Explorations Online 2023-2024
Deepen your understanding of the life of spirit through study, exercises in self-development, and the practice of the arts.
Deepen your understanding of the life of spirit through study, exercises in self-development, and the practice of the arts.
Program introduction
With its online format, this course in foundational studies is available to interested people from around the world. We are gratified that so many have been finding this course to be a meaningful and practical way to deepen their understanding of basic anthroposophy and the arts – while also having the opportunity to consider the contemporary issues facing us in our schools and society today.
This foundational program fulfills entrance requirements for further teacher education programs.
What you'll experience
The course begins on March 11, 2023 and runs through February 24, 2024, with a three-month summer break. Classes meet on weekends twice a month – Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. PT.
Each class begins with 30 minutes of artistic work (speech/storytelling, movement, music, or pastel drawing), followed by contemplative studies on current themes, using anthroposophy as a method of inquiry.
For schedule and topic details, see the Program Schedule section below.
Who should attend
The course is intended primarily for parents, administrators, and new teachers in public and independent Waldorf schools as well as those teaching children at home.
Tuition
The tuition for the entire 10 month course of classes is only $720. You may either register with a $72 deposit, which would be followed by 9 more automatic monthly charges of $72 each, or you may choose to remit the full $720 at registration. In either case, however, if you choose to pay with a credit card, there will be a 3% bank processing fee added.
Financial Aid
A limited financial aid is available upon request. Anyone in need of such tuition assistance, please fill out and submit the form below.
Explorations Financial Aid Application
2023 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Contact Beverly directly with questions about the program.
What you'll explore
Click the toggle below for the schedule and session topics we’ll cover.
Program Schedule
We will meet on weekends twice a month — Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 — 2:00 ET, 9:00 — 11:00 PT.
| Class Schedule for Explorations Online 2023-2024 |
|---|
| March 11 and March 25-26, 2023 Meditative Practices and Self-Development, with Bev Boyer, with a welcome from Torin Finser, speech with Debbie Spitulnik |
| April 22-23 and April 29-30 Practical Thinking and the Rightful Place of Technology, with Douglas Gerwin, eurythmy with Leonore Russell |
| May 20-21 Parents and Community in a Waldorf School, with David Barham, pastel drawing with Nikki Shoneman |
| Summer Break |
| September 9-10 and September 23-24 Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today, with Kim John Payne, eurythmy with Leonore Russell |
| October 14-15 and October 28-29 Temperaments and Learning Styles with Carla Beebe Comey, speech with Debbie Spitulnik |
| November 11-12 and November 18-19 Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other as Advocates for Social Justice, with Heather Scott, singing with Meg O’Dell Chittenden |
| December 2-3 and December 16-17 Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes, Study and Visual Arts with Colleen O’Connors |
| January 13-14 and January 27-28, 2024 Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Times, with Alison Henry, singing with Meg O’Dell Chittenden |
| February 10-11 and February 24 Innovation Through Anthroposophical Initiatives, with Karen Atkinson and Bev Boyer, speech with Debbie Spitulnik |
Additional Waldorf High School Explorations Option
Waldorf High School Explorations Program Schedule
| Date | Class Schedule for Explorations Online 2023 | Date | High School Seminar Schedule for 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 11 | Meditative Practices and Self-Development, with Bev Boyer, with a welcome from Torin Finser, speech with Debbie Spitulnik | March 11 | MathematicsOverview and Waldorf Approach to Math, with Jamie York |
| March 25-26 | Meditative Practices and Self-Development, with Bev Boyer, with a welcome from Torin Finser, speech with Debbie Spitulnik | March 25 | Physical Sciences Waldorf Approach to Physical Sciences with Michael D’Aleo |
| April 22-23 | Practical Training in Thinking and the Rightful Place of Technology with Douglas Gerwin and Leonore Russell | April 22 | Humanities — History Waldorf Approach to History with Paul Gierlach |
| April 29-30 | Practical Training in Thinking and the Rightful Place of Technology with Douglas Gerwin and Leonore Russell | April 29 | Life Sciences Waldorf Approach to Life Sciences with Michael Holdrege |
| May 20-21 | Parents & Community in a Waldorf School with Torin Finser and Karine Munk Finser | May 20 | Humanities — English & Drama Waldorf Approach to English and Drama with David Sloan |
| June 3 | Humanities — Art & Art History Waldorf Approach to Art & Art History Wrap-Up to Spring Term with Patrick Stolfo |
Program Leadership
Beverly Boyer
Director of Explorations
Faculty
The 2023-24 guest speakers and artistic leaders include:
Torin Finser
Beverly Boyer
Debbie Spitulnik
Douglas Gerwin
David Barham
Leonore Russell
Kim John Payne
Carla Beebe Comey
Heather Scott
Meg O'Dell Chittenden
Colleen O'Connors
Nikki Shoneman
Alison Henry
Angela Lindstrom (guest presenter)
Karen Atkinson
Ukraine, Covid, Selma Bridge: A Call to Explore
What former students have said...
Reading and Materials List
- A pack of chalk pastels (not oil pastels), A rainbow of colors is preferred. (Nupastel by prismacolor are good quality.)
- Pastel paper 9”x12” or bigger - can use watercolor paper - 3 sheets.
- Colored pencils or Lyra pencils - whatever colors you already have will work.
- A journal to write and sketch in - blank and unlined is best.
- Masking tape.
All reading assignments will be taken from a single text – Guided Self-Study by Torin M. Finser. This book is a compilation from Steiner’s basic books, including How to Higher Worlds, Theosophy, and Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path: A Philosophy of Freedom.
Guided Self-Study is readily available from Amazon as well as from Steiner Books. There is a reading assignment for each workshop theme throughout the course as listed below. Note that assignments are given using both page references and chapter titles. Please bring your copy of Guided Self-Study to each class.
The readings are meant to serve as both a preparation for the weekend sessions and a reference point for discussions. Instructors will assume some familiarity with the material and will welcome questions and lively engagement during the weekend sessions.
Workshop One: Meditative Practices and Self-Development
Prior to the first class, please read pages 191-202 (Appendix 1) and pages 3-21 (chapters 1 – 2 in section of the book called the “The Book of Peace”)
Prior to the second weekend, please read Pages 69-79 (Chapter 1 from the section of the book called “The Book of Knowledge”)
Workshop Two: Practical Thinking and the Rightful Place of Technology
Prior to the first weekend, please read pages 103-116 (Chapters 1-3 from "The Book of Freedom”)
Prior to the second weekend, please read pages 141-161 (“Practical Training in
Thought”)
Workshop Three: Parents and Community in a Waldorf School
Please read pages 80-88 (Chapter 2 from “The Book of Knowledge”)
Workshop Four: Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
Please read pages 22-31 (Chapters 3 and 4 from “The Book of Peace”)
Workshop Five: Healing the Hurt
Please read pages 32-48 (Chapters 5-8 from “The Book of Peace”)
Workshop Six: Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes
Please read pages 117-132 (Chapters 4-8 from “The Book of Freedom”)
Workshop Seven: Temperaments and Learning Styles
Please read pages 89-102 (“The Four Temperaments”)
Workshop Eight: Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum
Please read pages 139-140 (Chapter 12 from “The Book of Freedom”)
Workshop Nine: Innovation Through Anthroposophical Initiatives
Please read pages 203-215 (Appendices 2 -3)
