I remember the first time a colleague suggested that I lead a conference workshop.

The nudge sparked many emotions in me—surprise, gratitude, pride. His belief in me bolstered my own confidence: I submitted a workshop proposal. But once my proposal was accepted, the prominent emotion was fear.

The workshop setting didn’t help. The room was in the basement of a hotel, at the end of a dimly lit hallway, a space dominated by a golf simulator. People sat on stools and leaned their elbows on the bar that ran the length of the space. The space was suited well for many things; an education workshop was not one of them.

In full transparency, the workshop didn’t go as I had hoped. I was too nervous, I talked too much, my talk didn’t flow well, and it wasn’t that well attended (mostly by people I would identify as friends).

Despite this inauspicious beginning to my conference speaking career, it was a meaningful one. Blemished and all, that workshop led to further invitations, a revised draft of my presentation, and some serious personal growth and learning that continues to direct my work.

I am 100% certain that I get to do what I do now because of that experience.

Think of this story as your personal invitation to submit a proposal for our first annual TfT network conference at Harding Academy in March. Or encourage a colleague to share the story of their TfT work.

One of my favorite readings that we use in TfT work is the Prayer of Oscar Romero. While I love every line in this prayer, the following words echo within me today:

We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.

May these words nudge you to consider the invitation to share your TfT journey at next spring’s conference. TfT has always been designed as an invitation for God’s story to flourish within Christian education. We would love to learn from you and your story.

The deadline for submitting proposals is June 15, 2026. 

2026 TfT Summer Masterclass

Registration Deadline: June 27

Registration for our 2026 TfT Summer Masterclasses continues to climb. This year’s offerings include—

TfT Masterclasses are led by school-based practitioners and are designed for educators who have been implementing TfT practices in their classrooms for at least one year. Each session offers a focused, practical learning experience that equips participants with concrete TfT plans for the year ahead while fostering meaningful connections across the TfT network to encourage, support, and sustain your work.

Learn more and register below. Please contact Amanda Scott, TfT Director of Learning, with any questions. Registration closes on June 27, 2026.

Celebrating Early Adopters

Growing in the Practice of Celebrations

of Learning

In past TfT Bulletins, we have shared how Grace Community School has incorporated the practice of Celebrations of Learning. The school continues to tweak this event and grow in this practice. As Instructional Coach Elizabeth Benscoter shares, they are getting closer to the event they envision:

Our Celebrations of Learning have gone through quite a few iterations over the past four years. The one this year was definitely more on the path that we desire, and we were encouraged with how it turned out! I think we are finally on the "refining" process now instead of "establishing" or "inventing," which is such a lovely place to be!

Here is the program from their latest celebration.

FLEx Cards: Celebrating Surrey Christian School

At Surrey Christian School, students are reminded that learning rooted in “engaging the world in the servant way of Jesus” flourishes when it is lived out in community. When students see their work as meaningful contribution, their learning becomes a gift to the world.

In Katie Churchill’s Grade 2 FLEx, students studied marine animals and felt compelled to care for God’s creation in tangible ways. They partnered with the Vancouver Marine Mammal Rescue Society, raising awareness and funds to support the protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable marine life.

In Katy Deken’s Grade 12 English Studies FLEx, students collaborated with an editor from a national publication to craft short pieces on topics impacting them. Through publication, students used their voices to build connections and foster empathy within their communities.

Together, these learning experiences illustrate God’s people actively discovering and living into their role in His unfolding story.

Opening Circles with the Throughlines