The Creative Inquirer Website

The Creative Inquirer

About Katie Poulsen

For almost three decades, I have been working as an educator in Montana, Washington, and Colorado in the United States. My eduacational background includes Montana State University-Bozeman Bachelor of Science Elementary Education K-8, Early Childhood Education 1998 and Argosy University-Denver Masters in Educational Administration 2018. During my time in Colorado, I was introduced to the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme (PYP). This framework aligned with all of my beliefs as an educator regarding student agency, inquiry, constructivism, and conceptual knowledge. I have been involved with the PYP programme since 2006 as a parent and 2008 as an educator. Both of my boys experienced the PYP, and I have seen an amazing difference in them as students and individuals. Both of my boys embody the Learner Profile on a daily basis. As an educator, I have experienced the programme in grades PreK-5, as well as Educational Technology specialist teacher and Gifted & Talented education. I have also taught 6th grade science at a middle school. I have enjoyed seeing my students learn and grow into internationally-minded individuals. I have been visiting schools and teaching workshops for the IB Educator Network (IBEN) since 2012. These opportunities have helped me improve my knowledge and practice within my own context.

What does it mean to cultivate creativity?

Cultivating creativity in our classrooms is necessary for students to become passionate and motivated learners who pursue their interests. Educators should support creativity in the classroom through focusing on student agency and action. Our learners should be given the opportunity to make choices about their learning within the context of the learning community and based on their personal needs.

How do we foster curiosity in ourselves and others?

Coming soon!

Directory

Professional Development

Learn more about available in-person and virtual professional development opportunities

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Blog & Podcast

Read and learn more about teaching and learning within an inquiry based classroom.

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Resources

Find resources to support your teaching and learning within an inquiry based classroom.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

IB FRAMEWORK WORKSHOPS

Request an official IB workshop with me or have a personalized workshop focusing on one of the aspects of the IB framework to meet the needs of your staff.

PROGRAMME OF INQUIRY DEVELOPMENT

Personalized coaching in developing your school’s programme of inquiry PreK-6. Teams will meet with Katie to develop units of inquiry based on your school’s scope and sequences/standards, curriculum resources, and documentation platform.

MODEL LESSON DEVELOPMENT & DELIVERY

Collaboratively plan a learning experience using the IB framework with Katie, and observe her teaching the learning experience to your students.

CREATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Grade level teams and single subject teachers receive personalized coaching to develop and document learning experiences within the programme of inquiry.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PREPARING FOR AUTHORIZATION/EVALUATION

Prepare for authorization or evaluation using the IB programme standards and practices as the guide. Collaborate with Katie to complete classroom observations and interviews to prep the learning community for the official visit.

PYPx Project

Plan your school’s exhibition focusing on your entire learning community, the IB framework, student agency, and student action.

THE POI & THE SINGLE SUBJECT TEACHER

Specialists teachers will work with Katie to determine connections to the POI and document their learning experiences within grade level units.

VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT-CURRENT OFFERINGS

CREATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES

COHORT 1- Grade level teachers & school leaders May 2024

COHORT 2- Grade level teachers & school leaders August 2024

COHORT 3-Early years teachers & school leaders September 2024

COHORT 4-Specialist teachers & school leaders October 2024

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Brown Bag Watchlist

Effective LEadership

Learn how to become a better, more compassionate and ultimately more effective leader in this hour-long session with esteemed Life Coach, Daniel Gallego.

Communicating with Confidence

A panel of experts in communication and psychology gives their tips and tricks for conveying your messages confidently and effectively.

Rallying Teams

Collaboration is key to the success of projects. Learn how to leverage on a team's skills and rally them towards achieving goals.

RESOURCES