Dear Colleagues,

We are still at peak activity in most schools with the last day of school almost here or already arrived - the crescendo I spoke of in our previous E-news. We are also in bouquet season, appropriate as the world around us is bursting with flowers of every size, shape and color. Many flowers will change hands in schools over these final days of another school year. Flowers will be offered to you by students and parents to say thank you for all you have represented and given this year. Bouquets will be presented to volunteers, with heartfelt thanks for the often quiet, often background work that keeps our school communities humming. We will honor and celebrate departing colleagues, whether they are entering retirement or embarking on new adventures. 

Central to the traditions and celebrations of most schools, flowers will be offered and will exchange hands to mark transitions and culminations; the end of the journey within the school for the graduating class, whether eighth or twelfth grade. Graduation or commencement traditions vary by school, but they often serve as a mirror to the beginning of the journey, the opening day of a new school year, but with roles reversed. Whereas the oldest students welcomed incoming students (first or ninth grade) on the first day of school, now the rising second graders or rising sophomores have an opportunity to honor their older buddies or friends, usually with the symbolism of the gift of a flower. 

Each time a class “launches” to a new phase, we have a chance to step back and witness what many hands and much effort have achieved. Every progressing or graduating class contains a miracle - or, quite often, several miracles. There before our eyes is the child who could not meet anyone’s gaze, now standing tall and confident. The young adult who, several years earlier, needed a loving, patient escort every morning to separate from a parent and make it to the classroom. The child who arrived unable to speak a word of English who now confidently reads, speaks, and cheerfully translates for others. The list goes on - as I write, I am bringing my own images of miracles to mind and invite you to take a moment to do the same. We get to help create them, and our rites of passage allow us a moment to acknowledge the transformations that have taken place. 

For each one of you miracle workers, I offer a (virtual) bouquet in gratitude for your work; a bouquet of appreciation. It is bright, fragrant, colorful, and vibrant, a living reflection of life in schools. The range of flowers is vast; from this range, several flowers that must be plucked for this bouquet of gratitude. Roses for sure, a timeless symbol of love, in recognition of all the love you have given. The golden burst of sunflowers for the loyalty you showed as you saw the gifts and promise of a young student and walked patiently beside them, helping remove obstacles. An iris or two for your abiding trust, hope, and wisdom. In a cynical age, teaching is, above all, a deed of hope and trust in the unfolding of young human beings and, therefore, trust in the future. Lavender for your calming influence. Gerbera daisies for your good cheer. Marigolds for your creativity and resourcefulness. A daisy or three for the new beginnings that every ending contains. Let’s tuck in a few sprigs of rosemary and some tiny blooms of forget-me-nots to cherish and symbolize the vast store of memories every educator holds. Fragrant sweet peas as an expression of our gratitude. Finally, a couple of poppies, symbols of sleep and rest, which we hope will be an important part of your summer.

The bouquet could continue to grow, as there are so many facets of an educator’s work. For now, this is tied carefully with ribbons and presented to you with our deep gratitude for everything you give and do. I hope you can slow down enough to cherish the closing out of another school year and to marvel at what you have done.

Liz Beaven

Executive Director

Upcoming Professional Development

and Teacher Preparation

Gradalis:

Teaching as an Art Week

Jun. 22-27, 2025: In-Person, Boulder, CO

https://gradalis.edu/teaching-as-an-art/

Teacher Training

Jun. 22- Jul. 11, 2025: In-Person, Boulder, CO

https://gradalis.edu/

Sunbridge Institute: Summer Series-

Leadership, Early Childhood & Grades 1-8

Jun. 22-27, 2025: Intro to Waldorf Early Childhood, In-Person, Chesternut Ridge, NY

Jun. & Jul. 2025: Online: Summer Series Courses

https://www.sunbridge.edu/courses-workshops/summer-series/

Sophia's Hearth:

Summer Courses including: Intro to Waldorf ECE, Child Development I/II, Celebrating Festivals with Children, & Parent/Caregiver and Child work

June 23-July 11, 2025: In person, Keene, NH

https://www.sophiashearth.org/teachers/summer

Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Certification (ongoing)

