Faculty

Charles paints in the colorist style that he evolved from his initial training in England at Tobias School of Art & Therapy. His paintings can be found in private collections in North America, Europe, and New Zealand. Charles owns and operates Lazure Custom Wall Designs, a mural and decorative painting business specializing in Lazure, a unique European glazing finish that creates healing inner environments. Charles teaches fine art classes and offers Lazure and painting workshops worldwide.

Orland Bishop is the founder and director of ShadeTree Multicultural Foundation in Los Angeles, where he has pioneered approaches to urban truces and mentoring at-risk youth that combine new ideas with traditional ways of knowledge. ShadeTree serves as an intentional community of mentors, elders, teachers, artists, healers and advocates for the healthy development of children and youth. Orland’s work in healing and human development is framed by an extensive study of medicine, naturopathy, psychology and indigenous cosmologies, primarily those of South and West Africa. 

Over the course of the last 30 years, Carsten has lived and worked with children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities in Camphill communities in Scotland, England, and the United States. In true Camphill style, he has tried his hand at almost everything. He has carried responsibilities as a houseparent, workshop leader, teacher, administrator, counselor and therapist. Carsten holds a Bachelor of Arts in the Art of Eurythmy and holds a diploma in Eurythmy Therapy.

He currently lives at Camphill Special School where his overall responsibility and focus over the past ten years has become more directed towards the medical and therapeutic field. He serves the community as Director of Medical and Therapeutic Services, is a licensed EMT and are currently pursuing a nursing degree.

Carsten is a faculty member in the Camphill Academy (Curative Education) and adjunct faculty member of Transdisciplinary Healing Education Program, Antioch University. A motto he lives by is that in life we find a true path of learning and he continues to be a therapist at heart, where the listening ear is at the core.

Sara Ciborski, Ph.D. has been a member of the Anthroposophical Society since 1984 and a First Class member since 1994. She has a B.A. in English from Smith College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from the University at Albany. She has served for many years on the Focus Group for the meditation workshops of Georg Kühlewind’s Logos Working Group (formerly Therapists’ Group). She has worked in development, writing grants for Camphill, AWSNA, and most recently for the Lakota Waldorf School on the Pine Ridge Lakota Indian Reservation. She is a Waldorf parent and grandparent and co-author of the research monograph Assessment for Learning in Waldorf Classrooms: How Waldorf Teachers Measure Student Progress Toward Lifelong Learning Goals. She lives in New Hampshire, at MorningSun, a Buddhist mindfulness education center founded by her son.

Laurie Clark has had the privilege of being a Waldorf early educator since 1978.  She incorporates her therapeutic training into all aspects of the classroom.  The deep question of how to meet the child of today and exploring their needs in practical applications lies at the heart of her work. 

Laurie has been studying and collecting the drawings of children for the last four decades and is in continual research through observation and constant engagement with the young child.

Laurie mentors teachers, is a teacher trainer and is a frequent conference presenter. She has co-authored two books with Nancy Blanning on therapeutic movement for young children.

Tom Clark has been teaching as a grade school teacher at Denver Waldorf School since 1985 and has taken three classes through the grades. Since 2010 he has been teaching art and science in the high school as well as science classes in the middle school. Tom brings experiential learning to the students through hands-on projects and in activities bridging the worlds of art and science. He is a Waldorf teacher trainer and mentor.

Sylvia has worked in a psychiatric clinic in Germany and with special education. Presently, she is an an art therapist at the Parzival-School (Bernd Ruf, Karlsruhe), where she focuses on the will strengthening healing aspects of of Clay therapy. She works with children in the Kindergarten, and in the elementary grades , but also with adolescents and adults with development disabilities. Sylvia specializes in Trauma, Autism, Depression, and Curative Education.

She has joined Bernd Ruf on several crisis interventions: In 2024, she was part of an Emergency Pedagogy without Borders Team in Ethiopia and very recently, Sylvia worked with refugees from Gaza, on the streets in Egypt.

Sylvia completed her Art therapy studies in Dornach, Switzerland, and holds a Diploma from the Medical Section at the Goetheanum.
Kairos Institute has benefitted from Sylvia Borau’s instruction in 2023, and is looking forward to her return to our student spring Residency 2025.

Working with Clay Therapy: Clay work increases our own healing forces, it strengthens our willpower and self-consciousness.

To work with clay with our hands – on the clay, without having any tools in-between – gives us access directly to ourselves. Our awareness unfolds easily and we can understand our own creative powers but also experience our limitations.

