Mentor Training
Pedagogical Mentoring, Coaching, and Professional Development Pathways
2026
Preparing seasoned educators to become mentors, coaches, and professional evaluators in support of new and developing teachers.
Wisdom into Practice:
Pedagogical Leadership for Waldorf Teachers
Become a Mentor, Coach, and Professional Appraiser for Waldorf Teachers
Bring the wisdom of your teaching experience into a new role of service. This certificate-earning, high level training program offers comprehensive preparation in pedagogical mentoring, coaching, and professional evaluation. Through a focus on best practices, fresh perspectives, and innovative approaches, the Mentor Training Program equips you to meet these essential responsibilities with confidence and insight. As a graduate of this program, you will be prepared to offer mentorship, professional development, guidance, and evaluative support to a wide network of schools seeking assistance for their new and developing Waldorf educators.
Program Overview
This low-residency, certificate-earning program is designed for experienced teachers who wish to deepen their skills in pedagogical mentoring, coaching, and appraisal. Over the course of ten months, participants will engage in a comprehensive training that strengthens personal capacities and prepares them to better support practicing teachers in Waldorf schools today.
The program combines virtual and in-person learning. Participants will meet once a month on Saturdays for sessions with program faculty, covering all realms of Waldorf education: early childhood, grades, high school, and special subjects.
The program begins on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and concludes on Saturday, November 14, 2026. It also includes a week-long in-person residency from Sunday, June 28 – Friday, July 3, 2026.
Who should attend
- Experienced Waldorf educators seeking to strengthen their skills in pedagogical inspiration, mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
- Teachers and leaders interested in cultivating the capacities needed to serve as internal mentors within their faculty and beyond.
- Seasoned Waldorf educators and pedagogical chairs ready to bring their knowledge and experience to a higher level in service of the future of Waldorf education.
Benefits for Schools
Build in-house mentoring and pedagogical leadership capacity within your community.
Strengthen shared agreements, responsibility, accountability, and support structures.
Deepen alignment with a growth culture of Waldorf pedagogy while inspiring teacher retention.
Foster a culture of collaboration, collegiality, and continuous learning among your faculty.
- Create shared practices around mentoring, coaching, evaluation, and adult-learning.
- Empower experienced faculty to support colleagues with clarity and warmth in a ripple effect.
Benefits for Individuals
- Cultivate your capacity and confidence to serve as a mentor, coach, evaluator, and a pedagogical leader
- Learn practical strategies for observation, feedback, communication, and conflict navigation
- Deepen inner development and personal renewal
- Experience meaningful artistic, reflective, and practical transformation elements
- Join an international community of committed Waldorf coaches and mentors in 2026
Independent Project
As part of the program, participants will:
- Actively engage in mentoring throughout the course.
- Keep a reflective journal documenting mentoring sessions, observations, dialogues, and lessons learned.
- Develop and submit a final project tailored to their individual circumstances and professional context, demonstrating integration of their learning into practice.
Just Imagine
As you complete this program:
- You meet colleagues with warmth, clarity, and skilled guidance- no matter the situation.
- You understand exactly what a teacher needs next and how to guide them.
- You serve as a steady, trusted voice contributing to a healthy, thriving school culture.
- Your school lives with a shared, thoughtful approach to mentoring and teacher support.
- Your own professional path unfolds into deeper service, pedagogical leadership, and meaning.
Program Overview
This low-residency, certificate-earning program is designed for experienced teachers who wish to develop the art of pedagogical mentoring, coaching, and appraisal in partnership with others. Over the course of ten months, participants will engage in a comprehensive training that strengthens personal capacities and prepares them to better serve practicing teachers in Waldorf schools today.
The program combines virtual and in-person learning. Participants will meet once a month on Saturdays in collaborative sessions with program faculty, covering all realms of Waldorf education: early childhood, grades, high school, and special subjects.
The program begins on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and concludes on Saturday, November 14, 2026. It also includes a week-long in-person residency from Sunday, June 28 – Friday, July 3, 2026.
Who should attend
- Experienced Waldorf educators seeking to strengthen their skills in pedagogical inspiration, mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
- Teachers and leaders interested in cultivating the capacities needed to serve as internal mentors within their faculty and beyond.
- Seasoned Waldorf educators and pedagogical chairs ready to bring their knowledge and experience to a higher level in service of the future of Waldorf education.
Benefits for Schools
Support your school’s growth by meeting teachers’ needs through effective pedagogical mentoring—an economical and sustainable way to provide in-house mentoring.
Save time and resources by sponsoring one or more seasoned teachers to complete this training, bringing best practices and professional mentoring skills back into your school community.
Strengthen faculty retention and morale by offering teachers ongoing professional support that helps them feel seen, guided, and valued.
Deepen alignment with Waldorf pedagogy by ensuring that faculty mentoring is grounded in anthroposophy and the shared values of Waldorf education.
Foster a culture of collaboration, collegiality, and continuous learning among your faculty.Ensure new and developing teachers are well-supported, increasing classroom success and reducing burnout.
Independent Project
As part of the program, participants will:
- Actively engage in mentoring throughout the course.
- Keep a reflective journal documenting mentoring sessions, observations, dialogues, and lessons learned.
- Develop and submit a final project tailored to their individual circumstances and professional context, demonstrating integration of their learning into practice.
Interested in joining us in 2026
Karen Atkinson
Director of Mentor Training
Contact Karen directly with questions about the program.
For Summer 2025 Participants
Faculty
Karen Atkinson, M.Ed.
Click the program flier below to download it
Course Curriculum
What you’ll explore
We’ll meet virtually once a month on Saturdays from 12:00-2:00 ET, 9:00-11:00 PT and for one week in-person during the summer, from June 28 – July 3, 2026
November 14, 2026 Online
Program Culmination: The program concludes with a focus on bringing your work into the world.
Participants will engage in a Workshop on the Karmic Impact of Serving as a Leader in Professional Development, followed by presentations of their Independent Projects. This shared culmination honors both the inner journey of preparation and the practical contributions each participant brings to the wider Waldorf community.
with Lori Kran and Karen Atkinson
Saturday, January 24, 2026 Online
Program Introduction and Workshop on The Seven Life Processes in Correlation to Professional Development
with Karen Atkinson
Saturday, February 28, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Breathing in Correlation to Professional Development
with Sven Saar
Saturday, March 21, 2026 Online
Professional Development Advisory and Group Work Session
with Karen Atkinson and Jason Child
Saturday, April 18, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Warmth and Connecting in Correlation to Professional Development
with Sven Saar
Saturday, May 16, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Nourishment and Soul Economy: Cultivating Sustainable Practices in Teaching
with Sarah Nelson
June 28 – July 3, 2026 In-Person
Presentations, Workshops, Artistic Engagement, and Working Groups on Circulating, Maintaining, and Growing in Correlation to Professional Development Practices
with Carol Bärtges and Karen Atkinson
September 19, 2026 Online
Professional Development Advisory and Group Work Session
with Karen Atkinson and Jason Child
October 17, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Producing: Translating Insights into a Professional Development Resource
with Program Faculty
November 14, 2026 Online
Program Culmination: The program concludes with a focus on bringing your work into the world.
Participants will engage in a Workshop on the Karmic Impact of Serving as a Leader in Professional Development, followed by presentations of their Independent Projects. This shared culmination honors both the inner journey of preparation and the practical contributions each participant brings to the wider Waldorf community.
with Lori Kran and Karen Atkinson
Program Introduction and Presentation on the Seven Life Processes in correlation to Professional Development with Karen Atkinson
with Karen Atkinson
Artistic Engagement, with Lyssa Beshears
Karen Atkinson, M.Ed.
Karen is a dedicated educator and leader in Waldorf Education, with over 30 years of experience as an early childhood educator, grade school class teacher, pedagogical leader, and adult educator. A graduate of Antioch University New England, Karen holds a Master’s in Education and Waldorf Teacher Education Certification in both early childhood and elementary education.
Karen’s commitment to Waldorf education extends beyond the classroom. She has served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA) and as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader and Representative for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN). Her work in these roles has focused on fostering collaboration, supporting educators, and promoting the growth of Waldorf education.
Passionate about inspiring and supporting educators and school leaders, Karen is the Program Director of the Mentor Training Program and Renewal Courses, as well as the Coordinator for the Waldorf Leadership Development Program. Through these programs, she provides pedagogical leadership and professional development opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of Waldorf educators and leaders.
Outside of her professional work, Karen is an avid naturalist, hiker, watercolor artist, and natural foods cook. She finds joy in exploring the outdoors and preparing wholesome, health-giving meals for family and friends.
Lyssa Beshears
Lyssa (she/her) brings a lifetime of experience as a student of Waldorf education. She attended the East Bay and San Francisco Waldorf schools. She holds a BA in Geology from Occidental College, an MS in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, and her Waldorf teaching credential from Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. She holds numerous certificates in Social Justice training through RISE Center for Social Justice at San Francisco University and SF-CESS. Lyssa has worked as a Waldorf early childhood and grades teacher, and in death care. She has three teenage children, the oldest of whom is off at college. Lyssa loves hiking, camping, gardening and crafting. She lives in Oakland, CA on unceded Ohlone Huichin land with her family and their three cats.
Presentation and Workshop on Breathing in Correlation to Professional Development with Sven Saar
with Sven Saar
Artistic Engagement, with Lyssa Beshears
Sven Saar
Sven gained his Waldorf Teaching diploma as a very young man. After moving to England, he worked as a class teacher for 30 years, eight of those in Germany. He also taught in the High School, specializing in history and drama. Now he works full time in Teacher Education and is on the faculty of several courses and universities in the UK, Germany, Australia and the US. Sven gives lectures and seminars internationally and works as an active mentor and advisor to schools and teachers in many countries. He is a co-founder of The Modern Teacher: Education as Art (UK) and co-ordinates the Waldorf 360 platform for High School teachers.
Lyssa Beshears
Lyssa (she/her) brings a lifetime of experience as a student of Waldorf education. She attended the East Bay and San Francisco Waldorf schools. She holds a BA in Geology from Occidental College, an MS in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, and her Waldorf teaching credential from Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. She holds numerous certificates in Social Justice training through RISE Center for Social Justice at San Francisco University and SF-CESS. Lyssa has worked as a Waldorf early childhood and grades teacher, and in death care. She has three teenage children, the oldest of whom is off at college. Lyssa loves hiking, camping, gardening and crafting. She lives in Oakland, CA on unceded Ohlone Huichin land with her family and their three cats.
Professional Development Advisory and Group Work Session with Karen Atkinson and Jason Child
with Karen Atkinson and Jason Child
Artistic Engagement, with Lyssa Beshears
Karen Atkinson, M.Ed.
Karen is a dedicated educator and leader in Waldorf Education, with over 30 years of experience as an early childhood educator, grade school class teacher, pedagogical leader, and adult educator. A graduate of Antioch University New England, Karen holds a Master’s in Education and Waldorf Teacher Education Certification in both early childhood and elementary education.
Karen’s commitment to Waldorf education extends beyond the classroom. She has served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA) and as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader and Representative for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN). Her work in these roles has focused on fostering collaboration, supporting educators, and promoting the growth of Waldorf education.
Passionate about inspiring and supporting educators and school leaders, Karen is the Program Director of the Mentor Training Program and Renewal Courses, as well as the Coordinator for the Waldorf Leadership Development Program. Through these programs, she provides pedagogical leadership and professional development opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of Waldorf educators and leaders.
Outside of her professional work, Karen is an avid naturalist, hiker, watercolor artist, and natural foods cook. She finds joy in exploring the outdoors and preparing wholesome, health-giving meals for family and friends.
Jason Child
Jason Child completed his Master’s in music education in 1994, which is about the time he began his serious study of anthroposophy. He has been teaching ever since in schools, both public and private. Anthroposophy has always informed his approach, and he began as music director at the Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill, NC in 2005. Since then, he has taught 1st – 12th grade music, choruses, and bands, and served as both a high school and grade school main lesson/class teacher. He has also served as college and faculty chair and coordinator for multiple accreditations.
Jason served for ten years on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), and is now a mentor, evaluator, and consultant in Waldorf schools throughout North America. He began working in training institutes by starting with the AWSNA teacher training program in Cuernavaca, Mexico in 2017 and continues to present seminars for various institutes in the US and Mexico. Jason has presented numerous workshops and keynotes within and outside Waldorf circles. The father of four Waldorf students, he is an outdoor enthusiast hooked on travel and exploring obscure destinations, whether local day trips or internationally.
Lyssa Beshears
Lyssa (she/her) brings a lifetime of experience as a student of Waldorf education. She attended the East Bay and San Francisco Waldorf schools. She holds a BA in Geology from Occidental College, an MS in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, and her Waldorf teaching credential from Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. She holds numerous certificates in Social Justice training through RISE Center for Social Justice at San Francisco University and SF-CESS. Lyssa has worked as a Waldorf early childhood and grades teacher, and in death care. She has three teenage children, the oldest of whom is off at college. Lyssa loves hiking, camping, gardening and crafting. She lives in Oakland, CA on unceded Ohlone Huichin land with her family and their three cats.
with Sven Saar
Artistic Engagement, with Chenoa Pelligra
Sven Saar
Sven gained his Waldorf Teaching diploma as a very young man. After moving to England, he worked as a class teacher for 30 years, eight of those in Germany. He also taught in the High School, specializing in history and drama. Now he works full time in Teacher Education and is on the faculty of several courses and universities in the UK, Germany, Australia and the US. Sven gives lectures and seminars internationally and works as an active mentor and advisor to schools and teachers in many countries. He is a co-founder of The Modern Teacher: Education as Art (UK) and co-ordinates the Waldorf 360 platform for High School teachers.
Chenoa Pelligra
Chenoa Pelliga is a Waldorf alumni as well as a certified Handwork teacher with 18 years of teaching both in the USA and in Mexico. Chenoa fell in love with fiber crafts while attending Waldorf school and her upbringing on a biodynamic farm allowed her to raise sheep and really dive deep into all things handwork. She currently splits her time between New Hampshire and Playa del Carmen Mexico where she has spent 11 years at Ak Lu’um Waldorf Community. Chenoa also shares her love for handwork online and offers interactive classes for adults and children worldwide. Chenoa is faculty for teacher training institutes such as YaxKin Formacion Waldorf, Lifeways, and the Threefold Educational Center. Chenoa completed the Mentoring in Partnership program and is looking forward to sharing some practical, meditative, and heartwarming ways to connect with your mentee not just through the thinking realm but also through feeling and willing.
with Sarah Nelson
Artistic Engagement, with Chenoa Pelligra
Sarah Nelson
Sarah Nelson graduated from Antioch New England Graduate School more than twenty years ago. Since then she has taught at Haleakala Waldorf School in Maui, Hawaii, where she worked with students from pre-K to Grade 8. In addition to class teaching, she served as Leader for the Southern California and Hawaii region on AWSNA’s Leadership Council for several years. In 2021, after completing an eight-year journey with her class in Maui, she returned to British Columbia and currently serves as a visiting teacher and mentor.
Chenoa Pelligra
Chenoa Pelliga is a Waldorf alumni as well as a certified Handwork teacher with 18 years of teaching both in the USA and in Mexico. Chenoa fell in love with fiber crafts while attending Waldorf school and her upbringing on a biodynamic farm allowed her to raise sheep and really dive deep into all things handwork. She currently splits her time between New Hampshire and Playa del Carmen Mexico where she has spent 11 years at Ak Lu’um Waldorf Community. Chenoa also shares her love for handwork online and offers interactive classes for adults and children worldwide. Chenoa is faculty for teacher training institutes such as YaxKin Formacion Waldorf, Lifeways, and the Threefold Educational Center. Chenoa completed the Mentoring in Partnership program and is looking forward to sharing some practical, meditative, and heartwarming ways to connect with your mentee not just through the thinking realm but also through feeling and willing.
with Eric Müller, Martina Müller, and Karen Atkinson
Eric Müller
Eric G. Müller is the director of Teacher Education at the Alkion Center, and a humanities teacher at the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf High School in Harlemville, NY. Born in South Africa, he graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, before continuing his studies in England and Germany, specializing in drama and music education. He took a class through the 8-year cycle in Eugene, Oregon, after which he moved to the East Coast with his family. He has published numerous books, including novels, children’s books, and books on Waldorf education.
