Explorations Online
2025-2026
Deepen your understanding of the life of spirit through study, exercises in self-development, and the practice of the arts.
Program introduction
Step into a Transformative Journey with Waldorf Explorations Online
Ready to deepen your connection to the spiritual, artistic, and human dimensions of Waldorf education and Anthroposophy? Explorations is a convenient online experience designed for parents, educators, and seekers alike. Over the course of this dynamic program, you will explore meditative practices, child development, artistic renewal, and focus on personal as well as community-oriented development through live weekend sessions led by master teachers. From speech and singing to eurythmy and pastel drawing, this is more than a course—it’s a gateway to personal growth and community. Whether you are brand new or deepening a long-standing path, your next step begins here.
With its convenient online format, this course in anthroposophical foundational studies is open and available to all interested people from around the world. It is wonderful that so many are finding it to be a meaningful and practical way to deepen their understanding of basic anthroposophy and related arts, while also having the opportunity to consider the contemporary issues facing us in our schools and society at large.
To earn a certificate of completion and to fulfill the entrance requirements for further Waldorf teacher education programs, you must attend at least 80% of the live sessions with your camera on. If that is not possible, please contact the program director before registering.
What you'll experience
The fall session starts on August 23, 2025, and will end on May 17, 2026. All 30 sessions will be recorded and available for later viewing.
The spring session will begin March 7, 2026 and will end on February 20, 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, eurythmy, music, or pastel drawing), followed by contemplative studies on current themes, using anthroposophy as a method of inquiry.
To earn a certificate of completion, you must attend at least 80% of the live sessions with your camera on. If that is not possible, please contact the program director before registering.
Who should attend
This course is designed for parents, teachers, administrators, or anyone who wants to learn more about Waldorf (Steiner) education and its anthroposophical foundations. Participating in Explorations meets the requirement for further teacher training. Explorations may be taken simultaneously with Building Bridges, Waldorf Leadership Development as well as the other teacher training programs at Center for Anthroposophy.
Deborah Dornemann
Director
Have Questions?
Program Schedule
Click the toggle below for the schedule and session topics we’ll cover.
For Students Entering Fall, 2025
Program Schedule
Fall Cycle Begins August 23
Course curriculum
Resources For Explorations Online 2025-2026 – Fall Cycle
August 23, 2025
Meditative Practices and Self-Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
September 6, 2025
Meditative Practices and Self-Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
September 7, 2025
Meditative Practices and Self-Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik – September 7, 2025
September 13, 2025
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
with Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
September 14, 2025
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
with Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
September 20, 2025
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
with Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
September 21, 2025
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
with Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
October 11, 2025
Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes, Study and Visual Arts
with Colleen O’Connors
October 12, 2025
Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes, Study and Visual Arts
with Colleen O’Connors
October 25, 2025
Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes, Study and Visual Arts
with Colleen O’Connors
November 8, 2025
Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other
with Heather Scott, Singing with Meg O’Dell
November 9, 2025
Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other
with Heather Scott, Singing with Meg O’Dell
November 15, 2025
Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other
with Heather Scott, Singing with Meg O’Dell
December 6, 2025
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Carla Beebe Comey, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
December 7, 2025
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Carla Beebe Comey, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
December 13, 2025
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Carla Beebe Comey, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
December 14, 2025
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Carla Beebe Comey, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
January 10, 2026
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Alison Henry, Singing with Meg O’Dell
January 11, 2026
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Alison Henry, Singing with Meg O’Dell
January 24, 2026
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Alison Henry, Singing with Meg O’Dell
January 25, 2026
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Alison Henry, Singing with Meg O’Dell
February 7, 2026
Innovation Through Anthroposophical Initiatives
with Karen Atkinson, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
February 8, 2026
Innovation Through Anthroposophical Initiatives
with Karen Atkinson, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
February 21, 2026
Personal and Professional Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
April 11, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
April 12, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
April 18, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
April 19, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
May 16, 2026
Parents and Community in a Waldorf School
with David Barham, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
May 17, 2026
Parents and Community in a Waldorf School
with David Barham, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
Fall Cycle Ends
For Students Entering Spring, 2026
Program Schedule
Spring Cycle Begins
Course curriculum
Resources For Explorations Online 2026-2027 – Spring Cycle
March 7, 2026
Meditative Practices and Self-Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
March 21, 2026
Meditative Practices and Self-Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
March 22, 2026
Meditative Practices and Self-Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik – September 7, 2025
April 11, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
April 12, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
April 18, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
April 19, 2026
Practical Thinking
with Eduardo Yi and Eurythmy with Leonore Russel
May 16, 2026
Parents and Community in a Waldorf School
with David Barham, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
May 17, 2026
Parents and Community in a Waldorf School
with David Barham, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
September 12, 2026
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
with Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
September 13, 2026
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today,
Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
September 19, 2026
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
with Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
September 20, 2026
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Children Today
with Kim John Payne, Eurythmy with Leonore Russell
October 3, 2026
Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes, Study and Visual Arts
with Colleen O’Connors
October 4, 2026
Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes, Study and Visual Arts
with Colleen O’Connors
October 17, 2026
Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes, Study and Visual Arts
with Colleen O’Connors
November 7, 2026
Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other
with Heather Scott, Singing with Meg O’Dell
November 8, 2026
Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other
with Heather Scott, Singing with Meg O’Dell
November 14, 2026
Healing the Hurt: Learning to Support Each Other
with Heather Scott, Singing with Meg O’Dell
December 5, 2026
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Guest Teacher, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
December 6, 2026
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Guest Teacher, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
December 12, 2026
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Guest Teacher, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
December 13, 2026
Temperaments and Learning Styles
with Guest Teacher, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
January 9, 2027
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Guest Teacher, Singing with Meg O’Dell
January 10, 2027
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Guest Teacher, Singing with Meg O’Dell
January 23, 2027
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Guest Teacher, Singing with Meg O’Dell
January 24, 2027
Overview of the Waldorf Grades Curriculum: A Renewed Pedagogy for Our Time
with Guest Teacher, Singing with Meg O’Dell
February 6, 2027
Innovation Through Anthroposophical Initiatives
with Karen Atkinson, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
February 7, 2027
Innovation Through Anthroposophical Initiatives
with Karen Atkinson, Pastel Drawing with Nikki Shoneman
February 20, 2027
Personal and Professional Development
with Deborah Dornemann, Speech with Debbie Spitulnik
Spring Cycle Ends
You may cancel your registration up to 15 days prior to the beginning of the program and receive a full refund.
To withdraw from the program while in session, please email deborah@centerforanthroposophy.org
Once your request is granted your payment plan will be cancelled and the remaining tuition balance credited to your account. A $75 cancellation fee will apply.
A limited financial aid is available upon request. Anyone in need of such tuition assistance, please fill out and submit the Financial Aid Application form on the Registration page.
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: Temperaments and Learning Styles
Please read pages 89-102 (“The Four Temperaments”)
Workshop Six: Healing the Hurt
Please read pages 32-48 (Chapters 5-8 from “The Book of Peace”)
Workshop Seven: Phenomenology: Learning to See with Beginner’s Eyes
Please read pages 117-132 (Chapters 4-8 from “The Book of Freedom”)
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)
