ – Mother Hawk (Lil’wat Nation)

GULF OF GEORGIA ROOM

Literacy and Numeracy Learning Journeys: Shifting & Improving Outcomes for Indigenous Learners – BC, Canada
These inquiry teams have focused on decolonizing practices in ways that are showing promise in improving literacy and numeracy learning for Indigenous learners. This branch of NOIIE is in its third year of diving deep into shifting instructional and assessment practices in their efforts to make strong changes.
Presenters: Michelle Miller-Gauthier (SD91), Roberta Toth (SD 91), Sarah Miller (SD 63), Heidi Jungwirth (SD 71), Brenton Close (SD 74), Stephanie Lundrigan (SD 41), and Allison Hotti (SD 36)

BRIDGEPORT ROOM

Braiding the Threads: Engaging the Community in FPPL – BC, Canada
This session will explain how our team has engaged our local and school community in First Peoples Principles of Learning. Examples include leading fellow educators through beading projects and plant walks, collaborating with students to build an interactive game, and working with community experts to build an outdoor learning space.
Presenters: Jenn Girard (SD38), Jenn McBurney (SD38), and Katie Laskemoen (SD38)

Grounding Ourselves in the Gifts of Outdoor Learning – BC, Canada
Join us to explore how outdoor learning nurtures play, curiosity, and generosity; transforms practice, culture, and our sense of belonging; and tends connections and relationships through story. In our beginning steps to growing nature-based learning, we will share inquiry-driven leadership micro-moves that support wellness and flourishing for all.
Presenters: April Pikkarainen (SD38) and Kevin Vines (SD38)