Dr. James A. Dyson first trained as a medical doctor in London University and went on to study anthroposophic medicine at Emerson College, Camphill Schools, Aberdeen and in hospitals in Germany. In 1979, he co-founded Park Attwood Clinic, a residential medical facility in the UK, where he practiced for 25 years. He also worked as a school doctor, both in mainstream Waldorf Schools and schools and communities for adults and children with special needs. In 2008, he completed a five-year program in Applied Psychosynthesis at the Institute of Psychosynthesis, London, for which he was later awarded a Masters’ degree in Psychosynthesis Psychology from Middlesex University.

James has lectured over several decades in a very wide range of international anthroposophic medical and therapeutic trainings and is a regular contributor at conferences of the Medical Section of the School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum, Switzerland. As a founding Faculty Member of the “Association for Anthroposophic Psychology” in the USA in 2014, he is a regular contributor to their foundation programs. This Association (AAP) currently offers three-year certificate programs in anthroposophic psychology as well as a professional certification program in anthroposophic psychotherapy. Beyond teaching commitments, James’s current practice embraces clinical mentoring and independent consulting. His aspirations lie in connecting esoteric experience with cognitive understanding, especially in relation to psychosomatic medicine, mental health and in the context of human relationship. Published in 2022 by Steiner Books, USA, Soul Size, The Eternal Psychosomatic Dilemma, contains a range of James’s lectures, essays and interviews, in which he explores the realm of soul in relationship to body and spirit.

Maria is presently the therapeutic eurythmist for the School of Eurythmy, Spring Valley, NY. She taught eurythmy for forty years in Waldorf schools, a charter school, and a home-school program. Maria met anthroposophy in Maseru, Lesotho, when she was a class teacher in an English-medium preparatory school. Currently she is the editor of the newsletters for the Eurythmy Association of North America and the Association of Therapeutic Eurythmy in North America.

Jennifer is a lifelong seeker, elder, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of three. She was born into a family of doctors and funeral directors and has carried her passion for the mysteries of living and dying through her life journey by learning, studying and practicing many streams of health, wellness and hospice care and holds certification in variety of healing modalities. She has a B.S. in Communication Science and an M.A. in Audiology and Education of the Hearing Impaired from Northwestern University and worked in these fields both clinically and in research. Upon meeting the being of Anthroposophia forty years ago, Jennifer has devoted her life path to a deepening understanding of the “great mysteries of comings and goings” – diving into them anew through studying, practicing and teaching Biography and Social Art (BSA) and The Social Art of Natural Death Care locally and nationally for the past 30 years. She was a founding mother of City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis, serving as administrator, board chair and college member for several years. She also served in the pioneering work of several other Anthroposophic initiatives in MN. Along with Linda Bergh, she developed and taught the BSA courses for Foundation Studies through Novalis Institute in MN for a number of years. After moving to Tucson she has continued to teach in Foundation Studies programs locally in AZ, at Renewal and in the TSHE program through Antioch. Through the “Awakening Connections-Creating Community” Program of the Center for Biography and Social Art, she has brought BSA to Waldorf communities as a process for strengthening and developing community. As a part of her passion for understanding our earthly life path, she continues to also share and teach about the blessing and gifts of consciously and reverently accompanying those who are crossing the threshold. It is these beings who have been and remain her greatest teachers. Jennifer founded The Tucson Natural Death Care Circle several years ago and supports this growing movement locally and nationally.

Patricia Gans, MD, graduated from UC Davis with the highest honors and the department’s special honors for research in cell biology. She then graduated with honors from UC San Francisco School of Medicine and continued her residency in the Bay Area, where she trained in Anthroposophic medicine in Switzerland. During a sabbatical, Dr Gans completed Psychosynthesis Counseling Certification, including courses in guided imagery. She then co-created The Pleiades Center, an Anthroposophic Medical Clinic in Sebastopol, CA, which also offers therapeutic eurythmy, speech, music, and rhythmical massage.
Dr Gans worked full-time for one year as a Waldorf Preschool assistant and later as a kindergarten assistant giving her invaluable experience with the Waldorf approach to early childhood education and development. She completed the Waldorf Teacher Training Foundation year. She acted as an ASL interpreter for Deaf teachers in the Waldorf teacher training, Nurturing Arts training, and participating in the first Kolisko conference. She worked as a School Doctor for Summerfield Waldorf School and, more recently, Waldorf School of the Roaring Fork in Carbondale, CO. She taught Anthroposophic medicine courses for the Center for Renewal of Education teacher training and has given many lectures for various faculty, charter schools and parent education groups.
Dr Gans has a special interest in children with special needs, especially deafness. She is fluent in American Sign Language. She is a founder and board member of the Trillium Deaf Program and has been involved with many initiatives attempting to bring Waldorf pedagogical ideology to the Deaf community and access Waldorf education, pedagogy, and biodynamic farming for Deaf children.
Dr Gans also has the American Board of Integrated and Holistic Medicine (ABIHM) and Advanced Wilderness Expedition Provider (AWEP) Certifications. She enjoyed practicing Wilderness emergency medicine as needed while sailing remote islands of the South Pacific for ten years and as a remote Lighthouse Keeper in Alaska. She is now located high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and continues to offer anthroposophic medicine consultations.

