TFT Bulletin #5 | November 12, 2025
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You have heard the following encouragement early and often during your Teaching for Transformation journey: give it a try.
We use language like commit to try or a people of try. The hope is to disrupt us from our normal patterns and routines—to try something new.
Gaining new skills or understanding requires a willingness to embrace imperfection and discomfort as learners. You don’t arrive at a second draft without a first draft. Tim VanSoelen, Executive Director of CACE, gifted me this language: worst draft is first draft.
As a science and math teacher, I like formulas. So, I was excited when I came across this growth formula shared by James Clear (author of Atomic Habits):
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Failure + reflection + another rep = competence
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Beyond the order and clarity that I find within formulas, I also like how this formula roots the essential practice of reflection in this process. Its inclusion alludes to the importance of feedback and assessment as complementary elements for growth as these elements aid reflection.
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Annually we host a series of three free TfT webinars. This year’s webinars will take place December 9-11.
Each webinar has a specific focus: elementary TfT stories, secondary TfT stories, and leadership stories. Each webinar has four storytellers sharing a glimpse into the TfT practices that have shaped their students, classrooms, and schools.
Historically, these webinars were created for schools who were curious to learn more about TfT. However, current TfT schools and practitioners have also been attending these webinars to gather new ideas and inspiration.
Registration is required to attend these free webinars. Join us!
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Creating beautiful spaces that promote learning
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One of the most significant influencers of TfT evolution over the years has been EL Education. TfT has adapted and incorporated many of this organization’s practices within our framework.
One of EL’s core practices is to create beautiful spaces that promote learning. This EL article is a description of what this
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practice could entail. Not only does the article reinforce criteria we identify for Storyboards, but it also expands the discussion around beautiful spaces. This article is a quick read that would generate a great staff discussion or a self assessment of your classroom space.
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Showcasing FLEx – East Linn Christian Schools
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Upon entering the elementary building at East Linn Christian Schools, you will immediately find a showcase of FLEx stories representing the learning within the building. Last year Kim Bates, Elementary Principal, was exposed to this idea while visiting Avail Academy during the TfT site seminar. Kim uses the FLEx cards in this display to illustrate East Linn’s approach to Christian education to visiting prospective parents.
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FLEx Cards: Celebrating Heritage Christian School
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What does childlike faith look like? Scripture teaches that it is characterized by simple and honest trust, pure love, deep hope, joy, and wonder. Matt 18, Mark 10, and Bible heroes like young David illustrate how powerfully God works in and through those with childlike faith.
At Heritage Christian School, the impact of childlike faith is evident in their kindergarten FLEx stories. In Joy Bartholomew’s Reading FLEx and Kristin Smith’s Math FLEx, students practice being community builders as they see God’s Story and live in God’s Story.
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Opening Circles with the Throughlines
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Our series on Throughlines and Opening Circles now turns to servant working for our next couple of Bulletins.
Today’s ideas include greetings and an initiative that could get a bit messy! Remember to make time for reflection so learners can make connections between the playfulness and the depth in the activities.
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Servant working: Learners follow the example of Christ’s selfless love through exercising kindness, empathy, and compassion to care for others.
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