Martina Müller
Martina A. Müller is Co-Administrator and Core Faculty Teacher at the Alkion Center for Waldorf Teacher Education at Hawthorne Valley Association as well as art teacher at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School in Ghent, NY. Where she has worked for over two decades. She is a graduate of the Rudolf Steiner Schule Bochum, Germany. She studied art and English at Ruhr University Bochum and Emerson College in England, and holds a four-year full-time Waldorf Teaching Diploma from the Institute of Waldorf Pedagogy in Witten-Annen, Germany with a specialization in high school art teaching and art history, as well as a BA from Empire State University. She was on the founding faculty of Waldorf Teacher Education Eugene, OR and taught there for several years before moving to the Hudson Valley. She is an active visual artist exhibiting at numerous venues in the Northeast and the recipient of prizes and awards. She is an internationally published children’s book illustrator and author. To view her work and full resume please visit her website.
Karen Atkinson, M.Ed.
Karen is a dedicated educator and leader in Waldorf Education, with over 30 years of experience as an early childhood educator, grade school class teacher, pedagogical leader, and adult educator. A graduate of Antioch University New England, Karen holds a Master’s in Education and Waldorf Teacher Education Certification in both early childhood and elementary education.
Karen’s commitment to Waldorf education extends beyond the classroom. She has served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA) and as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader and Representative for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN). Her work in these roles has focused on fostering collaboration, supporting educators, and promoting the growth of Waldorf education.
Passionate about inspiring and supporting educators and school leaders, Karen is the Program Director of the Mentor Training Program and Renewal Courses, as well as the Coordinator for the Waldorf Leadership Development Program. Through these programs, she provides pedagogical leadership and professional development opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of Waldorf educators and leaders.
Outside of her professional work, Karen is an avid naturalist, hiker, watercolor artist, and natural foods cook. She finds joy in exploring the outdoors and preparing wholesome, health-giving meals for family and friends.
with Karen Atkinson and Jason Child
Artistic Engagement, with Chenoa Pelligra
Karen Atkinson, M.Ed.
Karen is a dedicated educator and leader in Waldorf Education, with over 30 years of experience as an early childhood educator, grade school class teacher, pedagogical leader, and adult educator. A graduate of Antioch University New England, Karen holds a Master’s in Education and Waldorf Teacher Education Certification in both early childhood and elementary education.
Karen’s commitment to Waldorf education extends beyond the classroom. She has served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA) and as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader and Representative for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN). Her work in these roles has focused on fostering collaboration, supporting educators, and promoting the growth of Waldorf education.
Passionate about inspiring and supporting educators and school leaders, Karen is the Program Director of the Mentor Training Program and Renewal Courses, as well as the Coordinator for the Waldorf Leadership Development Program. Through these programs, she provides pedagogical leadership and professional development opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of Waldorf educators and leaders.
Outside of her professional work, Karen is an avid naturalist, hiker, watercolor artist, and natural foods cook. She finds joy in exploring the outdoors and preparing wholesome, health-giving meals for family and friends.
Jason Child
Jason Child completed his Master’s in music education in 1994, which is about the time he began his serious study of anthroposophy. He has been teaching ever since in schools, both public and private. Anthroposophy has always informed his approach, and he began as music director at the Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill, NC in 2005. Since then, he has taught 1st – 12th grade music, choruses, and bands, and served as both a high school and grade school main lesson/class teacher. He has also served as college and faculty chair and coordinator for multiple accreditations.
