Written by Karen Atkinson

Mentoring in Waldorf education is a profoundly transformative practice, enabling experienced educators to share the wisdom and insights gained through years of teaching while fostering fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation with their mentees. By stepping into this role, mentors become vital guides for developing teachers, helping them navigate their professional journeys and deepening their connection to the principles of Waldorf education.

The Mentor Training Program at Center for Anthroposophy is a certificate-earning initiative tailored for seasoned educators who wish to refine their skills as pedagogical mentors, on-the-ground coaches, and professional evaluators. This program equips participants to offer mentorship within their schools and to a broader network of schools, addressing the evolving needs of educators and the cultural shifts in Waldorf teaching today.

Emerging from a collaborative research project informed by over 100 interviews, this program responds to the growing demand for structured, effective mentoring. Its goals include clarifying the distinctions between mentoring, coaching, evaluation, and pedagogical inspiration while considering the financial and human resource challenges faced by schools.

Program Highlights:

The Mentor Training Program blends virtual learning with a week-long in-person summer residency, offering a flexible, low-residency model that builds both skills and community. Spanning ten months, the program serves educators across early childhood, grades, high school, and special subjects, making it accessible to teachers, pedagogical leaders, and organization leaders alike.

Participants engage in a collaborative learning process that covers:

• Best practices in mentoring and coaching.
• Techniques for fostering professional growth in teachers.
• Strategies to support the social, emotional, and instructional needs of today’s classrooms.
• Pedagogical leadership development within school communities.

Impact on Schools and Educators:

By investing in mentoring, schools create a culture of collaboration and professional growth that benefits not only individual teachers but the entire community. The program helps schools:

• Build thriving faculty through effective, relationship-based mentoring.
• Develop cost-effective internal mentoring systems that enhance teacher retention and success.
• Enrich school culture with innovative practices and shared wisdom from trained mentors.

A Global Community of Mentors:

In November 2024, 40 educators from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Cambodia completed this program, bringing their enhanced skills back to their schools. The second cycle began in January 2025, offering new participants the chance to join this growing community of skilled mentors.

This program is ideal for:

• Experienced Waldorf educators eager to refine their mentoring practices.
• Pedagogical leaders seeking tools to support their colleagues.
• Teachers ready to step into leadership roles and contribute to the future of Waldorf education.

Shaping the Future Together:

Mentoring is not merely about guiding colleagues – it is about shaping the future of Waldorf education. Trained mentors empower teachers to meet the complexities of today’s classrooms with confidence and creativity. By participating in this program, educators strengthen their skills and contribute to the collective growth of the Waldorf movement, ensuring its mission thrives in the future.

Embark on this transformative journey to support your colleagues, your school, and the vibrant legacy of Waldorf education.

For more information, contact Karen Atkinson, Director of Mentor Training.

karen@centerforanthroposophy.org

Center for Anthroposophy Mentor Training

“The mentoring training program has been a wonderful opportunity for growth and exploration. It blends thorough, well-balanced content with interactive sessions alongside experienced colleagues. I have been seeking the next step to support Waldorf education, and I have found it. This program has been the perfect balance of practical education and soul-nourishing learning.”