Explorations Online 2022
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
What you'll experience
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.
Interested in 2023?
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 2022-23 |
|---|
| March 12 and March 26-27, 2022 Meditative Practices and Self-Development, with Bev Boyer, with a welcome from Torin Finser, speech with Debbie Spitulnik |
| April 9-10 and April 30-May 1 Practical Thinking and the Rightful Place of Technology, with Douglas Gerwin, eurythmy with Leonore Russell |
| May 14-15 Parents and Community in a Waldorf School, with Torin Finser and Karine Munk Finser, pastel drawing with Karine Munk Finser |
| Summer Break |
| September 10-11 and September 24-25 Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today, with Kim John Payne, eurythmy with Leonore Russell |
| October 1-2 and October 15-16 Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other as Advocates for Social Justice, with Heather Scott, singing with Meg Chittenden |
| October 29-30 and November 12-13 Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes: Study and Visual Arts with Colleen O’Connors |
| December 3-4 and December 17-18 Temperaments and Learning Styles, with Carla Beebe Comey, speech with Debbie Spitulnik |
| January 14-15 and January 28-29 Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for our Time, with Alison Henry and guest presenters, singing with Meg Chittenden |
| February 11-12 and February 25 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 2022 | Date | High School Seminar Schedule for 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 12 | Meditative Practices and Self-Development, with Bev Boyer, with a welcome from Torin Finser, speech with Debbie Spitulnik | March 12 | MathematicsOverview and Waldorf Approach to Math, with Douglas Gerwin, Jamie York |
| March 26-27 | Meditative Practices and Self-Development, with Bev Boyer, with a welcome from Torin Finser, speech with Debbie Spitulnik | March 26 | Physical Sciences Waldorf Approach to Physical Sciences with Michael D’Aleo |
| April 9-10 | Practical Training in Thinking and the Rightful Place of Technology with Douglas Gerwin and Leonore Russell | April 9 | Life Sciences Waldorf Approach to Life Sciences with Michael Holdrege |
| April 30-May1 | Practical Training in Thinking and the Rightful Place of Technology with Douglas Gerwin and Leonore Russell | April 30 | Humanities — English Waldorf Approach to English with David Sloan |
| May 14-15 | Parents & Community in a Waldorf School with Torin Finser and Karine Munk Finser | May 14 | Humanities — History Waldorf Approach to History Wrap Up to Spring Term with Paul Gierlach and Douglas Gerwin |
Program Leadership
Faculty
The 2022-23 guest speakers and artistic leaders include:
Torin Finser Bev Boyer Debbie Spitulnik Karine Munk Finser Douglas Gerwin Leonore Russell Kim John Payne Carla Beebe Comey Heather Scott Meg Chittenden Colleen O'Connors Alison Henry Angela Lindstrom (guest presenter) Karen Atkinson Linda Williams
Ukraine, Covid, Selma Bridge: A Call to Explore
What former students have said...
Reading and Materials List
- Pastels:
4 pieces of decent pastel paper: ideally Vellum by Cranson or other decent brands. It can’t be watercolor paper. Size minimum 16” wide and 12” tall, or a little larger. Ryan-media paper is ok, make sure it’s not too rough or too thin. - Chalk pastels: basic rainbow colors including pink, lilac, white, black, rose, if possible yellow/white. (A great brand is Nupastels: buy single colors as needed or a box set)
- Odorless hairspray to settle it or fixative for dry media.
- Tissue paper.
- A small, flat board to fit paper size
- Masking tape, not blue
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)
Getting Started
We encourage you to reserve your spot in the 2023 group by submitting this form:
