New Explorations group forming in Keene, NH
Ever wished for a Waldorf education of your own? Wish no more, the opportunity awaits you: An Explorations Group is forming in Keene, NH! Offered by the Center for Anthroposophy, “Explorations” is an arts-based program for adults wishing to explore anthroposophical endeavors, including the foundational principles of Waldorf Education. A free information session about the program will be held on: Thursday, November 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Monadnock Waldorf School, Grade School-98 S. Lincoln St., Keene, NH 03431. Join us in the 3rd grade classroom to learn more!
Newsletter Autumn 2018
With the start of the new school year, we are celebrating the inauguration of several fresh initiatives, both in the fields of digital media worldwide and of high school teacher education on this continent, along with a preview of new programs to be launched during the months ahead. And we celebrated the advent in our midst of a newly married couple!
Newsletter Spring 2018
A wise observer of human affairs once observed: “War is a function of those who think in twos; peace is made by those who think in threes.”
Towards A Future Worthy Of Our Children: A Conference On Childhood For Parents, Educators And Caregivers
When: FRIDAY EVENING APRIL 27 AND SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2018 Where: 515 Cougar Ridge Drive S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3H 5G9 Phone: 403-287-1868 | Fax: 403-287-3414 Info@calgarywaldorf.org FRIDAY EVENING APRIL 27 AND SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2018 About Keynote Speaker: Torin M. Finser, PhD Torin M. Finser has his PhD in Educational Leadership and an MA in Education with Waldorf specialization. Dr. Finser was a Waldorf student himself, having attended Waldorf schools in the United States and Germany. He has been an educator for more than three decades (as a class teacher, subject specialty teacher, and teacher of teachers) and is an international speaker, consultant, advisor, and advocate for school renewal. Torin has served on the Board of six Waldorf schools, and he has served as General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in America. Torin has for many years worked as an organizational consultant for a wide variety and number of schools, in the areas of leadership development, conflict resolution, organizational and group dynamics, mentoring, and teacher development. He has led workshops and conferences on healthy school relationships; stress transformation; individual, school and community renewal; and the arts and foreign languages in the curriculum. Dr. Finser is the author of ten books, including School as a Journey; In Search of Ethical Leadership; School Renewal; Organizational Integrity; A Second Classroom: Parent-Teacher Relationships in a Waldorf School; Finding Your Self: Exercises and Suggestions for Teachers; Leadership Development; and most recently Education for Nonviolence: The Waldorf Way. CONFERENCE SCHEDULE FRIDAY APRIL 27, 2018 6:45 pm Registration Opens 7:15 to 9:00 pm Evening Keynote Talk by Torin Finser SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2018 8:15 am Registration Opens 9:00 am Morning Keynote Talk by Torin Finser 10:45 am Break 11:15 am Morning Workshops 12:45 pm Lunch 2:15 pm Afternoon Workshops 3:45 pm Break 4:00 pm Wrap-up with Torin Finser Note: With the exception of babes in arms, this conference is for adults only, please. REGISTRATION INFORMATION The conference is limited to 150 participants on a first come, first served basis. Note, we are now offering online registration only, starting February 1st.. Register before March 18th for our Early Bird Prize Draw – a $50.00 Gift Certificate to the Pixie Hut! Conference Fee (includes lunch and light snacks) $105 per person by April 17th $130 per person after April 17th Gateways registration is only available online. Registration starts February 1st at: calgarywaldorf.org/gateways.html Payment must be made online at: calgarywaldorf.org/gateways.html Waldorf-inspired toys, books, and supplies will be available for purchase from the Pixie Hut during registration times, and at snack and lunch breaks. LODGING If you require lodging during your stay in Calgary for the Gateways Conference please let us know. We can let you know of nearby hotels or discuss the option of billeting with a Calgary Waldorf School family of faculty member CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, please email gateways@calgarywaldorf.org, or phone 403-287-1868 ext. 148 LOCATION OF CONFERENCE 515 Cougar Ridge Drive SW. The Calgary Waldorf School is located in the south-west neighbourhood of Cougar Ridge.
Summer Renewal Courses for the Whole Community!
