Special Renewal Courses for Music, Practical Arts, and Math Teachers
Summer is on the horizon, and we look forward to welcoming many of you to our Renewal Courses in Wilton, NH. In a retreat-like community, teachers are invited to breathe out the school year they have left behind and prepare for the year ahead, enjoying all the while some summer celebration.
Newsletter Spring 2019
Dear Reader, The French are fond of saying, “Reculer pour mieux sauter.” Every lion, and many another mammal, knows that a long leap forwards presupposes a strong reach backwards. As we near the 100th anniversary of Waldorf education, these two polar complementary gestures can be observed in the array of our programs, which are intended to honor our heritage while embracing our destiny. Whether in our studies, in our new course offerings–or even in the purpose of our travels–we embody these two gestures. In this issue we share vignettes of our past and glimpses of our future. — Douglas Gerwin Executive Director Center for Anthroposophy Dateline Wilton NH: Calling All Alumni – and Friends! As part of a new initiative to reach out to participants in our programs, two evenings of discussion and artistic performance will be held this summer for alumni of our various programs. Here is a brief overview During our Renewal Courses this summer on the campus of High Mowing School in Wilton NH, we are planning two festive alumni events of discussion, followed by supper, and each ending with a professional eurythmy performance. The purpose of these two evenings is to give alumni and friends of programs at both the Center for Anthroposophy (CfA) and the Waldorf programs at Antioch University New England (AUNE) the chance to reconnect with their teachers and fellow students and also to offer their perspectives on what they would find most helpful as follow-up to their experiences in one or more of our adult education programs. Fruits of these discussions will flow during the coming year into the formation of a new association for friends and graduates of programs sponsored by CfA and AUNE. The events are open to all who have taken part in programs sponsored by CfA-including Foundation Studies, Explorations, Building Bridges, and Renewal–as well as teacher education programs at CfA or the Waldorf Program at Antioch for elementary and high school teachers or school administrators, trustees, and parents. Both events-the first on Thursday 27 June, the second on Thursday 4 July-will start in the “Big Room” at High Mowing at 5:00 p.m. with introductions and discussions. Participants are welcome to attend either event–or both!–but the second one will have more of a focus on our high school program. The first eurythmy performance will be offered by the eurythmy school in Spring Valley, NY; the second by a troupe based at the Camphill community in Pennsylvania. Both of the evening performances will take place in the auditorium of Pine Hill Waldorf School across the road from High Mowing. Space for the two gatherings will be limited and so we urge participants to RSVP no later than Friday 15 June to Douglas Gerwin, CfA’s Executive Director, at douglasgerwin@gmail.com Please mark these dates! Thursday 27 June 2019 and Thursday 4 July 2019 Dateline Wilton NH: Farewells and First Appearances Karine Munk Finser, Director of CfA’s popular Renewal Courses, reports on the latest line up of star-studded seminars and workshops for the coming summer season. Renewal Courses in Summer 2019 Week 1: Sunday 23 – Friday 28 June Week 2: Sunday 30 June – Friday 5 July Dear Friends, Another summer is on the horizon and our Renewal courses hope to be that place where teachers can breathe out the school year that they left behind, while preparing for the year ahead before entering the summer fully. Administrators, philosophers, parents, assistants, artists, all can enjoy taking a course in a retreat-like community where we meet and hear our questions shared and illuminated, all the while enjoying some summer celebration. After a year of teaching and working, we can leave not only with more preparation for the year ahead, but also able to meet the needs in our children, work with our parents and our colleagues, and shed light on issues that need our focused heart-warmed attention. Especially today, when we see clashing of old school and new school approaches, also in our Waldorf schools, we need to carefully heed our treatment of one another: are we able to walk responsibly caring for one another? Rudolf Steiner wanted us to create centers of light and peace. This will be the dedication this year of both weeks of Renewal 2019. We will carry our schools’ needs in mind while gathering in classrooms, around the dining tables, in the field playing games, while painting, doing clay work, singing, doing eurythmy, and all while our angels are with us, gathering so many communities under one roof in a large Renewal gathering. Our courses are not only for teachers. We welcome parents, administrators, assistants, artists, philosophers, and all those who feel that anthroposophy has become meaningful or those who wish to find out more about this philosophy. It is our hope that we can support you in bringing more than methods, but that this gathering may ignite your hearts so that you will return home full of joy. Now that New Hampshire has finally burst into blossom, the days are speeding up until we will finally welcome you in the lobby of High Mowing School, in Wilton. There is still time to sign up for one of our short weeks or take advantage of the special price tag for both Renewal weeks. Christof Wiechert has been integral to our Renewal Courses for many years, sharing his life work through his own classes but also speaking daily to all our grade specific participants. His lectures have been a gift to us all for nearly a decade. Again this year, after morning gathering, Christof will offer five morning lectures, short but poignant, before teaching his own class. This is the last year that Christof is offering the Child Study but it is our sincere hope that he will continue to come offer his riches to us in some capacity in the future. During this first week, Janet Langley, together with Pat Connolly, will return this summer with their popular “Roadmap to Literacy” course. There are some spots left
New Position open at CfA