Laura Geilen studied dance at the Boston Conservatory of Music, started a family and took a degree in Human Development from Leslie University. She completed the Curative Education and Social Therapy course while living in a Camphill community. She has training certificates in childbirth education, Spacial Dynamics, CircusYoga and clowning. She has taught movement education and circus arts in Waldorf schools and therapeutic movement in Camphill for 20 years. She runs a number of circus arts summer programs and leads clowning workshops in many settings as a member of the team of Nose to Nose of North America. In all her work she enjoys bringing people of all ages and abilities a renewed experience of their creativity, authenticity and aliveness through the transformative power of play.

Michaela Glöckler, M.D., a graduate of the original Waldorf school in Stuttgart, Germany,  studied history and German in Freiburg and Heidelberg and medicine in Tübingen and Marburg while engaging in her own study of anthroposophy.  After further training as a pediatrician and adolescent physician at the Community Hospital in Herdecke and the University Hospital in Bochum, she launched her career as pediatrician as well as school doctor in a Waldorf school. From 1988 to 2016 she served as Head of the Medical Section at the Goetheanum (Dornach/Switzerland). These years included deep involvement in lecturing activities and the training of physicians (IPMT) at home and abroad. She is co-founder of the Alliance for Childhood and the European Alliance of Initiatives for Applied Anthroposophy/ELIANT (www.eliant.eu). 

Publications in English: Guide to Child Health, The Dignity of the Young Child, Ethical Considerations in Medicine, Education – Health for Life, Education as Preventive Medicine, Medicine at the Threshold, and Healing Education.

Connie is a consultant to Waldorf schools in the eastern U.S., conducting workshops, observations, and classwide screenings. For several years she has been a co-director of the Educational Support Program offered by the Association for a Healing Education and she mentors Learning Support teachers. Connie holds a Waldorf teacher certification from Antioch University New England, a Waldorf Remedial certification from AHE, a Masters in Special Education from Lesley University and a B.A. in psychology from Connecticut College.

Connie formerly worked as the Educational Support teacher at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School in Shelburne,Vermont; before that she was a Resource teacher in public schools. In addition to her current work teaching and mentoring, she has a private practice doing Extra Lesson with children and adolescents in Vermont. Her three children attended Waldorf schools in Vermont from Kindergarten through eighth grade.

Sage Lewis is a digital marketing expert and social activist dedicated to enhancing accessibility and engagement through technology. As CEO of SageRock Inc. since 1999, Sage has led initiatives in SEO, social media, content creation, and digital advertising. He works with educational institutions like the Center for Anthroposophy and Waldorf schools, integrating digital strategies to connect communities and promote organizational missions. Sage’s passion for innovation and social justice drives his efforts to foster digital literacy, support small businesses, and empower communities through technology.

David Sewell McCann has been working with narrative his entire life. He’s been a fresco painter, a filmmaker, a class teacher, an author, he wrote and told all the stories for Sparkle Stories, and through it all, storytelling has proven to be the most enduring and clarifying form of connection. It works when nothing else can, and it is teachable.

Michaelann Murphy is a biodynamic farmer, Waldorf educator, and founder of Earth and Sky Farm Community. She holds a masters degree in Waldorf Education, and her teaching certification encompasses early childhood through high school. She is an experienced educator, having taught nursery, kindergarten, and grades children in a number of Waldorf and private schools. She is the prior director of several early childhood centers and farm based education programs. In addition to teaching, Michaelann has served in Waldorf schools as pedagogical chair, a member of governance groups, and as an early education mentor. Michaelann has long held educational circles and studies for the benefit of adults in community, through movement, parent education, therapeutic agricultural activities, and teacher enrichment. As a trained and experienced biodynamic farmer, she is passionate about creating and guiding programs for the healing of the earth and the therapeutic effects of agriculture and nature in both children’s and adult’s lives.