Renewal Courses 2018 Early Registration Discount through May 1st! Dear Friends, We are looking forward to another exciting summer of Renewal Courses on the beautiful campus of High Mowing School in Wilton, New Hampshire. 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! Our summer courses offer a special time for renewal and an opportunity to deepen your connection with friends old & new, with the arts & humanities, with many exciting subject areas, and with Anthroposophy. We hope to see you this summer! View the Renewal Brochure here. Questions? Contact renewal@centerforanthroposophy.org or phone (603) 654-2566. Renewal Week Two: July 1-6 Please click on the images to view the course descriptions. Renewal Week One Highlights: June 24-29 View the Renewal Brochure here. Looking forward to welcoming you to Renewal this summer! Karine Munk Finser, Coordinator for Renewal Courses Lisl Hofer, Renewal Courses Manager
A Discussion and Book Signing with Dr. Torin Finser at New Amsterdam School
When: Wed Mar 28 11pm – Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:30am Where: The New Amsterdam School, 62 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009, USA Torin M. Finser, PhD, is Chair of the Education Department at Antioch University New England. He has been an educator for three decades and has been a keynote speaker at international conferences and throughout the United States. He has also served as an organizational consultant for many schools with special emphasis on leadership development. He is the author of numerous books, many of which have now been translated into foreign languages and are read all over the world. Education for Nonviolence: The Waldorf Way, is a crucial book for our time. Dr. Finser eloquently identifies the unique practices in Waldorf Education that enable students to grow into well balanced, confident, influential adults in society. This book is a must read for all school administrators, teachers, and parents looking to connect more deeply with the needs of our children and prepare them to face the increasing challenges of modern society. Education for Nonviolence: The Waldorf Way is available here.
That which can unite us again, by Torin M. Finser
Torin M. Finser PhD has had a letter to the editor of the Keene Sentinel published on their website. “Monday, our 16-year-old son placed 17 daffodils along the fence outside the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. As he knelt amidst the hundreds of flowers, wreaths, candles and handmade signs, I was struck by the great force of unity that can still rise up in our often troubled nation. It was expressed in the vast array of colors, the jumbled confusion of self expression, and especially in the words chosen to express some of the feelings and ideals of those remaining behind.” Click here to read the rest of this article.
Book Discussion & Signing By Torin Finser At Sea and Spring River School
When: March 13, 2018 7:00 PM Where: Adele Grage Community Center 716 Ocean Blvd Atlantic Beach, FL The Book: Education for Nonviolence: The Waldorf Way By Torin M. Finser, PhD Reception & a chance to meet the author following the discussion. Books available for purchase at event. In a world of increasing violence and destruction, many parents and educators are asking, “How can we raise children with the resilience needed to face such challenges? How can we help our children become confident and compassionate contributors in society?” In his new book, Education for Nonviolence: The Waldorf Way, Dr. Torin Finser examines the source of evil and terror, identifying its root within the human soul. If human nature has the capacity for both goodness and evil, Dr. Finser argues that educators and parents must be concerned with educating not just the intellect of each child, but the entire soul. He describes, “In this case, the source of evil is in the human soul, the psyche, the inner life of a person. The life of emotions, of anger, fear, and envy are real forces that work their way outward from within. If one is to get at the root of evil, one has to begin with the soul” (21). “Education for Nonviolence; The Waldorf Way, is a crucial book for our time. Dr. Finser eloquently identifies the unique practices in Waldorf Education that enable students to grow into well balanced, confident, influential adults in society.” –Rebecca Hipps, Class Teacher at the Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda MD. FREE EVENT. Register for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-torin-finser-tickets-43496992676?aff=es2 For more information about the Playgarden by the Sea: https://www.theplaygarden.org/ For more information about Spring RIver School: https://springriverschool.org/ Dr. Finser is Chair of the Education Department at Antioch University New England. He has been an educator for three decades and has been a keynote speaker at conferences throughout the United States and internationally. He has also served as an organizational consultant for many schools with special emphasis on leadership development. He is the author of numerous books, many of which have now been translated into foreign languages and are read all over the world. They include School as a Journey (1994); School Renewal (2001); and Organizational Integrity (2007).
Torin Finser reflects on the school tragedy in Florida
As I read of the tragic shooting in Florida, the 18th in a U.S school this new year, I am once again feeling an all too frequent mix of reactions: shock, grief, frustration, compassion……..Most of all I am overwhelmed with our seeming powerlessness and inability as a society to really do anything to stop these senseless acts of violence. It weighs as a heavy blanket over my day, making it harder to focus and find joy in daily tasks. (Read the rest of this post on the Antioch University website)
Newsletter Winter 2018
With this issue we mark various moments of transition, including the completion of several long-term programs and projects and the advent of some new ones. Familiar and well-beloved faces take their leave; others–including new faculty members and new cohorts of prospective and practicing Waldorf teachers–are joining us.
