Community Recap: The Spirit of Waldorf Education
Our recent teacher in-service week was both enlightening and fulfilling, as we spent the majority of it with Elizabeth English, guest Waldorf teacher who provided observations and mentorship to our staff.
During her visit, we opened our doors to the community for The Spirit of Waldorf Education, a presentation and conversation led by Elizabeth. In case you missed it, below are the top five moments of the night, in no particular order!
1. The interactive geometry lesson
After hearing Elizabeth’s insight, we pushed back chairs and grouped up for an experiential learning activity, similar to what students encounter in the grades classrooms. With a ball of yarn, we learned a new way to view times tables.
2. Hearing community questions and answers
Parents had the opportunity to ask their own questions and initiate conversations about topics that matter most to them. Some of questions that spurred engaging conversation include:
- How do you see Waldorf Education changing in the next few years, and how might these changes impact our school?
- How well do children transfer from Waldorf school to a public high school?
- What are the benefits of a mixed-grades classroom?
See more of our frequently asked questions.
3. Ms. Kari saying “FOMO”
One of our early childhood teachers threw out her newly learned phrase (FOMO = Fear of Missing Out) during our group conversation, and it was a hoot! 🙂
4. Singing happy birthday to a lovely parent
Elizabeth’s background is rich with musical training including dance, flute, voice, piano and instrument making. She had the entire group harmonizing a Waldorf version of the Happy Birthday song to a parent in attendance – and it sounded lovely! Watch and hear for yourself:
5. Gaining a deeper understanding of the Waldorf curriculum and the path to discovery.
Overall, Elizabeth provided deep insight into one of the main goals of Waldorf education: to protect childhood. She walked us through the grades, sharing details about the curriculum as it aligns with human development and the phases of childhood. As Elizabeth put it, we strive to offer the right thing at the right time. Our end goal is a future of children who will bring new ideas and thoughts to our world.
We will leave you with a quote that Elizabeth shared many times throughout the week, that we feel encompasses Waldorf education and the spirit of our school:
We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot