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“If teachers are controlled and micro-managed, they will tend to
control and micro-manage their students. By the same token, if
teachers are encouraged to innovate, collaborate, and inquire, they
will tend to promote these same processes in their classrooms.
Thus, we need to support teachers in the ways we want them
to support their students.”
(Ritchhart, R. 2023:5) |
| Overview: |
Inquiry as an approach to teaching and learning thrives in a broader, school-wide culture of inquiry. Educators in a leadership position play vital role in developing that culture.
This two-day workshop is designed for teacher-leaders who have the role of supporting staff in the implementation of inquiry-based approaches. This may include curriculum coordinators, whole school coordinators with a role specific to leading inquiry, team leaders or members of a team with the responsibility to lead inquiry, principals and deputy principals interested in pedagogical leadership practices.
Supporting staff in the application of an inquiry approach requires leaders to cultivate an inquiry stance in themselves - to bring curiosity and a commitment to collaboration to their role.
- What are some of the indicators of quality inquiry practice in the early and elementary/primary years?
- What are some of the key elements that or arrangements that help drive the effectiveness of an inquiry approach?
- How can leaders invite colleagues into a process of inquiry to improve their own practice? How can teacher-inquiry build a culture of collective efficacy, knowledge generation and school improvement?
- What dispositions and skills are needed by effective inquiry-based leadership? How do we cultivate these in ourselves?
- How does collaborative planning support inquiry? How do powerful collaborative teams work and how can we facilitate the process well as leaders?
- What processes enable a team to plan and monitor the development of an inquiry journey with and for their students?
- What is the role of the leader in planning conversations? How can we lead AS inquirers and foster a spirit of inquiry in the team/across the staff itself?
- What strategies and techniques can we use to empower teachers to use a more inquiry-based pedagogy in their classrooms?
- How do we build our repertoire of skills and strategies to manage the tensions and challenges of leading teams?
Throughout this two day workshop, Kath will draw on her extensive experience of supporting schools around the world in the process of building inquiry culture and practices. Case studies of innovative and effective leadership and collaborative planning will be shared. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with others in order to build a shared understanding and repertoire of approaches and leave with a personal plan and resources to support the ongoing work of leading for and through inquiry. |
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| Potential Audience: |
| Teacher-leaders, curriculum coordinators, whole school coordinators, team leaders, principals and deputy principals interested in pedagogical leadership practices. |
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| About Kath Murdoch |
Kath Murdoch is an experienced teacher, author, university lecturer and popular consultant who has worked for many years in schools throughout the world. With a focus on early childhood and primary education, she is widely respected as a leader in the field of inquiry based learning and integrative curriculum in which she has taught, researched and published for over 30 years.
Kath began her professional life as a classroom teacher in Melbourne, Australia. Her fascination in how students' constructed their understandings - and her interest in the way questions and big ideas could drive curriculum soon led to a passion for integrative and inquiry based methodologies. This passion has become a career-long focus for teaching, research and writing and the methodologies in which Kath specialises are now central to curriculum frameworks in many parts of the world - including the popular International Baccalaureate, PYP program.
Critical to Kath’s success is her continued involvement in classroom teaching. Whether it is to demonstrate techniques, coach teachers or build her own repertoire of practices, Kath is committed to regular and ongoing work with students. Her classroom work and research feeds a dynamic and ever-evolving expertise in the area of integrative and inquiry-based learning.
Kath’s professional development offerings are diverse. They range from intensive partnerships with schools to develop inquiry programs and practices over several years through to one-day workshops for beginning or experienced inquiry teachers. Whether in her home town of Melbourne or on the other side of the world, working with a team or speaking to a packed auditorium Kath's style is refreshingly practical, inclusive and always connected to the real world of teaching. |
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| Venue: |
Anglo American School of Sofia
Address: Панчарево, ul. "Siianie" 1, 1137 Sofia, Bulgaria
Phone: +359 2 923 8810 |
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| Hotel options close to the school: |
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| Timings: |
8.30 am to 3.30 pm
Registration at 8.00 am on 20th November 2026 |
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| Investment |
USD 750 Early Bird Offer Till 15th September 2026
USD 850 Closing Date 15th November 2026
Includes: Certificate of Participation for 16 Professional Development Hours, Lunch and coffee breaks. |
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| Upcoming Workshops |
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| Increase Student Achievement in Writing by Adding High-Engagement Writing Units to Your Writing Curriculum! (Grades 3-8) |
| How do we accelerate student learning so they become skilled writers who can meet rigorous writing standards? |
 October 10th, 12th, 17th & 19th, 2026 |
 USD 450 Closing Date 10th October 2026 |
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| Humanizing Education in the Face of AI: The HUMANE Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Humanity in Schools |
| What is the purpose of education? What does it mean to be human in a world of Artificial Intelligence? And what happens to educators, and to students, when schools treat people as data points rather than human beings? |
| October 14th, 21st, 28th & November 4th, 2026 |
| USD 400 Closing Date 10th October 2026 |
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| Journey Through a Day in Kindergarten: Nurturing a Culture of Inquiry |
| Throughout this online workshop, participants will have an opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Kindergarten class (children turning six this academic year) at the International School of Paris. |
| October 31st, November 7th, 14th & 21st, 2026 |
| USD 500 |
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