Foundation Year/Teacher Training
The Foundation Year provides a journey of self-discovery and renewal for those who desire to deepen their artistic sensibility and expression alongside a study of anthroposophy. This course forms a foundation for further anthroposophical work as well as Waldorf teaching. To hear students’ experience of the program, click here.
The Foundation Year is a considered the first year of teacher training because the creativity and understanding that it awakens and supports is considered indispensable to becoming a teacher. The Teacher Training continues on for two additional years and prepares students drawn by their love for children to enter a Waldorf classroom with experience and confidence.
The teacher training is a journey of self-discovery for those with a love of children and a desire to serve children and families as a Waldorf teacher. Sound Circle Teacher Training is a three-year, part-time course that prepares students to enter a Waldorf classroom with experience and confidence.
Here is what former some Foundation Year students had to say about their experience of the program:
“From the year’s experience a new and exciting dimension has been added to my life. The Foundation year has given me a basic understanding of Waldorf Education and Anthroposophy. The ideas presented in the lectures, group study, creative writing, painting, etc. have made a deep impact on my spiritual life. Some of the essential teachings that I have learned in the Foundation year are:
-Maria Jimenez, SCC Foundation Year 2006-2007
- The importance of living in the present moment, balancing the mind, heart and body.
- The powerful benefits of objective observation.
- The benefits of participating in life rhythms and cycles.
- Developing awareness of my inner self to bring positivity into the class.
- Keeping in mind the bigger picture of life.
- How everyone’s spiritual path is very personal as we find our unique destiny.”
“What stands out for me about Foundation year is the strong community I feel with my fellow students. It feels like a family—not easy or perfect or warm and fuzzy, but as if we are rubbing each other smooth, and with love. I have learned so much and grown so much by knowing these women and also we have witnessed each others’ growing through the curriculum.” -Rachel Castor, SCC Foundation Year 2006-2007
Schedule, Tuition, and Application:
The days and times of classes in 2008-2009 will be 32 Fridays from 2:00 to 9:15 p.m. and 26 Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuition is $6000 for 2008-2009. However, it may be necessary to increase tuition a modest amount in the second or third year. Request more information or an application by sending an e-mail to Sound Circle
Curriculum:
I. FIRST YEAR: Foundation Year in Arts and Anthroposophy
The Foundation Year unlocks the creative process in every student through artistic work and brings understanding of the basics of anthroposophy through lectures and study groups. We emphasize social processes and mutual understanding through active, compassionate listening and speaking. The following subjects are covered:
- An introduction to the life and work of Rudolf Steiner
- An introduction to basic principles of anthroposophy
- Cosmic and human history
- Evolution of Consciousness
- Constitution of the human being
- Cycles of life in biography
- Karma and reincarnation
- Esoteric Christology
- The healing impulse
- Social questions and the 3-fold nature of social life
- Artistic work (eurythmy, singing and music, black & white drawing, crafts, form drawing, clay modeling, wet-on-wet painting, Spacial Dynamics, speech & drama, storytelling and creative writing)
- Study of basic texts
- Inner work/meditation
- Group work (biography, social games, etc.)
- An introduction to Waldorf elementary education
- Nature study and festivals
- An introduction to early childhood development
- Three observations in a Waldorf classroom
- Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture
II. SECOND YEAR: Teacher Training
The second year is dedicated to the study of child development that forms the basis of Waldorf education. The focus is on early childhood and elementary (grades 1-8) education. An introduction to Waldorf high school education is included. The anthroposophical picture of child development helps to inform the "why" of the Waldorf curriculum: why certain subjects are brought to the children at various stages of their development and why we bring those experiences to the children in a certain mode and manner. In having a strong sense of the developing child, we can be truly creative in working and developing Waldorf curriculum.
A week-long summer intensive after the Foundation Year is considered the beginning of the second year. To support this understanding of child development the 2nd year includes:
- Immersion in the life of early childhood and the grade school
- Curriculum studies
- Rudolf Steiner’s "Study of Man" and other anthroposophical/pedagogical texts
- Continued work in the arts (eurythmy, visual arts, speech, form drawing, woodwork, handwork, Spacial Dynamics, music, storytelling, creative writing, and sculpting)
- Group work exploring forms that encourage healthy meetings
- Continued anthroposophical inner, meditative work
- A biography project and presentation
- Two observations in Waldorf schools
- A three-week practicum in a Waldorf classroom
- Presentations by guests working in the educational realm
- Biodynamics
It is of utmost importance to us that all teachers receive an understanding of the developing child in its entirety, regardless of whether the teacher later chooses to work in early childhood or elementary education. The choice to focus on either early childhood or elementary education is initially made after Winter break.
III. THIRD YEAR: Teacher Training
Having chosen a focus in either early childhood or grade school education, students will find that the third year focuses on how to work with the children, parents, and colleagues in a Waldorf school. The transformative path of a teacher calls upon inner and outer skills. The work of the third year serves to develop these practical skills so that students can “imbue themselves with imagination, have courage for the truth and sharpen their feeling for responsibility of soul.” (Rudolf Steiner) 
A two-week, full-time intensive in the summer between the second and third years is required before formally beginning the third year. To support the development of the teacher, the third year includes:
- Continued study of curriculum, with a focus on methodology
- A four-week practicum at a Waldorf school
- Rudolf Steiner’s educational lectures and other anthroposophical/pedagogical texts.
- Continued work in the arts (eurythmy, visual arts, speech, form drawing, woodwork, handwork, Spacial Dynamics, music, storytelling, creative writing, sculpting, seasonal crafts, blackboard drawing, drama, classroom games and dancing)
- Presentations by faculty and guests on selected themes concerning the teacher’s work beyond the classroom: education, life and structure of a Waldorf school, administrative and financial issues, gender/racial bias in a multicultural society.
- A research project and presentation
- An observation in a non-Waldorf educational setting
- Biodynamic field trip