Operations Manager of a Waldorf adult learning center From its offices in Southern New Hampshire, the Center for Anthroposophy (CfA) organizes adult education programs across the American continent––from Maine and Florida to Colorado and California––for a broad spectrum of people interested in Waldorf education and the practices of self-transformation that inspire it. In addition to offering accredited graduate-level programs for prospective and practicing Waldorf teachers, CfA sponsors part-time foundational and refresher courses for Waldorf teachers and those who stand with them as administrators, trustees, parents, and friends. . . . As CfA expands its modest administrative team to support its activities across the country, we are looking for a dynamic and self-motivated person to join our team in the newly created position of Operations Manager. The ideal candidate we seek has an eye for the whole while thriving on the details, brings a winning combination of infectious enthusiasm and tempered professionalism, and knows how to manage overall operations with efficiency graced with a human touch. Handling the bustle of time-sensitive tasks while retaining a sense of serenity is key to success. The position includes oversight of program registrations, advertising campaigns (online and in print), relations with alumni, data entry and updating records, office management and clerical filing, business correspondence, fund-raising mailings, and the rudiments of financial and budgetary operations. Office computer skills and expertise in accounting software are prerequisite; experience in Waldorf education and non-profit management is preferred. Initially, this year-round salaried position will be part-time, but for a successful candidate it may expand with experience and longevity. Applicants need to reside within driving distance of Southern New Hampshire, though some responsibilities of this position may be conducted from home. Interested candidates should submit letter of interest––plus resume and three professional references––via e-mail to Milan Daler, CfA’s Administrator, at milan@centerforanthroposophy.org
Beyond 100: A return to the social justice roots of Waldorf Education
Dr. Torin Finser, PhD, of Antioch University New England is sharing his expertise with educators around the world to commemorate 100 years of Waldorf Education and look to the future.
Summer Renewal Courses for the Whole Community! Early Bird Discount thru April 15
Did you know that Renewal Courses are not just for teachers?Renewal Courses are created with the entire community in mind, including teachers, parents, grandparents, friends, and the wider community!
Building Bridges Waldorf Teacher Training at Yuba River Charter School
In partnership with The Center for Anthroposophy and Antioch University, Yuba River Charter School is excited to host the Building Bridges Waldorf Teacher training at our new campus during the 2019-2020 school year! One year program 2019-2020 One weekend a month Located at the new YRCS campus in Grass Valley, CA Counts as the Foundations Year AND one summer of Waldorf teacher training Deposits will secure your place in this rare local opportunity Visit this link for more information or contact Karin Meadows at karin@yubariverschool.org
PREPARING FOR A CULTURE OF EMPATHY: Embracing All Our Children
An evening with Karine Munk Finser Wednesday, March 13, 2019 7:30 PM Adele Grage Community Center 716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 [maxbutton id=”2″ url=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpxTNevMs3bI_mBly8p2Vdjm4s_wescPbXH_aNL-PGywknqA/viewform” text=”Register Now” linktitle=”Register Now”] We have a lot to learn from our children. Karine Munk Finser will share some of the stories children tell in paintings and words, that bring to light some of the challenges children carry when they struggle in the classroom. The importance of welcoming our children into a culture of kindness, imagination, and joy, supporting their emotional intelligence lies at the heart of Waldorf Education. Rudolf Steiner thought that we are preparing for a future time when it will be impossible to walk by a fellow human being who suffers without feeling it as our own suffering. This evening will be an opportunity to look at our inherent creativity, and how we can discover empathetic practices to meet our children both as parents and as teachers. Karine Munk Finser is Director of Renewal Courses, offered by the Center for Anthroposophy. She is Teaching Faculty at Antioch University New England, and has a Diploma in Art Therapy from the Goetheanum, Switzerland. She has published chapters in several books and is presently writing her own book on Color and the Soul. Some of her artwork is displayed on this page. [maxbutton id=”2″ url=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpxTNevMs3bI_mBly8p2Vdjm4s_wescPbXH_aNL-PGywknqA/viewform” text=”Register Now” linktitle=”Register Now”]
Newsletter Winter 2019
The dead of winter can be deceiving. What appears to be the least active season of the year is in fact a period of greatest potency and gestation.
New Jobs Board on Center for Anthroposophy Website
The Center for Anthroposophy has added a new page to it’s website which aims to connect job seekers with positions available in the Waldorf world. Anyone can visit the page and browse the details about posted jobs. In order to post a job, or make a comment on a job posting, registration is required. In order to register, click the Register button at the top right of the screen. If you have already registered for our existing Ride Share forum, you can use the the Login button and the same Login name and Password. If you believe you are already registered, but forget your login, please use the Lost password? link. After you register, a Registration confirmation ‘Center for Anthroposophy New User Registration’ will be emailed to you. There will be a really long link, called ‘Password Retrieval URL’ in the email that will take you to a page that says “Enter your new password below.” You can use the strong suggested password or enter your own password. You can copy and save the password someplace safe, or let your browser remember the password for you. In any case, you can always use the Lost password? link to generate a new password. Currently, we have 4 teaching positions listed on the page. We invite all interested parties to make use of this exciting new feature on our website!
Seeding the Future One Child at a Time
The world gets better one person and one action at a time. “Seeding the Future” provides a glimpse into the principles of Waldorf education, an education that fosters concern for others, connection to the world, and the capacity to be in service to society. This video short is a trailer to the international film, “Learn to Change the World” https://www.waldorf-100.org/en#Waldorf100#WaldorfEducation
