Bonnie's Corner: Waldorf Core Principle #3
The Core Principles of Waldorf Education were first written by the Pedagogical Council of Waldorf Education in or around 2000. Ida Oberman Ph.D., founder of the Public Waldorf School in Oakland, CA. and a Waldorf Graduate herself completed her doctorate at Stanford University. She became a key researcher of Waldorf Education, and has published much on the movement. In 1997, she presented a research paper to the American Educational Research Association entitled Waldorf History: Case Study in Institutional Memory. In this paper, Oberman identifies key markers (semiotic representations, such as, celebrations, festivals, curricular events) that serve to establish the identity of Waldorf Education. She called these a “memory map”. She traced many aspects of the current Waldorf Schools to their inception at the first Waldorf School in 1918.
While all Waldorf Schools partake in events and celebrations, as they have evolved into the 21st century. Some aspects, while sharing a same historical root with the original Waldorf School, have taken on variations to reflect the community, country and people that foster a unique school.
The founding group of Tahoe School has sought to define it’s own traditions, and create a ‘memory map’ of its unique character. The focus upon the “The Three Pillars” of Eco-literacy, Social-literacy (Compassionate Campus), and Digital-Literacy (Cyber-Ethics) was firmly planted by this group. Tnhus, Tahoe School’s way of focusing on the Core Principles of Waldorf Education carries it’s own unique qualities.
THE THIRD CORE PRINCIPLE OF THE ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC WALDORF EDUCATION
The Third Core Principal of Waldorf Public Education points to the importance of Social Change through practices of a Waldorf School. The Alliance document reads:
3. Social Change Through Education:
Public Waldorf education exists to serve both the individual and society.
Public Waldorf education seeks to offer the most supportive conditions possible for the development of each student’s unique capacities and for engendering the following qualities to work towards positive social change:
o A harmonious relationship between thinking, feeling, and willing.
o Self-awareness and social competence;
o Developmentally appropriate, academically informed, independent thinking;
o The initiative and confidence necessary to transform intentions into realities; and
o An interest in the world, with active respect and a feeling of responsibility for oneself, one’s community, and the environment.
Such individuals will be able to participate meaningfully in society.
When I reflect upon the above writing, I cannot help but think of the wonderful teaching staff of Tahoe School. This is a group that is dedicated to modeling healthy social working. They strive to actualize behaviors that build trust and a sense of well-being. They know how to foster each child’s ability to maintain autonomy of thinking. Lessons are given, followed by questions, not formulaic answers to life’s riddles, but questions to leave the thinker to ponder. This is very unique to Waldorf Education… not what you need to know, but how you need to think.
Another unique aspect to Tahoe School is the Compassionate Campus Project. In this on-going work-in-progress, the oldest class is learning to be leaders in their school. They perform skits and strive to be models for the younger children. The Code of Nobility reigns strongly in every aspect of the social life of the school. In another writing, I’ll speak more about this program and how it addresses this Third Core Principle of Waldorf Education.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT WALDORF?
Join Bonnie once per month in April, May and June for a study and conversation about this educational system. (Zoom-based 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of the month). Contact Bonnie for more information.
DO YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER? MAYBE CONSIDER WALDORF-TEACHING?
Join into Waldorf 101, an introduction to the philosophical and historical roots of Waldorf Education. Topics such as Child Development, Human Consciousness, Inner-meditative practices of a Waldorf Teacher will be explored. If you want to seriously study, contact Bonnie. She is starting an introductory workshop course on Waldorf Education here in Truckee.