A Waldorf Journey Podcast

This week we're talking about one of my secret weapons for making this Waldorf teaching work so much easier. It took me awhile to figure it out, but having a structure and a set of systems will make this job so much more sustainable. This week I'm going to talk about some of the rhythms I've established in my teaching and how you can keep a balance between new, exciting inspiration...

This week we're talking about Waldorf Parenting. I've got some pretty strong opinions (they maybe even a little controversial) and some basic ideas to help you create an intentional Waldorf family life for yourself and your children. This episode is being brought to you by my ebook The Waldorf Home. If you’re interested in reading ideas, suggestions and tips for making your home more ali...

Many of us are teaching in ways we never expected before and it's pushing us far beyond our comfort zones. We miss working with our students in person, but the news isn't all bad. I, for one, have been amazed at how much learning and connection is actually happening in our distance learning arrangement. In this episode we'll talk all about distance learning, some things I've le...

This week we're talking about feedback and record-keeping for Waldorf teachers. We'll explore the different types of feedback you need to give and who you need to consider when putting together your feedback plan. Promo This episode is being brought to you by my course, Feedback and Record-Keeping for Waldorf Teachers . I've offered this course in the past, but it's been update...

This episode is being brought to you by my free workshop, the 3 classroom management strategies every waldorf teacher needs to know, which will be released in later this month (October 2020.) I’m really excited to offer this workshop because I think it is something that isn’t talked about enough in our training courses and it is exactly what Waldorf teachers need to be thinking about right now. Ju...

Introduction This episode is being brought to you by my new course, Feedback and Record-Keeping for Waldorf Teachers . I've offered this course in the past, but it's been updated and brought over to my own platform so it's more available. I strongly believe that providing feedback and keeping parents, students, and administration updated on student progress is a place where Waldorf...

I taught for a long time before I really became aware of all of the nuances of teaching language arts and I have to say it is the aspect of my teaching that has occupied most of my attention for the past few years. There is so much to think about and I find it endlessly fascinating to consider how students become readers and how they use the English language. So I’m really excited to explore some...

When I first started teaching, I remember feeling like the 2 hours of main lesson was an eternity. I thought it would be impossible to fill that time with valuable content. These days I’m far more likely to run out of time and not get to everything than to have extra time on my hands. The truth is that when you understand the different components of main lesson, you’ll see how the time just flies...

Getting connected with a good mentor can really make or break your experience and success as a Waldorf teacher. I had a couple of fantastic mentors early in my career and it made all the difference. I attribute those early mentoring years to my continued success. This episode is all about how to connect with a mentor and make the most of the experience. Do you have a mentor to support your teachin...

Welcome, I’ve been looking forward to recording for a while now and I’m so glad to finally have the time to do it. In this episode, I’m going to share what’s happening in 3rd grade and some of my observations about the highlights and challenges of teaching 3rd grade. This episode is being brought to you by my free workshop, the 3 classroom management strategies every Waldorf teacher needs to know,...

So much is made of delaying reading instruction until after early childhood, that many parents wonder if it's okay to follow their child’s interests and begin reading instruction. Other parents wonder if they should push their child, even when they are not demonstrating any interest at age 7 or 8. I have lots of thoughts about it and am here to help sort it out. This episode is being brought...

How much screen time is okay? What about educational shows? Is it really that bad? Will the Waldorf police come after me? Making decisions about media use for your children is one of the most charged issues in Waldorf Education. There are so many shoulds that parents can feel completely unsupported in their decisions. That's what this episode is all about. This episode is being brought to you...

Classroom management is a topic that isn't talked about enough in our Waldorf teacher training institutions. My teachers said that every situation was so unique, it was difficult to come up with blanket recommendations and practices. But there are things we can do. And cultivating that idyllic, beautiful Waldorf classroom takes some work. This episode is being brought to you by my  Fall Produ...

It is the end of August, if you’re listening to this episode when it is released and teachers everywhere are in the throes of organizing their classrooms. Things get so busy as the year goes on, it’s important to start out with systems for keeping supplies and resources organized. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in that classroom, so start thinking about it as a little home away from hom...

The Waldorf life sciences curriculum is pretty amazing, which makes sense for a philosophy that puts so much value on the natural world. When I first started teaching, I was a little intimidated about doing the sciences right, in a way that aligned with Waldorf philosophy and that phenomenological approach that really values the natural world. That intimidation inspired me to really dive deep when...

Summer is not an easy time to be a Waldorf parent, and I know plenty of parents who struggle with this time. I’ve been talking this summer with friends and colleagues who are sharing the struggle, and I thought I’d share some of it with you. In my neck of the woods, at the time of this recording, we’ve got a month left of summer. Just about the time that things are starting to feel hard. You’ve ma...

This week I’m here to talk with you about the Waldorf basics -- documents you need to create to guide the work that you’re doing during every school year. What are the things you need to think about to give structure to your school year?  This episode is being brought to you by my Basics series. If after listening to this episode you realize that you need some help putting things together, then yo...

This week I talk about some of my favorite resources. These are the books I turn to again and again and recommend to friends and colleagues. If you’re wondering what books will give you the most bang for your buck as you grow your Waldorf library, these are the ones to get. Links to things I mentioned this week: My Summer Productivity Course A blog post with a rundown of these resources The resour...

This week I’m here to talk with you about summer planning. As much as I love taking a break from the classroom during the summer, I also love doing my summer planning. Today I want to talk with you about some of the things you should be thinking about with your summer planning, and things you should not be thinking about. This episode is being brought to you by my Summer Productivity Course . I’ve...

In this episode, I go through the different kinds of end of year reports. I also share the framework that I've settled on. Whether you've started your reports or not, it will give you some good food for thought. Want to donate to the podcast? Click through to make your donation through Patreon. Interested in signing up for the 30 days till summer report writing challenge? Enter your emai...

A quick episode to come to you with all of the Waldorf teacher topics that are currently on my mind. Summer Professional Development Student Assessment Working Through Individualized Learning Plans Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences Writing Reports Planning the Summer Don't miss out! My Spring Productivity Course for Waldorf Teachers starts in just one week! You can still join and work with me...

How do you become a Waldorf teacher? That's what this episode is all about. I describe my own path to becoming a Waldorf teacher, as well as some of the pros and cons of Waldorf teaching. For more information . . . Read the blog post on which this podcast is based . There's lots more information about the different kinds of teacher trainings and things to think about before deciding. Mak...

Find more information about the podcast, blog and other content at www.awaldorfjourney.com .  Join the email list to get notified about content releases by texting WALDORF to 444999. Support the podcast by donating through Patreon . Mentioned in this episode A Waldorf Journey Teacher Tribe on Facebook . Information about the Spring Productivity Course .

Ways to support the podcast . . . a donation through Patreon purchasing one of my curriculum guides clicking one of the  Amazon affiliate links  on my site. Here are links to some of the things mentioned in this podcast. Waldorf Inspirations -- the amazing Waldorf teacher resource site developed and maintained by Janet and her partner Patty Connelly Information page about Roadmap to Literacy on th...

Ways to support the podcast . . . a donation through Patreon purchasing one of my curriculum guides clicking one of the  Amazon affiliate links on my site. Here are links to some of the things mentioned in this podcast. Waldorf Inspirations -- the amazing Waldorf teacher resource site developed and maintained by Janet and her partner Patty Connelly Information page about Roadmap to Literacy on the...