• Podcast,  The Waldorf Approach,  Waldorf Homeschooling,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Fifth Grade and the Fifth Grader

    In this episode experienced Waldorf teacher Jen Kershaw and I explore fifth grade within a Waldorf school. We discuss the Waldorf fifth grade curriculum, how it uniquely meets the fifth grader where they're at, and much more! Subscribe to the Waldorf PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify More about Jen Kershaw... Jen Kershaw has a B.A. in Acting/Theater Performance from the University of South Florida, a Masters of Science in Education from Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts and a Waldorf Teaching Certificate from Antioch University New England. In the theater world, she performed with Metro Theater Company from St. Louis, Missouri, performing and teaching workshops across the United States. Jen has been teaching…

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  • Podcast,  The Waldorf Approach,  Waldorf School,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Fourth Grade and the Fourth Grader

    What happens after the nine year change? Guest Angela Lindstrom and I are discussing what the nine/ten year old is going through developmentally during the fourth grade year. We talk about the changes that the fourth grader is experiencing at this age, how the adults in their lives can be supporting guides in their lives, as well as how the Waldorf fourth grade curriculum works to engage the fourth grader where they're at developmentally. Subscribe to the Waldorfy PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify More about Angela Lindstrom... Angela grew up in a little house in the big woods of Ohio, playing beside the gently flowing waters of the Little Miami River. The…

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  • Podcast,  Waldorf Homeschooling,  Waldorf School,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Third Grade and the Third Grader

    In this episode experienced Waldorf teacher Kris Ritz and I discuss the Waldorf third grade year with a focus on the developing third grader. What is the nine/ten year old experiencing? How can we the adults in their lives be most supportive of their experience at this time of transition? These are the sorts of questions we dive into in this episode. Subscribe to the Waldorfy PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify Kris Ritz is a Waldorf teacher who joined the Emerson Waldorf School community in 2008. She is grateful for the creative students and community-building parents she has been with over the years and is with during this current grades school journey.…

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  • Podcast,  The Waldorf Approach,  Waldorf Homeschooling,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Second Grade and the Second Grader

    In this episode I’m speaking with experienced Waldorf teacher Michael Gannon all about “Second Grade and the Second Grader”. Subscribe to the Waldorfy Podcast Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify Michael has been working at the Spring Garden Waldorf School, near Akron, Ohio, for the past 17 years. Though he didn’t know anything about Waldorf education or anthroposophy when he first interviewed for his position, the deep consciousness about why things were done quickly drew him in. The thoughtful study of the development of the human being, and a living interest in helping students to grow toward freedom, has been a welcome source of challenge to Michael every day. Michael has been grateful…

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  • Podcast,  The Waldorf Approach,  Waldorf Homeschooling,  Waldorf School,  Waldorfy Podcast,  What is Waldorf Education

    First Grade and the First Grader

    How do you know a child is ready for first grade at a Waldorf school? What happens on the first day of first grade in a Waldorf school? What does a Waldorf student learn in first grade? These are all things we dive into in this episode featuring my guest, experienced Waldorf teacher, Lori Kran. Subscribe to the Waldorf PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify Lori Kran, PhD, US History, Waldorf certification from WTDA, Ann Arbor, MI. Lori has been a class teacher at the Cincinnati Waldorf School since 1995, she has taken two cycles through the grades, and is currently teaching in her third cycle. Additionally, Lori teaches US History and Civics…

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  • Podcast,  The Waldorf Approach,  Waldorf School,  Waldorfy Podcast,  What is Waldorf Education

    Season 5 Trailer Introducing “Waldorf Through the Grades”

    In this special trailer episode I'm introducing the theme for the fifth season of the show: "Waldorf Through the Grades". Throughout this season I'll be hosting seasoned Waldorf teachers to talk with me about each grade on it's own starting with grade one continuing through grade eight. We'll be discussing the different developmental stages of the child as they pass through each grade and dive deeper into the curriculum and how it works to meet the needs of the developing child. Also in this trailer I brought my husband, Tobin, back on the show. We talk about his Waldorf experience, and how it often was quite different than mine, as…

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  • Inclusion for the Black Community in Waldorf Education,  Podcast,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Inclusion and Belonging in Waldorf Education with Ashley May

    I could not be more excited to host the incredible Ashley May as my guest for the finale episode of season four. It has been a really eye opening season of episodes for many, each episode featured an individual with their own unique experience as a Black individual within a Waldorf community. In this episode however Ashley and I discuss the topic of this season, "Inclusion and Belonging", in a more broad way, utilizing her expertise as a WECAN member familiar with Waldorf, an educational researcher and ethnographer. We discuss what Ashley appreciates about the Waldorf approach, how it serves children, and also where it needs to improve to become…

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  • Alumni Perspectives,  Inclusion for the Black Community in Waldorf Education,  Podcast,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Emely’s Waldorf Experience

    Emely, a Black Waldorf alumna, speaks with me in this episode all about her experience attending a Waldorf school. Emely, currently a student at George Washington University, is articulate in speaking about what she liked about her years attending a Waldorf school, and in sharing the struggles she faced. I can not thank Emely enough for speaking with me in this interview. As she will share in this episode, some of Emely’s experiences as a Black Waldorf student are intense and even traumatic. As I said in the pervious episode, I’m not looking to point fingers or call out individuals and communities. “Inclusion and Belonging for the Black community in…

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  • Inclusion for the Black Community in Waldorf Education,  Podcast,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Genevieve Dagobert ~ On Race, Waldorf Education, Anthroposophy, and Steiner

    Subscribe to the Waldorfy PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify I say it in the episode, but I really can not express enough gratitude for my lovely guest Genevieve Dagobert. Genevieve is right here in New Hampshire, where I currently am, but we've only just connected this year. She is so brilliant, passionate, and courageous, I really just can't say enough about her. Geneviève is a life-long educator with over thirty years of teaching experience, both in Haiti and the US, ranging from early childhood through elementary grades, to educating adults in a college setting. In 1983, Genevieve opened an Early Childhood center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She migrated to the US in 1992…

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  • Podcast,  Waldorf School,  Waldorfy Podcast

    Inclusion and Belonging: The Trailer for Season Four

    Subscribe to the Waldorfy podcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify I am so excited to be sharing this trailer with you and to begin this season of episodes. About seven months ago, I began planning an episode about inclusion and belonging in Waldorf education. I have been asked many times since the Waldorfy podcast launched to cover the topic of Waldorf, inclusion, and equity. I also had this feeling right from the start that it was something I wanted to dive deeper into. As you may have heard me mention many times through Waldorfy podcast episodes, I had a very positive experience attending a Waldorf school as a child. I had great teachers,…