Dear Colleagues,

As we fully enter into summer break (several schools are still in session this week, but most have now finished), we would like to take a moment to recognize the teachers, school administrators, and leaders who are coming to the end of their time in a school. Whether through retirement, family leave (a few babies are on their way!), a career change, relocation, or a move to another school, we thank you for what you have given to your school, students, and the families who have been in your care. We are not singling you out by name, as, to do so, would risk overlooking some people, but we are very mindful that we have several long-tenured school leaders who are retiring, who, between them, have given many decades of energy, knowledge, and countless hours of hard work to Public Waldorf education. Thank you for being researchers, problem-solvers, inventors, nurses, parents, counselors, friends, advisors, deciders, occasional plumbers and carpenters, and all-around doers. Thank you for figuring out how to do a lot with a little. We thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

The everyday life of a school, whether for a teacher or school director, is busy and full - as the saying goes, the days are often long, but the years are short. We only need to look at the remarkable physical growth of our students to remind us of that. We are often right in the moment, attending to immediate needs. As we round out another year, it can be helpful to step back and remind ourselves of the big picture and the long arc and impact of our work. Over 100 years ago, Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, reminded the teachers of the first school that the effects of our work are truly long-lasting; many will be immediately visible, but others will not show up until our students are in full adulthood, in their 20s, 30, 40s, or beyond, and will show in their bodies, minds, and hearts. This is a deeply humbling thought, yet it is one that resonates as true. With their parents or guardians (and along with youth leaders, coaches, and others), we are helping shape and guide young lives and bodies. I always found this a bit overwhelming and yet filled with hope and purpose. As a parent, I am deeply grateful for those who helped raise my children. 

For our new retirees, we know that “retirement” for educators can be a very loose term, and we fully hope and expect to see some of you in workshops, at conferences, and as members of site visit teams, where an experienced school leader adds enormous depth and knowledge, a true gift to a school (I felt obligated to drop this suggestion in - if you are interested, make sure we have your personal email address!) If retirement is your next step, may it include adventure, new vistas, deep rest, and a chance for reflection.

May summer break for everyone include those essential qualities: some adventures, new vistas, even if just down the road, deep rest, and chances for reflection. May it also include the stimulation of professional development to help stock your educator’s toolkit for the new year. In addition to workshops or courses, I always found summer preparation the perfect excuse for trips to some of my favorite places: libraries, bookstores, and, best of all, craft and office supply stores. Enjoy!

With this edition of our E-news, we are signing off for summer. We hope to see many of you online in July for our summer professional development series. If there are new-to-Waldorf folks, our three-day Fundamentals of Public Waldorf education will provide a helpful framework. Let’s make sure our new colleagues have some essential concepts and tools!

On behalf of our Board, we wish you a fulfilling and relaxing summer. We will pick up our E-news again in late August.

Warmly and gratefully, 

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

Waldorf Institute of Southern California (WISK):

The Power of Literacy in Grades 1-4

Jun. 30- Jul. 4, 2025: In-Person, Waldorf School of San Diego, CA

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com

The Power or Literacy in Grades 5-8

Jul. 7-11, 2025 In-Person, Highland Hall Waldorf School, CA

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com

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: 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

Waldorf Institute of Southern California (WISK):

Accompanying Children with Anxieties and Trauma

Jul. 14-18, 2025: Early Childhood Week: In-Person, Waldorf School of San Diego, CA

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com

Building a Strong Foundation for Literacy in the First 7 Years

Jul. 21-25, 2025: Early Childhood Week: In-Person, Highland Hall Waldorf School, CA

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com

Honoring Human Dignity and Diversity

Jul. 28-30, 2025 (9am-12pm): Online

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com

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

1000+ free Waldorf teaching resources and on demand and live teaching literacy courses

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.

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