Westbury Christian School reached a significant milestone in our educational journey when we were accepted into the Teaching for Transformation (TfT) network last spring. We became the sixth school in Texas and the very first in Houston to join this innovative community dedicated to enhancing the learning experience through faith-based education.
What is Teaching for Transformation?
Teaching for Transformation is not just a curriculum but a comprehensive instructional a framework that enables schools and educators to build meaningful, genuine connections between faith and learning. Designed to help students See God’s Story and Live God’s Story, TfT guides them to understand and embrace their unique roles within that narrative.
The journey with TfT is multi-faceted, involving extensive professional development and the implementation of classroom practices that include core elements such as storylines and throughlines, alongside formational learning experiences.
Continuous Professional Development
As part of our dedication to educational excellence, we have incorporated Teaching for Transformation into our faculty development programs. Throughout this school year, during each early dismissal, our teachers participate in one module of the framework. These sessions are engaging and interactive, allowing our teachers to experience firsthand the innovative strategies they can apply in their own classrooms.
Each module ends with a “commit to try” activity, allowing teachers to directly implement what they’ve learned into their teaching methods. For example, at the start of this school year, our educators and students worked together to explore various “What if…?” questions, encouraging a culture of curiosity and inquiry in the classroom.
Insights from Our Educators
So far this year, our teachers have already posed thought-provoking “What if…?” questions to enhance teaching and learning strategies. They have engaged in discussions about faith and learning dynamics within their classrooms and conducted student surveys to gather insights on their faith experiences at school.
We’ll review these surveys at the end of this week to identify strengths and find opportunities for growth within our learning community. By analyzing the feedback, we can customize our educational approach to better meet the spiritual and academic needs of our students, making sure that each child is recognized and valued within the framework of God’s Story.
Looking Ahead
Our faculty development efforts are not just about improving teaching methods; they’re about shaping the hearts and minds of our students as they navigate their own stories in faith.
We are eager to witness the transformation unfolding in our classrooms. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress and the impactful changes happening across our school!
