Collective Vision: Igniting District and School Improvement describes a school district's ten-year journey of transformation and how research was leveraged to help achieve improved educational outcomes for learners. The journey began with the creation of a district-wide shared vision, mission and values, using a unique appreciative inquiry process that engaged all stakeholders in the school district, thus establishing shared ownership and responsibility for the outcomes. The book demonstrates how the power of a collective vision and collaborative inquiry across a system helps establish a district-wide culture of collective efficacy, leading to improved learning. All too often in the field of education promising practices are discarded before improvements can be noted. Additionally, schools are often charged with the responsibility of improvement without enough support or guidance from district leaders and governance. This story describes how a ten-year process of continuous inquiry and support led to significant district improvement and transformation. This story will inspire educators at all levels of the system to take steps toward district and school improvement. The book is unique in that it is written through the experience of practitioners who actioned educational research to achieve results. The book serves as a practical guide that provides useful "lessons learned" and questions for self-reflectionthroughout.
Nancy Gordon is a recently retired assistant superintendent from the Delta Schools District. She worked in Delta for forty-two years teaching grades one through ten, specializing in educating students with diverse needs while serving as a Learning Assistant and Resource Room Teacher. She held the roles of Vice-Principal, Elementary Principal, and District Director of Learning Services before becoming the Assistant Superintendent, a role in which she focused on district collaborative inquiry, leadership development, transforming district culture, and achieving equity for all students. Nancy is passionate about professional inquiry at all levels of the system and leveraging research to achieve school and district improvement. Dianne Turner formally retired in 2018 from her role as Chief Educator for the British Columbia Ministry of Education. Prior to taking on that role she was Superintendent of Schools with the Delta School District for six years. She served as Secondary Principal and Vice Principal, Science Department Head and Science Teacher with the Vancouver School District for thirty years before moving to Delta to serve as Assistant Superintendent. Dianne's passion, interests and engagement in professional learning and leadership development has led her to deepen her knowledge through inquiry and research about ways to support system wide transformation for the benefit of all students and staff.
