Alliance e-News

Dear Colleagues,

From the dawn of history, human beings have used story to pass on wisdom and knowledge. Through this remarkable medium, children have been taught what it means to be a human being. The elders passed on the stories they had been told, including myths that spoke of how things came to be and why things are the way they are. They taught the wisdom of the earth and the mysteries of the heavens. Through story, children learned right from wrong; they absorbed the values of their culture; they learned how to behave with others; and how to survive and thrive. We can imagine storytelling happening as people gathered around a fire or in other settings across the earth and throughout time. Children and adults alike were taught, delighted, intrigued, filled with wonder and anticipation, deeply nourished, and satisfied through the power of storytelling and the oral tradition.

The power and humanness of story has not lessened today. Recognizing its importance, storytelling is a core practice and primary tool of Waldorf education, an approach and practice that reaches far beyond simple methods. As you know, storytelling is the primary theme of our January conference. We chose this emphasis for a number of important reasons. First, in recognition of the importance and enrichment of stories for all children (and adults) and out of concern that we are not seeing storytelling in classrooms as often as we once did. We hope to emphasize its central role by having all of us experience the power, beauty, and building of connections that happens when we share a story. We plan to model and empower the storyteller within each one of us. I recall from my earliest years in front of students that storytelling brings vulnerability: there is nothing between us, no book, no screen, just the words I am speaking, the inner pictures those words are creating, and a particular type of intimacy that creates. Storytelling felt insecure and vulnerable at first (and I was not very good at it as I began!), yet I soon saw the impact on the students, the looks on their faces as they reacted and anticipated, the mood in the room. I practiced, received some good guidance, and improved. I discovered that “everyday” stories about little events in my life or what I had seen on my way to school were of great interest to my students and really helpful in building my relationship with them. I also quickly saw that stories are a powerful pedagogical tool, supporting classroom management and addressing individual student and interpersonal challenges - the “pedagogical story”. Of course, stories were also my platform for delivering curriculum content and providing an anchor for academic work and skill-building - it is amazing what we can recall from stories.

Second, in addition to these important, perhaps essential, pedagogical applications, we are focusing on the power of story to deepen and support our understanding of our Core Principles. How, you might well ask? Here are a couple of examples of what I am confident we will experience. Our two keynote presenters, Baba the Storyteller and Anjum Mir, will approach storytelling through their unique lens and experience. We will engage with them in a deeper understanding of an image of the human being, of human development, of the purpose of education, of access and diversity (whose stories are we telling in class? Who is the storyteller?), and of wise and collaborative leadership. Through shared stories, we will learn and be enriched together. And, at its heart, our conference will hold us in relationship and will build community and connection. There we have it - all seven Principles will be woven together and we and our schools will benefit.

Our goal is to connect, enrich, deepen our understanding, teach, and nourish - plus provide some new, practical tools to take back to the classroom. Why the theme of the story? Because we are all storytellers and we and our students and communities need and deserve the power of story today.

We very much hope to see you in Los Angeles in January - don’t miss the chance to share this experience!

Warmly,

Liz Beaven

Executive Director

Annual Alliance Conference

In-Person Just in Time Register Here

Keynote Presenters

Anjum Mir

For over 20 years, Anjum Mir has supported parents in establishing healthy home rhythms as a parent and child teacher and educational consultant. Her teaching experience has taken her from public and private schools to Waldorf Education, which she discovered while looking for an educational system that honored the development and spiritual well-being of her first child. A mother of four, she is currently School Co- coordinator at Westside Waldorf School in Los Angeles. She is on the board of WECAN and several other education-focused organizations and is involved in teacher education and training. She has worked intimately with over 500 families helping them facilitate space for children to unfold in their development. Anjum draws from her work with Pikler, Waldorf methods, meditation, non-violent communication, Positive Discipline, and her own spiritual path to support families and teachers.

https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/about-wecan/about-us/

Baba the Storyteller

Baba has been a professional speaker since 1994 and is one of the few recognized U.S. born practitioners of the ancient West African storytelling craft known as Jaliyaa. He has received numerous awards over the years for his work as a folklorist, traditional harpist, storyteller, community activist and volunteer. Baba has presented in thousands of schools and other institutions all across the world, including Waldorf schools and conferences. He presents deep truths about being human and our ask as educators through engaged and engaging storytelling.

https://babathestoryteller.com/home/about-baba/

In-Person Conference Workshops

Thematic:

Two days of immersive, thematic workshops designed to deepen your knowledge and practice.

Thematic Workshops

Arts, Crafts, and Movement :

Experience two different artistic workshops designed to spark your creativity and foster connection through hands-on doing.

Artistic Workshops

Virtual Alliance Conference

Virtual Early Bird Registration

Now Open!

Virtual Register Here

The virtual conference will largely parallel the in-person event.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Professional Development and Teacher Preparation

A listing by the Alliance is for information only and does not imply recommendation or endorsement. We encourage school leaders and teachers to fully research offerings before enrollment to ensure they align with their goals and needs. We recommend that you research familiarity with the unique needs and demands of Public Waldorf education. This is particularly important if public funds are used for professional development or teacher preparation.

Upcoming Professional Development

and Teacher Preparation

Kairos Institute- Healing in a World of Need

Dec. 2024 - Spring 2025 offerings: Online and In-Person

https://centerforanthroposophy.org/programs/kairos-institute/kairos-institute-emergency-pedagogy/

Center for Anthroposophy- Starlight Rays in Darkened Times: Seminars on Contemporary Topics

Dec. 2024-Feb. 2025 offerings: Online, Saturdays 3-4:30 pm ET

centerforanthroposophy.org/starlight/

Leading with Spirit: Training programs: The Art of Administration, Prepared to Serve, and The River Raft and You

Winter -Spring 2025 offerings: Online

leadingwithspirit.org/

Sunbridge Institute - Demystifying Class Plays: Middle School and High School Pedagogical Theatre

Dec. 14, 2024: Online

demystifying-class-plays-middle-school-and-high-school-pedagogical-theatre

Woodland Star Charter School: Parent Education Series

Jan. 2025-March 2025 offerings: In-Person, Glen Ellen, CA

https://conta.cc/3Z96fFw

WECAN - Parent and Caregiver Events

Jan. 8, 2025, Online- Creating Your Family Culture

Jan. 2025-May 2025, Online

https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/news-and-events/

Waldorf Handwork Educators: International Handwork Teacher Development Programs

Jan. 2025: 2-year program: Synchronous Program, Online (live attendance)

Jan. 2025: 2-year program: Hybrid Program, Online (video recordings & live discussions)

waldorfhandwork.org/teacher-development

Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training:

Storytelling as a Healing Art Strengthening Your Authentic Voice: Jan. 11 & 25, 2025: In-Person, El Sobrante, CA
Speaking Your Way to Health Speech Workshop. Feb 8, 2025: In-Person, El Sobrante, CA

https://mailchi.mp/bacwtt/new-workshops-for-2025

Center for Anthroposophy- Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program

Class of 2027 enrolls this summer, July 2025. Online & In-Person

https://centerforanthroposophy.org/programs/waldorf-high-school-teacher-education/whistep/

Gradalis Understanding Waldorf Education (UWE) Program

Sept. 2025-April 2026: Online

gradalis.edu/uwe-mentorship,/