David Newbatt, artist and teacher, works mainly in watercolors and pastels on paper, as well as multi-media board and murals. He has spent over forty years living in Camphill Communities throughout the UK, specializing in the education of people with special needs through the use of visual arts and drama. David has travelled widely, teaching in Waldorf schools and Camphill communities. In addition to exhibiting his art work throughout the UK and Europe, he has illustrated a number of books published by Wynstones Press. For more information and to see David’s work please click  here.

Geoff Norris trained in English and German Creative Speech graduating in 1978. He has toured with many groups worldwide as storyteller, speaker, actor and workshop leader, and was co-founder of The Rose Theatre Company, Portal Productions and Ashdown Eurythmy in the 1980 and 90’s. He has taught speech in many varied anthroposophical trainings and initiatives and was resident Speech and Drama consultant at Michael Hall School, Forest Row for more than 18 years mentoring teachers and children alike. He currently teaches, directs, acts and gives workshops, live and on Zoom, in the UK and abroad, including training students to achieve a Goetheanum recognized Steiner Creative Speech Diploma.

Dr. Lakshmi Prasanna trained as a pediatrician with neonatology as her specialty. She started her career with newborn babies in intensive care and had a successful private neonatal intensive unit for more than 15 years. During this period, she discovered Anthroposophy through Waldorf education and later became the co-founder and president of the Anthroposophical Medical Society in India. She developed an interest in helping children with autism from a metabolic and sensory perspective based on Rudolf Steiner’s indications and runs a curative center for special needs children in Hyderabad, South India. She was one of the pioneer parents and founder member for the Abhaya Waldorf School in Hyderabad. Lakshmi has worked for many years as a school physician as well as traveling the length and breadth of India regularly teaching and inspiring new centers, clinics and schools working out of Anthroposophy. Since 2007 she has worked extensively in Australia as a lecturer and health educator, particularly within school communities. Well regarded across multiple geographies for her integrated approach, her presentations are engaging and heart-warming.

Presenter, Founder of Parzival School & Emergency Pedagogy

Author of Educating Traumatized Children, Bernd Ruf is the founder of the worldwide Emergency Pedagogy crisis intervention center, based in Karlsruhe, Germany. Skilled teams are sent out to help traumatized children in places of the strife of war, or ecological disasters.

Peter Selg studied medicine in Witten-Herdecke, Zurich, and Berlin and, until 2000, worked as the head physician of the juvenile psychiatry department of Herdecke Hospital in Germany.
Dr. Selg is director of the Ita Wegman Institute for Basic Research into Anthroposophy (Arlesheim, Switzerland), professor of medicine at the Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences (Germany), and co-leader of the General Anthroposophical Section at the Goetheanum. He is the author of numerous books on Rudolf Steiner, anthroposophy, medical ethics, and the development of culture and consciousness.

Tonya Stoddard, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work and completed the Anthroposophic Psychology program. Tonya has over 20 years of experience working in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County. She has worked psychotherapeutically with diverse populations and issues, including children and adolescents in both nonprofit and private practice settings. Currently, Tonya works as an Education Support Specialist at The Waldorf School of Tampa Bay in Tampa, FL. Tonya continues to work in private practice and collaboratively with the healing arts community. She is an adjunct faculty member of the Healing through Art program in California, a faculty member of the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology, and serving on the Leadership Team of the Anthroposophic Health Association.

Patrick has taught and mentored in numerous Waldorf schools and adult education centers across North America since 1981. As a long time faculty member at Hawthorne Valley School in New York, he has taught in grades 5 through 12, primarily in the sculptural arts and the History of Art and Architecture. He has filled various school leadership positions, including high school faculty chair. Since 2004 Patrick has been a co-director and instructor at the Alkion Center for Waldorf Teacher Education at Hawthorne Valley. As a freelance sculptor and graphic artist, his artwork has been commissioned and/or shown in NY, MA, CA, England, and Sweden.

CfA teaching: Waldorf high school teacher education (sculpture, high school arts and art history seminars, mentoring).

Monica Talaya completed the Dorion School of Anthroposophical Music Therapy (AMT) in 2005, after her training as a Certified Music Practitioner. Since then, she has worked as an AMT with different populations, age groups and in varied settings, most consistently in the Camphill Communities. She also teaches the lyre to children (from 5 years old onward) and adults in groups and individually.

Monica has given presentations about AMT and has lead courses and workshops for early childhood teachers and parents of young children about the importance of the ‘mood of the fifth’, providing an in-depth experience and understanding of the different stages of a child’s musical development and needs. She wishes to inspire parents for and teaches the singing of lullabies.
Earlier in her life she trained to be a kindergarten- and later a special education teacher and raised her own five children.