June 23-July 11, 2025: In person, Keene, NH

https://www.sophiashearth.org/teachers/certificates

Center for Anthroposophy: Renewal Summer Course

Jun. 29-Jul. 4, 2025: In-Person

Jul. 7-11, 2025 Online

https://centerforanthroposophy.org/programs/renewal-courses/

Great Lakes Waldorf Institute: High School Summer Professional Development

Jun. 30-Jul. 3, 2025: Online

Jul. 7-11, 2025: In-Person, Milwaukee, WI

https://www.greatlakeswaldorf.org/high-school

Kairos Institute, Summer Residency: Rekindling the Courage to Heal

Jul. 6-11, 2025: In-Person, Wilton, NH: A short intensive training

bit.ly/KairosSummer2025 / bit.ly/KairosInstitute

Journey School: Summer Renewal 2025- Art of Teaching

Jul. 7-11, 2025: In-Person, Aliso Viejo, CA

rsvpartofteaching2.pdf

Leading with Spirit: The Art of Administration

Jul. 7-11, 2025: Online

Jul. 13-18, 2025: In-Person, Whidbey Island, WA

Jul. 20-25, 2025: In-Person, Freeport, ME

https://www.leadingwithspirit.org/art-of-administration-leadership-training

Alliance for Public Waldorf Education: Virtual Summer Professional Development

Week #1 Jul. 9-11, 2025: Online

Week #2 Jul. 14-18, 2025: Online

https://www.publicwaldorf.org/alliance-professional-development

Antioch University Waldorf Teacher Education

Jul. 12-27, 2025: In-Person, Wilton, NH

https://www.antioch.edu/academics/education/waldorf-education-med/

Waldorf Handwork Educators: Online International Conference- Deep Roots, Strong Branches: Child Development, Classroom Leadership, and Collaboration in Waldorf Special Subjects

Jul. 14-17, 2025: Online

https://www.waldorfhandwork.org/july-2025-conference

Center for Anthroposophy: Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program

Class of 2027 enrolls this summer, Jul. 2025. Online & In-Person

https://centerforanthroposophy.org/programs/waldorf-high-school-teacher-education/whistep/

Waldorf Handwork Educators: 2-Year Online International Handwork Teacher Development Program

Aug. 2, 2025, Online (Applications open May 1, 2025)

https://www.waldorfhandwork.org/teacher-development

North America Youth Section: The Light Between: Questions, Craft, Community

Aug 6-10, 2025: In-Person, Hawthorne Valley Farm, NY

https://www.nayouthsection.org/about-the-conference

New Adult Learning Institute: Grounded in Practice: A New Waldorf Foundation Year

Aug 18, 2025 - April 30, 2026: One Week In-Person (Vancouver Island, Canada) & 8 months Online (bi-monthly)

https://haven-wood.ca/nalinstitute

Goetheanum Study Programs - Online & On-Campus

Aug. 29-Sept. 28, 2025: Online (5 Weekends of Anthroposophy)

Oct. 6, 2025- Jun. 26, 2026: In-Person, Switzerland (Anthroposophy Studies)

https://studium.goetheanum.ch/en

Gradalis: Understanding Waldorf Education Program

Sept. 2025-April 2026: Online

https://gradalis.edu/uwe-mentorship/

Alliance for Public Waldorf Education: Annual Conference

Jan. 16-18, 2026: In-Person & Online

Save the Date: Details coming soon

Center for Biography & Social Art

In-Person or Online

Awakening Connections; Creating Community

Jennifer Militzer-Kopperl: Renewal of Literacy

On-demand support courses for literacy and language arts in the grades; access for 6 months or 1 year, Online

renewalofliteracy.teachable.com/

Ashley Radzat Consulting: Comprehensive support for educators and school communities

On demand In-Person or Online sessions & workshops

radzatconsulting.com/school-services

Alma Partners: Consulting for Schools

Workshops, Online Courses, Inclusion and Belonging Assessments, Student Leadership Conferences, and more

almapartners.net/services

Kentahten Institute for Waldorf Instruction (KIWI)

Waldorf training for public school teachers tailored for your school -- we come to you

https://www.kiwiky.com/ / Contact Dr. Mary Goral: drmarygoral@gmail.com

Waldorf Inspirations

On-demand Teaching Literacy Workshops (access for 1 yr) & Literacy Focus Courses by Topic; school and teacher professional development services; 1000+ free teaching resources

https://waldorfinspirations.com/index.php

Please visit our website to find out about job postings at our member schools.

https://www.publicwaldorf.org/job-postings

For more information:

Liz Beaven, Executive Director 

Carly Fedor, Administrative Assistant

Alliance for Public Waldorf Education

1000 River Rock Drive, Suite 218

Folsom, CA 95630

Public Waldorf is a service mark of the Association of Waldorf Schools

of North America and is used pursuant to a license.

STAY CONNECTED