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Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program

Be the teacher your students need most!

Click Here To Learn About Our Upcoming Meet and Greet

Special Sign-Up Grant of $1,200 available to the first 20 applicants accepted into the program.

LEARN MORE!

Earn a graduate-level certificate to teach in a Waldorf High School.

Since 1996, practicing and aspiring Waldorf high school teachers have turned to our Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program to deepen their understanding and mastery of this vocation and receive their teaching credentials. 

Over 230 high school teachers across North America and beyond have successfully completed our program, earning their Waldorf Teacher Credentials.

This certificate is recognized by ASWNA and Waldorf high schools across the globe. Participants focus on specialized subject areas, as well as techniques to help ready adolescents for life as mature adults. Our graduates teach in Waldorf schools across North America as well as in Central and South America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Our team of seasoned high school faculty draws upon the proven track record of Waldorf pedagogy and practices. At the same time, they adapt their courses each year to meet today’s changing societal environment and the needs of today’s teenagers.

As a part-time, graduate-level, low-residency program, WHiSTEP is held over three consecutive Julys. In addition to three summer intensives, trainees undertake two years of independent studies including a research project and internship in a Waldorf high school.

  • High school teachers wishing to enrich their Waldorf preparation
  • Professionals seeking a career change
  • Practicing educators
  • A University degree or equivalent diploma
  • Some experience working with adolescents preferred
  • Preparatory foundational studies in anthroposophy and the arts* (available by signing up for CfA’s “Explorations” program here)
  • Experience in education and adolescent development

*These foundational studies are prerequisite so that applicants come ready to engage in focused study pertaining specifically to the goals, challenges, and responsibilities of high school teachers

  • Fundamental ideas of the threefold social organism that underlie Waldorf education
  • Physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of the unfolding human being
  • Development of “living thinking” in yourself and in those you teach
  • Rudolf Steiner’s foundational work Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path: A Philosophy of Freedom and its practical applications to teaching in high school
  • A phenomenological approach to planning and carrying out your lessons
  • How to help each human being live more deeply into the world

Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll receive a Certificate in Waldorf High School Teacher Education recognized at any Waldorf school around the world. 

Since its founding, CfA (including its high school program) has been a full member of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA).

With more than 150 Waldorf schools in North America—38 with their own high school—the need for qualified Waldorf high school teachers has never been greater. You can view a list of Waldorf high schools here.

Enrollment Process

TUITION

Payment Plans

Tuition Assistance

Waldorf Fellowships

And when you’re ready…

APPLY HERE!
APPLY FOR 25-MONTH PROGRAM
REGISTER FOR SUMMER RESIDENCY

Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program

Meet & Greet 2024

Join David Barham, Director of the Center for Anthroposophy’s Waldorf High School Teacher Education program, to discover how this unique program deepens the understanding and mastery of high school teachers as they help prepare adolescents for life through their work in the curriculum, classroom and wider community.

Program enrolls now for summer 2025 (class of 2027)!

The virtual session will include a program overview and a Q&A to answer all your questions.

Zoom Session: Tuesday November 12, 2024

7:00-8:00 P.M. EDT

REGISTER NOW!
Why Choose Our Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program?
1: Experience a Taste of Transformation:
Unsure about committing to a three-year program?

Join our teacher education weekend in March, 2026 Details coming soon! Stay tuned.

2: Exclusive Discounts for Schools:
Advanced Tools

We’re excited to offer a 10% discount off first-year tuition for schools registering two or more faculty members.

Plus, schools in Canada will benefit from special pricing in Canadian dollars—making it even easier for your team to participate!

3: Pathway for Future Leaders:
Nonstop Updates

Student teachers who have completed a Waldorf early childhood or grades training at an AWSNA-approved institute can enter WHiSTEP as second-year students—opening the door for new talents to flourish in your school!