Jason served for ten years on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), and is now a mentor, evaluator, and consultant in Waldorf schools throughout North America. He began working in training institutes by starting with the AWSNA teacher training program in Cuernavaca, Mexico in 2017 and continues to present seminars for various institutes in the US and Mexico. Jason has presented numerous workshops and keynotes within and outside Waldorf circles. The father of four Waldorf students, he is an outdoor enthusiast hooked on travel and exploring obscure destinations, whether local day trips or internationally.
Chenoa Pelligra
Chenoa Pelliga is a Waldorf alumni as well as a certified Handwork teacher with 18 years of teaching both in the USA and in Mexico. Chenoa fell in love with fiber crafts while attending Waldorf school and her upbringing on a biodynamic farm allowed her to raise sheep and really dive deep into all things handwork. She currently splits her time between New Hampshire and Playa del Carmen Mexico where she has spent 11 years at Ak Lu’um Waldorf Community. Chenoa also shares her love for handwork online and offers interactive classes for adults and children worldwide. Chenoa is faculty for teacher training institutes such as YaxKin Formacion Waldorf, Lifeways, and the Threefold Educational Center. Chenoa completed the Mentoring in Partnership program and is looking forward to sharing some practical, meditative, and heartwarming ways to connect with your mentee not just through the thinking realm but also through feeling and willing.
with Carol Bärtges
Artistic Engagement, with Lyssa Beshears
Carol Bärtges
Carol Bärtges has had a long relationship with Waldorf education; a graduate of the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City, she returned as a young teacher after university. Carol’s two children, Max and Sarah, graduated from the Steiner School as well. For most of her career, Carol has served as a high school literature and drama teacher, with a joyful stint as a class teacher in between. She has, at various concurrent times, played additional roles, such as high school admissions director, college guidance director, upper school chair, etc. For ten years, Carol was a member of the AWSNA Leadership Council, serving as Leader for the Mid-Atlantic region.
Carol has long been devoted to higher education – she attended Williams College and after college received graduate degrees in Comparative Literature from NYU and CUNY’s Graduate Center. Academic honors include fellowships from the English-Speaking Union at Oxford University, St. Andrews University for Humanities, and more recently a DAAD Dissertation Research Grant for summer study. Carol is the co-editor of the 75th Anniversary edition of Education as an Art as well as numerous articles on education. Workshops include, “The Semiotics of High School” and “Authentic Assessment and Accountability in Waldorf Education.”
Currently, Carol is a full-time member of the upper school Humanities department as well as the chair of her school’s faculty development committee and co-chair of the College of Teachers. Her partner of twenty years, Dan Marsch, is an upper school math and philosophy teacher at the school. In her free time, Carol is an avid gardener, hiker, and skier and spends lots of time with her four grandchildren, who live nearby.
Lyssa Beshears
Lyssa (she/her) brings a lifetime of experience as a student of Waldorf education. She attended the East Bay and San Francisco Waldorf schools. She holds a BA in Geology from Occidental College, an MS in Geological Sciences from Ohio University, and her Waldorf teaching credential from Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. She holds numerous certificates in Social Justice training through RISE Center for Social Justice at San Francisco University and SF-CESS. Lyssa has worked as a Waldorf early childhood and grades teacher, and in death care. She has three teenage children, the oldest of whom is off at college. Lyssa loves hiking, camping, gardening and crafting. She lives in Oakland, CA on unceded Ohlone Huichin land with her family and their three cats.
with Karen Atkinson
Participants will engage in a Workshop on the Karmic Impact of Serving as a Leader in Professional Development, followed by presentations of their Independent Projects. This shared culmination honors both the inner journey of preparation and the practical contributions each participant brings to the wider Waldorf community.
Karen Atkinson, M.Ed.
Karen is a dedicated educator and leader in Waldorf Education, with over 30 years of experience as an early childhood educator, grade school class teacher, pedagogical leader, and adult educator. A graduate of Antioch University New England, Karen holds a Master’s in Education and Waldorf Teacher Education Certification in both early childhood and elementary education.
Karen’s commitment to Waldorf education extends beyond the classroom. She has served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America (AWSNA) and as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader and Representative for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN). Her work in these roles has focused on fostering collaboration, supporting educators, and promoting the growth of Waldorf education.
