July 7-18, 2008
Brochure and Registration Form (pdf)

Kindergarten

Grades 1-3 • Grades 4-6 • Grades 7-8

What Leading Educators Have Said . . .

I believe that Waldorf education possesses unique educational features that have considerable potential for improving public education in America. . ..Waldorf schools provide a program that . .. not only fosters conventional forms of academic achievement, but also puts a premium on the development of imagination and the refinement of the sensibilities.

Elliot Eisner, Professor of Education and Art, Stanford University;
Past President, American Educational Research Association

Waldorf education embodies in a truly organic sense all seven of the intelligences that Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner speaks about in his Theory of Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Spatial, Intrapersonal and Interpersonal. . . Steiner had the breadth of vision seventy-five years ago to see something that educators are now waking up to. . . And Steiner’s vision is a whole one, not simply an amalgam of the seven intelligences. Many schools are currently attempting to construct curricula based on Gardner’s model simply through an additive process (What can we add to what we’ve already got?). Steiner’s approach, however, was to begin with a deep inner vision of the child and the child’s needs and build a curriculum around that vision.

Thomas Armstrong, Author
Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom and Awakening Genius

One of the strengths of the Waldorf curriculum is its balance and depth: the emphasis on the arts ... the rich use of the spoken word through poetry and storytelling. .. Above all, the way the lessons integrate traditional subject matter is, to my knowledge, unparalleled. ..Those in the public school reform movement have some important things to learn from what Waldorf educators have been doing for many years. It’s an enormously impressive effort toward quality education.

Ernest Boyer, Former U.S. Commissioner of Education;
Former President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Waldorf is healing education. . . It is with a sense of adventure that the staff of Milwaukee Public Schools embraces the Waldorf concept in an urban multicultural setting. It is clear that Waldorf principles are in concert with our goals for educating all children.

Robert S. Peterkin, Director of Urban Superintendents’ Program
Harvard Graduate School of Education;
Former Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools

What Institute Participants Have Said . . .

This institute has given me more insight into child development than any other professional development I've participated in over the past 15 years. It has reinforced that learning is a joyful event and I'm leaving with a renewed sense of the power of teaching.

Donna Stottman, Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville, KY

These ten days have profoundly transformed our lives and renewed our commitment to children. ...We laughed, we sang, we did poetry and storytelling. While all this looked and felt like fun, learning was happening on the deepest level. . .. Once again, we are passionate about teaching.

Susan Sheridan & Claudia Miller, Oakland Public Schools, CA

This was undoubtedly the finest educational experience I have ever had. I felt that so much of my own potential was opened up in areas that I would not have expected.And it was beautiful to see how others as well as myself had the experience of hidden and unexpected talents blossoming and new interests awakening. This is definitely the way we should be teaching.

Robert Jamison, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, Clemson University

I have been teaching for 30 years and have two Master's Degrees as well as seven teaching credentials; this is one of the best courses I've ever taken. The methods presented are especially useful for the at - risk children I teach.

Seyedeh Dehghan, Success Academy, Sacramento City Unified, CA

This has been an incredible journey. I'm grateful for two weeks of immersion in a joyful, thought provoking and actively engaging learning experience; I think all teachers should be required to experience a course like this prior to credentialing.

Eileen Keane, Birch Lane Elem., Davis Joint Unified, CA

Every teacher and administrator should attend this institute. What a great way to gain insight into the development of the child and how we as educators can aid in fostering a nurturing, healthy environment and curriculum for the child.

William Grange, Journey School, Capistrano Unified, CA

In my sixteen years of teaching, I have never attended a more valuable training.

Sally Grimsrud, Village School, Eugene, OR

My second visit was just as valuable as the first. The four weeks that I have invested in attending these institutes have been the best academic experience I have ever had. Thank you for this gift. It has changed my life and my classroom forever.

Melanie Holliday, Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville, KY

I have just spent two of the most enjoyable weeks of my summer. Though the institute lasted only two weeks, the teaching techniques learned will stay with me my entire teaching career. Each day students were treated to motivating lectures, uplifting singing, movement games, and the opportunity to experience many other Waldorf methods that could be applied to public school teaching.

Annette Miller, Madison Elem. Roseville, CA

This is the most balanced, useful, soul-feeding teacher training I have enjoyed in all my 25 years of teaching. Thank you for the depth of caring, knowledge, humor, and integrity you offered us.

Karen Loyster, La Vida Charter, Ukiah Unified, CA

The institute has been a turning point in my 30 plus year career. This has been a groundbreaking experience for me and has brought into action what I have been dreaming of for over 10 years. It materialized my dream.

Jan Dawson, Mark West Union School District, Forestville CA

This institute was incredibly valuable. It helped me to redefine not only how I think about children and education, but also how I think about myself. This was such an eye, heart, mind, body, spirit opening and expanding experience. I overcame several blocks and did things I would not have thought I could love so much.

Tara Kintz, East Bay Conservation Corps Charter, Oakland, CA

I enjoyed the diversity of artistic expressions we were engaged in––song, dance, drawing, painting, playing an instrument, knitting. The instructors were masterful at integrating these experiences into the teaching methods. I only hope that I can give as much joy and beauty to my students as you have given to me.

Kateri Simonds, Bennie Elementary, Allen Park Schools, MI

• back to top

---

For information: please contact Arline Monks
(916) 961-3932 at Rudolf Steiner College

WALDORF APPROACH IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader,
please go to the Adobe website for a FREE download.