Portrait of David Barham

David Barham

WHiSTEP Program Director

Read WHiSTEP
Faculty Bios

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Contact David directly with questions about the program.
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Program Schedule for 2026 Cohort

A vibrant 25-month low-residency program starting in July 2026

Module 1: Summer I (July 2026)

Two weeks in-person at scenic Southern New Hampshire
(July 11 – 26)
with leading high school teachers in six specialized subjects:
  • English Language & Literature with Nathan Wilcox
  • Fine & Practical Arts with Michal Noer
  • History & Civics with Paul Gierlach
  • Life Science & Earth Science with Jake Gerber
  • Mathematics with Marisha Plotnik
  • Physics & Chemistry with Cedar Oliver
Plus artistic courses in:
  • Creative Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
  • Drama with Nathan Wilcox
  • Eurythmy with Laura Radefeld
  • Sculpture with Michal Noer
  • Singing with Meg O’Dell
  • Spatial Dynamics with Jan Lyndes
Studies in adolescent development with David Barham,
anthroposophical core texts with Paul Gierlach, Cedar Oliver, Marisha Plotnik

Module 2: Fall I and Spring I
(September 2026 – March 2027 )

Seminars on Contemporary Topics: Starlight Rays in Darkened Times I, 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET (Online)
Half-day specialized subject seminars in November, January, March (Online)
Individual mentoring sessions (Online)

Module 3: Summer II
(July 2027)

Two weeks in-person at scenic Southern New Hampshire (July 10- 25, 2027)

Module 4: Fall II and Spring II
(September 2027 – March 2028)

Seminars on Contemporary Topics: Starlight Rays in Darkened Times II, 3:00 – 5:00 pmET (Online)
Half-day specialized subject seminars in November, January, March (Online)
Individual monthly mentoring sessions (Online)
Practicum/internship (12-15 weeks)

Module 5: Summer III
(July 2028)

Three weeks in-person at scenic Southern New Hampshire (July 15-30, 2028 )

Includes one-week course in Waldorf Leadership Development (WLD) with Torin Finser & Carla Beebe Comey

Module 6: Research Project

In general, the research project should help the student form a more living relationship to the high school curriculum and the classroom. It should also allow one to undertake something new and original in one’s chosen field. In this respect the research project is more than just a report or a research paper.
Components

The research project includes these three components:

  • a period of study and personal action research.
  • a brief oral presentation during the third summer session.
  • a written paper, complete with an annotated bibliography of all sources used
RESIDENCY ROOM & BOARD INFORMATION

Training Waldorf High School Science and Math Teachers through the Arts

High school teachers specializing in science and math are especially helped by a training saturated in the arts––especially the performing arts—as this new video of CfA’s Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program (WHiSTEP)  so aptly illustrates.

What our students have said...

The training was rigorous and thorough and overall a great experience. The faculty were extremely knowledgeable, experienced, supportive and fun. The peer group was also wonderful. The whole experience was one I will treasure always. I am so grateful I got to do this training and feel blessed to have met so many amazing people as part of it. I definitely feel more competent and more grounded in the fundamentals for Waldorf education. I also have walked away with great friendships and mentors I hope to call on in the future. I would wholeheartedly recommend this program for anyone who would like to deepen their knowledge and experience of High School Waldorf Pedagogy.

I am so grateful I got to do this training and feel blessed to have met so many amazing people as part of it. Roxana Zirakzadeh, WHiSTEP Class of 2025

What an amazing intense experience of taking a deep dive into the "why" behind what we do in Waldorf schools within a supportive setting of striving colleagues, not to mention the inspiring landscape of the High Mowing campus and the care given to make sure our basic needs are met with delicious food and soul-nourishing activities.

What an amazing intense experience of taking a deep dive into the "why" behind what we do in Waldorf schools within a supportive setting of striving colleagues... Merideth Jackson, WHiSTEP Student

I found this program to be extremely effective in providing me an understanding of what it means to be a teacher at a Waldorf high school. I completed the program feeling much more informed and assured!

I found this program to be extremely effective in providing me an understanding of what it means to be a teacher at a Waldorf high school. Christopher Young, WHiSTEP Class of 2025

As a first year WHiSTEP student, I came away with so many new curriculum ideas, new perspectives on teaching techniques/strategies, and a meaningful deepening of philosophical principles. Being able to meet and interact with Waldorf teachers - both new and well-seasoned - was invaluable.

