A teacher’s perceptions of inquiry: Where inquiry experiences, beliefs and practice intersect

The purpose of this study was to understand the life experiences, beliefs, and practices of an educator who embraces inquiry in her classroom and beyond. Patricia’s story and her beliefs about inquiry have deepened and broadened the author’s understandings of what it means to live a life of inquiry. Her story brings to light the belief that inquiry is a not a series of steps that a teacher follows in the classroom. Rather it is a way of being, a way of living a life. To Patricia, living the life of an inquirer means being reflective of her actions in both her personal life and her classroom, being open to continuous learning, and constantly seeking opportunities to learn with others.