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Overview of Waldorf Teacher Training Programs
Matriculated Diploma/Degree Programs:
- Waldorf Teacher Training Programs (full-time and part-time)
- Waldorf Teacher Training: Hybrid Modality (for Waldorf-Inspired Charter School teachers)
- Waldorf Teacher Training for Subject Teachers in Handwork
What is Waldorf Education? >>Learn more
Full-Time Programs
(Residential, Matriculated)
Begins September 3, 2013
Format: This is a one-year, full-time, residential program that takes place in Fair Oaks, CA, from September through May for 30-weeks. The Foundation Program is the first year of the Waldorf Teacher Training program, and can also be taken as a stand-alone program. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 8:15 AM to 3:20 PM. A new class begins every year.
Overview: This program is a creative gateway into the work of Rudolf Steiner and the worldview of anthroposophy (“the wisdom of becoming human”), filled with discovery, personal growth, self-transformation and practical activity leading toward professions that renew culture and heal the earth. The Foundation Program serves as the prerequisite for all of our Waldorf Teacher Training programs - at the early childhood (kindergarten), elementary (grades 1-8), or secondary (high school) level. *Please note that secondary (high school) education training is only offered through the part-time summer program, for which the Summer Foundation Courses also serve as prerequisite.
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at rsc@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
Waldorf Teacher Training Program
Begins September 3, 2013
Format: Including the one-year Foundation Program, this is a two-year, full-time, residential program that takes place in Fair Oaks, CA, from September through May for 30-weeks. If the student has completed the Foundation Program or its equivalent already, he/she may enter directly into Year 2, the Teacher Training Year. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 8:15 AM to 3:20 PM. A new class begins every year.
Overview: This program allows future Waldorf teachers to develop the imagination, perception, and skills needed to meet the growing child with care and understanding. In addition to the academic and artistic curriculum, this program includes courses in child development, philosophy, pedagogical lectures as well as strengthening the inner life. Additionally, practice teaching in a Waldorf classroom offers opportunities to enhance classroom skills, gain self-confidence through mentoring, and understand the complex responsibilities of becoming a Waldorf teacher. Students may choose a focus of either Early Childhood (birth through kindergarten) or Elementary (grades 1-8) education through this program (for secondary high school education, students may attend the Waldorf High School Teacher Training Program) . This program culminates in a Waldorf Teaching Diploma. An M.A. option is available.*
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at rsc@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
Full-Time Waldorf Teacher Training areas of focus:
Early Childhood Our early childhood programs are based on the latest research and our understanding of the need to protect the wonder of childhood, including the child’s right to learn through creative play. The curriculum is focused on developmentally appropriate care giving and education with emphasis on the young child’s physical, emotional and mental health. Students learn activities that help foster enthusiastic learning, intellectual growth, self-esteem and social responsibility. >>Learn more
Elementary Grades (1-8) In addition to studies of child development, Waldorf elementary (grades 1-8) training includes pedagogy, methodology, creative integration of the arts, and practical aspects such as classroom management. This program focuses on preparing teachers to not only guide children through the main lesson blocks, but also to foster a genuine love of learning that each child will carry for a lifetime. The curriculum includes an overview, examples and resources for lesson blocks in each of the eight grades, as well as two, month-long practicums in which students are able to learn side-by-side with an experienced teacher. >>Learn more
Part-Time Programs
(Part-Time, Matriculated)
Weekend / Summer Waldorf Teacher Training Program - San Francisco
Begins September 13, 2013
Format: This program takes place over the course of three years and each year includes the following: Friday evening and Saturday morning classes at our San Francisco, CA satellite campus during the school year (September through May); and three weeks of intensive classes each summer at our Fair Oaks, CA campus (typically in July). Weekend sessions in San Francisco are scheduled Fridays from 7 - 10 PM, and Saturdays from 8:30 AM till 3 PM. Summer session classes are from 8 AM until as late as 9 PM, Monday through Friday and some weekends.