I came away with so many new curriculum ideas, new perspectives... Bill Ogonowski, First Year WHiSTEP Student

In this program students have the time and opportunity to DWELL ON THOUGHTS about their subject or Anthroposophy; where else are they surrounded by like-minded colleagues?

In this program students have the time and opportunity to DWELL ON THOUGHTS about their subject or Anthroposophy... Paul Gierlach, Instructor

I appreciated all of the variety. There was a nice balance of hands-on work and abstract thinking. Classes felt stimulating and exciting. There was a clear structure and flexibility based on student contributions. I learned a great deal. I can’t believe how much we covered.

I can’t believe how much we covered. (Physical Sciences)

As a member of the WHiSTEP faculty for the past 25 years, I can say with some longer-range perspective that the program has helped to cultivate an entire generation of teachers, many of whom now anchor Waldorf high schools across North America. Although these trainees have come to Wilton with varying degrees of teaching experience, they nearly always leave with the tools to strengthen their grasp of the philosophical and pedagogical underpinnings of Waldorf education. This past summer I was most impressed by the nearly seamless transition crafted by Douglas Gerwin, founder and long-time “Captain” of the program, and David Barham, current director. Both remain committed to building upon the foundational principles of Waldorf education while adapting the program to meet today’s urgent challenges.

The program has helped to cultivate an entire generation of teachers. David Sloan

The class felt like a pure learning experience. I learned a really incredible amount.

I learned a really incredible amount. (History)

I am aware that this journey has just begun, and I feel now like I have got a new pair of glasses to observe the outer world.

I feel now like I have got a new pair of glasses to observe the outer world. Marilia Trimboli, WHiSTEP Class of 2024

I feel my abilities to observe and to notice has been sharpened greatly and I now am noticing things I have seen thousands of times but that I had never really seen. Yesterday evening, I went outside, and my shadow was reflected onto a large maple tree out front. I found myself moving the shadow of my arms, tracing the shape of the tree from the top down into the roots. To see this expansion and contraction and the rhythm of the natural world brings such a sense of wholeness to the individual.

I feel my abilities to observe and to notice has been sharpened greatly. Jake Gerber,WHiSTEP Class of 2024

The teacher was really an admirable example of patience and good humor. She gently guided us to a confident performance, somewhat against the odds! Impressive!

[The teacher] gently guided us to a confident performance. (Eurythmy)

An example of a really engaging, charismatic personality who inspires interest in the material and has a great depth of knowledge and passion to draw from.

...personality who inspires interest in the material. (English)

The instructor was clearly prepared but also flexible to the spontaneity of the students. There was a good balance of hands-on and abstract learning, different materials and individual/partner/group work. There was a lot of depth but also a breadth uncovered through the depth.

There was a good balance of hands-on and abstract learning. (Math)

I appreciated the way the instructor was able to both keep us on track and let us derail and explore off the track when a question took us on an exploration. I also appreciated observing how he would, after a while, gently redirect us back onto the track.

[The instructor kept] us on track and let us derail and explore off the track when a question took us on an exploration (Human Development)

I appreciated the space we gave this year to talking about making new curriculum decisions and the questions we need to consider in doing this. I feel better prepared to make these decisions moving forward.

I appreciated the space... Heather Lomason, WHiSTEP Class of 2023

The instructor is a pro: practical and inspiring. He structures his classes in a way that requires students to bring their best. He brings great resources that teachers can use in their classrooms immediately.

[The instructor] brings great resources that teachers can use in their classrooms immediately (English)

The instructor wove a tapestry of thinking feeling willing that provided an experiential gateway to the philosophy of Anthroposophy. Cedar has an amazing ability to bend time.

...an experiential gateway to the philosophy of Anthroposophy (Living Thinking)

It was disorienting at times, but I feel I needed it to grow.

I needed it to grow. (Drama)

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.