During the 2019-2020 school year, The Garden School teachers completed the first year foundation studies program, Explorations, which was an introductory level course in the artistic and contemplative practices of anthroposophy.

This program kicked off during their May 2019 inservice, and consisted of a series of weekend workshops throughout the year, starting Friday evening and lasting through Sunday lunchtime. These weekend classes emphasized the practical and fine arts, as they constituted the core or “hub” of this program. Led by seasoned Waldorf teachers with long experience teaching adults, these seminars explored Waldorf education through drawing, painting, metalwork, sculpture, speech, singing, as well as spatial dynamics and eurythmy. Combined with the practical and fine arts, were discussions surrounding the four temperaments, developing the will, phenomenology, as well as dynamics in team building among others.

In addition to the weekend workshops, the teachers attended monthly evening seminars (instructed by Ki Sara) exploring some of the basic texts of the anthroposophical movement, and the meditative and contemplative practices of Rudolf Steiner. The Garden School Faculty and Staff also attended monthly webinars through Antioch University, with each class focusing on a different grade and how to best see and meet a child in each year.

Often when embarking on a educational program it is something done alone, however, our faculty and staff had the rare opportunity to go through the Explorations program together. To participate and learn as a group was a truly wonderful experience, not only in terms of content learned, but also in building a strong, connected team.

Below, please find some pictures from our weekend workshops!