In the last TfT Bulletin I reflected on the use of models.
In the last TfT Bulletin I reflected on the use of models.

TfT Bulletin #12  |  February 12, 2025
In the last TfT Bulletin I reflected on the use of models. Let’s extend that idea using this image from Ash Lamb: 
“Being Cringe” speaks to the journey one needs to take to move from a current way of being to a new way of being. While models invite us to imagine "shiny" new results, our movement towards these results often comes with cringe moments. Our product or performance won't be perfect, and growing pains may accompany our growth. The above image suggests that we can't achieve new levels if we worry about preserving the need to be cool, to look good.

"Being cringe" is disruptive language for me. "Being cringe" juxtaposed to "being cool" names the risk that accompanies trying new things. It is good to name these fears, these risks.

Even so, be cringe.

TfT Site Seminar 2025 (March 6 & 7, Minneapolis)

Registration Deadline of this Friday, February 14
This is the last call to register for this year’s TfT site seminar co-hosted by Avail Academy and Southwest Christian High School on March 6 & 7, 2025.
Register Now

Save the Dates: Masterclasses 2025
We enthusiastically announce this year's TfT Masterclass offerings! We have again expanded our course offerings: some of this year's classes continue from the past, and several are new offerings!
Instructional CoachingPreschool and Prekindergarten K-12 Essential Practice:
Storyboards
K-12 Essential Practice:
Reflection
 K-5 Core Practices:
Elementary
 6-8 Core Practices:
Middle School
6-12 English
Language Arts
 K-12 Physcial Education 6-12 World Languages
Masterclasses are led by school-based TfT practitioners. Each class provides a practical learning experience that will leave you with new TfT plans for the year and a set of collegial relationships from across the TfT network to encourage, support, and sustain your work. Registration will open soon, but meanwhile, save the dates!
July 8, 10, 15, 17 (11 AM to 12:30 PM CST)

FLEx Cards
Our elementary example is from Andrea Wiersma's 1st/2nd grade class at Cairn Christian School. The FLEx card tells how students engage their driving FLEx question: "What can we as Gr. 1/2 students do to stop so many dried-out markers from entering the landfill?"
The secondary example comes from Dr. Frizzell's 11th Grade African American History course at Harding Academy. This FLEx card shares how students practice and embody justice seeking and community building as they engage the topic of slavery in the context of a local historic plantation.

Inviting Students into FLEx: Unpacking a Long-term Learning Target
As we continue the series Inviting Students into FLEx, Elizabeth Benscoter, Instructional Coach at Grace Community and TfT Masterclass facilitator, identifies elementary and secondary FLEx examples that teachers launched by unpacking a Long-term Learning Target or Essential Question.
I want to acknowledge Elizabeth's contributions to the Bulletin during the 2024/25 school year. Through her work, we have shared almost 100 FLEx projects that invited students into God's story in a myriad of ways. Thank you, Elizabeth.

The TfT Tips Trio
The term “habit stacking,” first used by SJ Scott, then further popularized by James Clear, encourages the practice of incorporating a new habit into your routine by linking it with a current practice or habit. James Clear identifies this formula for habit stacking:
After/Before [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT].
This week’s tips offer examples of how to practice habit stacking with the ongoing growth of storyboarding.
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
700 7th St NE
Sioux Center, IA | 51250 US
This email was sent to jamin.vervelde@dordt.edu.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.