Overview: This weekend / summer program is all-inclusive –it combines both foundation courses and teacher education coursework- and is ideal for those living in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Students may choose a focus of Early Childhood, Elementary (grades 1-8) Education, or Secondary (high school) Education through this program. Seven weeks of classroom observation and practice teaching are also included. The program culminates in a Waldorf Teaching Diploma. An M.A. option is available*.
For more information on this program, please contact the Program Director, Irène François, at irene.francois@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
Begin June 20, 2013
Format: These courses take place over three summers with additional coursework through the fall and spring of the first and second years. The eight-day, full-time, summer sessions take place at our Fair Oaks, CA campus, with classes from 8 AM until as late as 9 PM. Summer sessions typically begin on a Thursday and run through the following Friday (there is no class on the Sunday in between).
Overview: This program fulfills the prerequisite requirement for our part-time Summer Waldorf Teacher Training programs - for Early Childhood, Elementary (grades 1-8) Education, and Secondary (high school) Education concentrations- and is designed to be taken concurrently with these programs. The Summer Foundation Courses may also be taken as a stand-alone training for personal study and renewal, for credit or simply as an auditor.
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at rsc@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
Summer Waldorf Teacher Training Program
Begins with the Summer Foundation Courses on June 20, 2013, or with the curriculum weeks on June 30, 2013 (Sunday evening) if all foundation work has been completed
Format: The Summer Waldorf Teacher Training Program takes place over three summers with additional coursework through the fall and spring of the first and second years. The 4.5 week summer sessions take place at our Fair Oaks, CA campus, and include the required prerequisite Summer Foundation Courses, which comprise the first 8 days of each summer session. Summer session classes are from 8 AM until as late as 9 PM, Monday through Friday and some weekend days.
Overview: This program is designed for currently practicing teachers or those with some teaching background, and the coursework is modeled after the full-time, residential program. Students may choose a focus of Early Childhood (birth through Kindergarten), Elementary (grades 1-8) Education or Secondary (high school) Education. This program culminates in a Waldorf Teaching Diploma. An M.A. option is available. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at rsc@steinercollege.edu >>Learn more
*Please note – this is the ONLY program in which a focus of Secondary Education (High School) is offered.
Part-Time Summer Waldorf Teacher Training areas of focus:
Early Childhood (kindergarten) or Elementary (grades 1-8)
The part-time, summer modality of early childhood or elementary (grades 1-8) education is ideal for currently practicing teachers, but exceptions can be made for those without teaching experience who are unable to take the full-time, residential modality. It is similar in content to the full-time, residential program, and includes continuing independent study and practice teaching in Waldorf schools during the school year. This program, like the full-time, residential program, culminates in a Waldorf Teaching Diploma. An M.A. option is available*. >>Learn more
Secondary Education: Waldorf High School Teacher Training Program
Students must come to this training with a strong academic background in their specific subject areas and an enthusiasm for working with the challenges of adolescence. The rigorous and comprehensive curriculum includes academic material, independent study, student teaching, and mentoring. The program culminates in a Waldorf Teaching Diploma. An M.A. option is available*. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at rsc@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
Summer Waldorf Teacher Training - Early Childhood In-Service Program
For Year 1 and 2, begins with the Summer Foundation Courses on June 20, 2013, or with the curriculum weeks on June 30, 2013 (Sunday evening) if all foundation work has been completed
For Year 3, begins on June 30, 2013
Format: This is a three year program that follows the following format: A 3.5 week summer session each summer for two years (the 3.5 weeks includes 8 days of foundations courses); an intensive one week session in the fall of the second year; and an intensive three week summer session in the third year (curriculum work only). There is also continuing independent study, observation, and mentoring between the summer sessions. Summer session classes are from 8 AM until as late as 9 PM, Monday through Friday and some weekends. The fall session (in the second year only) occurs over a long weekend (Friday - Tuesday) with classes from 9 AM on Friday through 4 PM on Tuesday.
Overview: This program is designed for those who have familiarity with Waldorf education and have worked at least one year in a Waldorf early childhood setting (at a WECAN member or ASWNA Waldorf School). The student must continue working in an early childhood setting throughout the course of the training. The program culminates in a Waldorf Teaching Diploma. An M.A. option is available*.