Passionate about inspiring and supporting educators and school leaders, Karen is the Program Director of the Mentor Training Program and Renewal Courses, as well as the Coordinator for the Waldorf Leadership Development Program. Through these programs, she provides pedagogical leadership and professional development opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of Waldorf educators and leaders.
Outside of her professional work, Karen is an avid naturalist, hiker, watercolor artist, and natural foods cook. She finds joy in exploring the outdoors and preparing wholesome, health-giving meals for family and friends.
Course Curriculum
What you’ll explore
We’ll meet virtually once a month on Saturdays from 12:00-2:00 ET, 9:00-11:00 PT and for one week in-person during the summer, from June 28 – July 3, 2026
November 14, 2026 Online
Program Culmination: The program concludes with a focus on bringing your work into the world.
Participants will engage in a Workshop on the Karmic Impact of Serving as a Leader in Professional Development, followed by presentations of their Independent Projects. This shared culmination honors both the inner journey of preparation and the practical contributions each participant brings to the wider Waldorf community.
with Lori Kran and Karen Atkinson
Independent Project
Participants in the program will actively engage in mentoring, as well as keep a journal noting meeting sessions, observations, dialog, and lessons learned, using AWSNA’s Field Guide to Mentoring.
Care for the Body and Soul
Attending a summer course in person offers more than just professional inspiration and community connections—it’s an opportunity for deep personal rejuvenation. Take time to relax and nurture your well-being by indulging in some much-needed self-care.
Choose from a variety of wellness offerings designed to nourish your soul and body. Whether you seek quiet reflection, hands-on healing, or artistic renewal, these options are crafted to support your journey of self-care and rejuvenation.
Wellness sign-up options will be available in the spring—stay tuned to secure your moments of personal renewal!
- Holistic Custom Facial with Kira Atkinson
- Healing Massage with Lilliana Rivera
- Sound Healing with Narsingh Khalsa
- Forest Bathing Explorations with Will Minehart
- Guided Bird Walk with Will Minehart
- Artistic Engagement for the Soul with Chenoa Pelligra
Tuition
Tuition for the 10-month program is $2,600. This fee includes all online sessions, workshops, and the week-long in-person intensive. (Travel and lodging for the in-person residency are not included.)
Note: Canadian citizens may claim their currency exchange rate adjustment discount at registration checkout.
Prerequisites
- Participants must meet the following requirements to register for this training:
Hold a Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate from an AWSNA member institute or the equivalent. - Have a minimum of five full-time years of teaching experience in an independent or public Waldorf school.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from their current school leadership.
For participants who are not currently teaching, please submit two letters of recommendation from schools where you have previously taught and/or mentored.
Enrollment
Given the high demand for this specialized professional development course and its interactive nature, enrollment places will be limited. Register now to secure your spot!
Other Notes
- Financial Aid – Limited scholarships available, please contact the program director using the contact form.
- Cancellations – Requests received at least 30 days before the registration deadline will result in a full refund, less $75 cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted if cancellation is received within 30 days of the program start date or while in session.
Tuition
Tuition for the 10-month program is $2,600. This fee includes all online sessions, workshops, and the week-long in-person intensive. (Travel and lodging for the in-person residency are not included.)
Note: Canadian citizens may claim their currency exchange rate adjustment discount at registration checkout.
Prerequisites
- Participants must meet the following requirements to register for this training:
Hold a Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate from an AWSNA member institute or the equivalent. - Have a minimum of five full-time years of teaching experience in an independent or public Waldorf school.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from their current school leadership.
For participants who are not currently teaching, please submit two letters of recommendation from schools where you have previously taught and/or mentored.
Enrollment
Given the high demand for this specialized professional development course and its interactive nature, enrollment places will be limited. Register now to secure your spot!
Other Notes
- Financial Aid – Limited scholarships available, please contact the program director using the contact form.
- Cancellations – Requests received at least 30 days before the registration deadline will result in a full refund, less $75 cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted if cancellation is received within 30 days of the program start date or while in session.
Mentor Training graduates, summer 2024
