Mentor Training

Pedagogical Mentoring in Partnership

2024

A Prototype of AWSNA’s Pedagogical Mentoring in Partnership Project. Preparing seasoned teachers to become pedagogical mentors working in collaboration with new and developing teachers.

Become a Mentor!

Become a Mentor to Waldorf teachers working in the classroom. Gather up the wisdom of your experience and learn best practices as a pedagogical mentor, using a fresh perspective and an innovative approach. This certificate program enables you to offer mentorship services to a wide network of schools requesting support for their new and developing Waldorf educators.

Program Overview

A low-residency certificate program for experienced teachers to develop the art of pedagogical mentoring in partnership. This ten-month program offers a comprehensive approach to deepening one’s own capacities in order to better serve practicing teachers in our schools today. 

Through a combination of virtual and in-person training, participants will come together once monthly on Saturdays to work in collaboration with program faculty in all realms of Waldorf education: early childhood, grades, high school, and special subjects. The program will begin on Saturday, January 13, 2024 and conclude on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The program includes a week long in-person residency, to be held in Wilton, NH from June 30-July 5, 2024.

Who should attend

  • Experienced Waldorf educators interested in learning best practices for supporting our teachers through pedagogical mentoring in collaboration.
  • Individuals interested in cultivating the capacities needed to serve as an internal mentor for their faculty and beyond.
  • Seasoned Waldorf educators ready to take their experience and knowledge to a higher level in an effort to support Waldorf education now and into the future.

Benefits for Schools

  • Help your school thrive by meeting the needs of teachers through pedagogical mentoring in partnership – an economical way to provide internal mentoring at your school.
  • Save your school time and resources by sponsoring one of more of your seasoned teacher to complete this training instead of hiring external mentors for your faculty.

Prerequisites

Individuals interested in applying to this specialized training will have:

  • A deep understanding of Waldorf pedagogy
  • Waldorf teacher training certificate from a recognized institute or the equivalent
  • A minimum of seven years teaching full-time in a Waldorf school
  • A letter of recommendation from their current school.
Special Note:   

Colleagues currently not teaching at a specific school are asked to submit a letter of recommendation from each of two schools where they have taught and/or mentored.

Karen Atkinson

Director of Mentor Training

Contact Karen directly with questions about the program.

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What you'll explore

We’ll meet virtually once a month on Saturdays from 12:00-2:00 ET, 9:00-11:00 PT and for one week in-person during the summer, from June 30 – July 5, 2024.

Click the toggle below for the schedule and session topics.

Program Schedule

Date Class Schedule for Mentor Training 2024
January 13, 2024

Session I:

 

Program Introduction and Presentation on Breathing, part I
with Karen Atkinson and Lori Kran

 

Eurythmy
with Alexandra Spadea

 

Building the foundation, creating rhythm, and cultivating relationships.

February 24, 2024

Session II:

 

Presentation on Breathing, part II
with Karen Atkinson and Sven Saar

 

Form Drawing
with Nikki Shoneman

 

Developing dialogue, honing perceptions, fostering ongoing relationships.

March 9, 2024

Session III:

 

Group Work and Individual Meetings
with Karen Atkinson, David Barham, and Jason Child

 

Undertaking case studies, observations, record keeping, and forming dialogue designed to support and inspire.

April 13, 2024

Session IV:

 

Presentation on Warming
with Karen Atkinson and Sven Saar

 

Form Drawing
with Nikki Shoneman

 

Building healthy adaptation to the environment, increased self-regulation, independence, cultivating an atmosphere of warmth and interest.

May 11, 2023

Session V:

 

Presentation on Nourishing
with Karen Atkinson and Sarah Nelson

 

Artistic Engagement
with Adrienne Patrick

 

Providing practical substance and supporting transformation. Meditation and spiritual practice.

June 30 – July 5, 2024

Sessions VI, VII, and VIII:

 

New England Residency, High Mowing School in Wilton, NH

Presentation, Workshop, and Artistic Engagement on Secreting, Maintaining, and Growing
with Martina and Eric Müller

 

Organizing, sorting, assimilating, and eliminating what has been taken in. Preserving and reintegrating, focusing on healthy habits through repetition. Identifying what the future needs, allowing forces of growth to expand and consolidate.

September 28, 2024

Session IX:

 

Group Work and Individual Meetings
with Karen Atkinson, David Barham, and Jason Child

 

Undertaking case studies, observations, record keeping, and forming dialogue designed to support and inspire.

October 26, 2024

Session X:

 

Presentation on Producing and Reproducing
with Karen Atkinson and Carol Bärtges

 

Eurythmy
with Alexandra Spadea

 

Bringing it all together and enabling possibilities. Creating substances that are free for future growth. Generating and integrating new things into the world.

November 16, 2024

Session XI:

 

Presentations by Participants and Program Conclusion
with Karen Atkinson and Torin Finser

Click the program flier below to download it.

Independent Project

Participants in the program will actively engage in mentoring, as well as keep a journal noting meeting sessions, observations, dialog, and lessons learned, using AWSNA’s Field Guide to Mentoring. Individual sessions for each participant will be included.

Tuition

Tuition for the 10-month program is $2,500 and includes all online workshops, a week-
long in-person intensive, plus individual guiding sessions throughout the program. (Tuition
excludes travel / lodging for the in-person residency).

Enrollment

Given the high demand for this specialized professional development course and its
interactive nature, enrollment places will be limited. Apply now to secure your spot!

Other Notes

  • Registration deadline – January 12, 2024
  • Financial Aid – Limited scholarships available, please contact program director using the contact form below.
  • Cancellations – Requests received at least 30 days before the registration deadline will result in a full refund, less $75 cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted if cancellation is received within 30 days of the program start date or while in session.