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at rsc@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
Summer Waldorf Teacher Training, Hybrid Modality
Begins July 1, 2013
Format: This program takes place over three summers, with coursework through the fall and spring of the first and second years (webinars, mentoring, etc.). Summer sessions take place at our Fair Oaks, CA campus, and include 2 weeks of curriculum work plus a week-long, grade-specific Art of Teaching intensive. Summer session classes are from 8 AM until as late as 9 PM, Monday through Friday
Overview: This program is all-inclusive –it combines both foundation studies and teacher education coursework- and is specifically designed to meet the challenges of those currently teaching in Waldorf-inspired (charter) public schools, but can also be taken by teachers practicing in private Waldorf schools (with approval from the Program Director). The Program culminates in a Waldorf Teaching Diploma. An M.A. option is available*.
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at rsc@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
*M.A. in Waldorf Education: The Master of Arts in Education with a Concentration in Waldorf Education from Rudolf Steiner College has been reviewed and found acceptable by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), by which Rudolf Steiner College was awarded Candidacy for Accreditation as of 3/08/12. RSC has institutional approval. For further information, please visit www.steinercollege.edu and click on Admissions, College Catalogue. See section four of the Catalogue for requirements and course descriptions. If you would like one of our faculty or staff to contact you about our MA options, please e-mail rsc@steinercollege.edu.
Part-Time Specialty Programs
Year 1 began in November 2012, Summer semester begins July 29, 2013
A new cycle begins every two years, and the next one begins November, 2014
Format: This program meets in Fair Oaks, CA three times a year for three years. The Spring and Fall sessions are each five days long and occur over a long weekend, with classes from 8:15 AM to 8:30 PM (except the first and last day, which are half days); and the summer sessions are two weeks long, with classes from 8:30 AM till 8:30 PM, including one Saturday.
Overview: This Program is designed for those who have already completed their Waldorf Teacher Training, and is an ideal course for teachers who wish to expand their understanding of, and ways of working with, learning and/or behavior challenged students. Many valuable, supportive approaches will be given for use in the classroom and for individual work. Students will learn assessment procedures and a variety of pedagogical exercises and approaches. They will observe educational support teachers working with students, teachers and parents during Year Two, and they will work with individual students, parents, and teachers under the supervision of mentors during Year Three. Experts in educational and medical fields contribute to this valuable program. For more information contact the Program Director, Ingun Schneider, at ingun.schneider@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
Waldorf Teacher Training For Subject Teachers in Handwork
Begins June 20, 2013 with the modified Foundation Program, or on June 30, 2013 if all foundation work has been completed
Format: This Program takes place over the course of three years, and each year includes the following: A three-week, summer session at our Fair Oaks, CA campus (this includes the modified Foundation Program for Subject Teachers, which is the first week of each summer session); a five-day session in the spring, also at our Fair Oaks campus; and supplementary coursework in between the sessions. Summer session classes are from 8:30 AM till as late as 9 PM (depending on the year and week). Spring sessions occur over a long weekend, with classes from 8 AM till 8:30 PM, except the first and last day which can be shorter.
Overview: The handwork program focuses on the philosophical foundations of Waldorf education, age-appropriate lessons for the grades curriculum, practical skills, and mentoring with master teachers. Also included are continuing independent study and observation in Waldorf schools during the school year. Other areas may include therapeutic applications, collegial relationships, classroom management, and parent education. Requirement: Students must already have some experience with handcrafts before beginning this program. For more information, contact the Program Coordinator, Alecia Dodge, at alecia.dodge@steinercollege.edu . >>Learn more
How to Apply
For information about the Admissions process, Tuition and Fees, and Financial Aid, go to our Admissions page or contact us.
Visit Rudolf Steiner College!
Schedule a visit to either our Fair Oaks or San Francisco campus, or attend an information evening. To learn more about visiting, or for more information on any of our programs, please email us at rsc@steinercollege.edu. >>Learn more
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