97: What Is Transformational Education? (with Helen Vaughan)

Dr. Helen Vaughan, author and long-time educator, shares a definition for transformational education and fleshes out what this can look like in different educational environments. This conversation is foundational to understanding how we can live out our faith in the classroom in an authentic, impactful way!

• The Handbook for Transformational Education
• “The Holy Spirit transforms; we’re there as co-laborers.”
• “Transformational education is an education that creates learning environments where a student is encouraged by every aspect of the environment to embrace wholeheartedly and in every dimension of life God’s amazing design for him or herself. It’s God’s empowerment for a full, rewarding, and impactful life now and in the life to come.”
• “We are transformed for now, and it’s not just a question of what happens when we die.”
• “A full, whole transformation is when a learner, a student, bows before Jesus as Lord and Savior in their life. That is the epitome of a transformed life.”
• “I feel so much more freedom to love and embrace people and know that God’s got this. My role is to follow God and not just immediately try to jump in and convert people.”
• “Transformation is an ongoing process.”
• “Transformational education is founded upon a distinctly Christian worldview; however, it is more encompassing than instruction in worldview assumptions or propositions or upon our gaining information about our duties and behavior. Transformation is formational - the student is changed - and that rarely happens by information alone. The teacher must live out the worldview.”
• “How can I create a condition that cultivates transformation?”
• “We’re not in charge of manipulating kids or adults or campers or players into faith.”
• “I love Jesus passionately, and [...] I want people to have what I have because of Jesus.”

What’s changing our lives:

• Keane: Gathering with coworkers in person
• Heather: New nephew
• Helen: Chair yoga

Weekly Spotlight: International School of the Caucasus

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