A Waldorf Journey Podcast
A Waldorf Journey is a blog and podcast started by a trained and experienced Waldorf teacher who is passionate about sharing what she has learned on the journey. Stay tuned for interviews, resource recommendations, tips and suggestions for making your Waldorf journey an incredible, life-giving experience.
Episodes
In this episode, I’m diving into what it really takes to start the year strong in first grade. This is such a tender, transformative time—children are stepping out of the warm, dreamy world of early childhood and into something more structured, more purposeful. And they’re looking to you for clarity, confidence, and rhythm.
First grade is when we really begin to form the class, and the habits we establish early on can shape the whol...
What does it really mean to create a Waldorf-inspired home? In this episode, I share what first drew me to the peaceful beauty of Waldorf living—and the moments when it felt completely out of reach. From the temptation to chase the aesthetic to the deeper values that truly make a Waldorf home, we’ll explore how rhythm, simplicity, and presence matter more than wooden toys and silks.
We’ll talk about:
- The heart of a Waldorf home: ...
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I explore the unique approach to teaching natural sciences in a Waldorf classroom, with a particular focus on physiology and anatomy in the seventh and eighth grades. I discuss how Waldorf education brings warmth, storytelling, and experiential learning to these subjects, fostering a deep and lasting connection rather than just rote memorization.
Topics Covered:
🦴 The importance of warming the s...
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I welcome my colleague Laura Elmore for a deep dive into one of the most cherished Waldorf traditions—the class play. With decades of experience in Waldorf education, Laura shares her insights into why class plays are such an integral part of the curriculum, how they evolve from the early grades to middle school, and the pedagogical purpose behind them.
Looking for a play to perform wi...
In this episode, I take a moment to share a personal story about my decision to leave teaching and the journey that followed. Teaching, especially in a Waldorf school, is a deeply fulfilling experience—but it also comes with its challenges. I reflect on the thoughts that led to my transition, from the pressures of the classroom to the realization that I needed a more sustainable and financially secure path forward.
What You'll ...
Welcome to A Waldorf Journey! Let's explore the artistic tools that shape a Waldorf classroom, from beeswax crayons to colored pencils, and why these choices matter for child development.
🔹 Beeswax Crayons – Supporting grip strength, movement, and blending colors for a sensory-rich experience.
🔹 Why No Graphite Pencils? – Encouraging openness and self-expression rather than rigid precision.
🔹 Markers vs. Na...
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I dive into the essential role of mentorship in supporting Waldorf teachers.
Join me as I explore the benefits and challenges of mentorship in Waldorf schools, from the common practice of pairing new teachers with experienced colleagues to the advantages of working with an external mentor. I discuss the importance of confidentiality in the mentor-mentee relationship, the power of self-reflection...
Prefer to watch this on YouTube? Check it out here!
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I take a deep dive into one of the most inspiring aspects of Waldorf education: the transition from teaching mythology to history through the grades.
Join me as I explore how this unique approach supports child development, nurturing imagination in the younger grades and fostering analytical thinking in later years. From fairy tales in...
These days my inbox is filled with two kinds of questions.
- Can you give me some advice for writing end-of-year reports?
- Do you have suggestions for making summer planning easier?
Luckily, I have thoughts on both of those topics. You can find lots of information about them both on the blog. But I mention this just because it points out the dilemma that teachers face right now.
The blog post for this episode.
Waldo...
In this episode, I take a look at the Waldorf traditions and ceremonies that mark students' development and transitions. Waldorf is really good at marking time in this way and it's one of the things many of us really love about Waldorf Education.
The blog post for this episode.
Waldorf at Work: My super-practical, actionable Substack newsletter.
Email me about summer mentoring.
Interested in my S...
Interested in following me on my new adventure? You can subscribe at:
waldorfatwork.substack.com
Also in this episode, I talk about the question I hate most: "Am I Waldorf enough?" I talk through the assumptions that are embedded in this question and some of the reasons why they are completely misguided.
Because, newsflash, Waldorf is not about playing the flute, singing songs, or spending lots of ti...
How do you demonstrate your commitment to learning and growing? What mistakes have you made recently? How do you show others that it's okay to make mistakes? And how do you make sure you're REALLY okay with making mistakes?
Finding these answers has been a big part of my work recently, and my own path as a learning, growing human being -- even as a grown-up. It's also the topic of my new project Evolving Pig...
A brand new episode catching you up on why I left teaching and what I'm doing now.
Mentioned in this episode
My website, A Waldorf Journey
Blog post about my decision to leave teaching
Blog post about telling my students
A post about walking the growth mindset talk
My new project, Evolving Pigeon, for adult fans of the growth mindset
The Practical Art of the Waldorf Classroom
My other ...
Recently I was working with some teachers who are getting ready to teach 7th grade and we were talking about the creative writing block most often called Wish, Wonder and Surprise. We had a conversation about each one of these gestures and what makes them different from each other. And we talked about how to have this conversation with students.
Wish
Wish is pretty clear. When I taught 7th grade, the students and I talked about the d...
It’s August, so I’m headlong in planning mode. And though there are many things competing for my time these days, working on my planning is one the tasks that I actually look forward to every day.
It’s also the one thing that teachers ask me for the most help with. I feel lucky that planning is something that I enjoy so much, and it definitely makes a difference in my classroom. I start the year feeling prepared. I head into every ...
Register for my summer productivity course.
My history as a middle school teacher
How our work will change
What we’re doing to set a solid framework
Building Habits
- homework
- Finishing their work
- Engaging with our lessons
- General classroom behavior
Building a Culture of Caring
- we’re good people and we’re working together
- we’re on the same team
- building up an image of each individual as a caring individual
- building an image...
Join me as I make my way through The Growth Mindset Coach — a month-by-month guide for teachers. Each month I’ll record an episode about it and I’d love to hear what you think!
In this episode . . .
Join me as I make my way through The Growth Mindset Coach -- a month-by-month guide for teachers. Each month I'll record an episode about it and I'd love to hear what you think!
In this episode . . .
- Skillshare (my affiliate link)
- my curriculum guides
- The Growth Mindset Coach by Annie Brock and Heather Hundley
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
Teacher feedback stems
- I noticed how
- Look a...
Promos
Audible -- Get your free trial by hitting my link.
Skillshare -- I'm loving Skillshare. Free 14 day trial with my link.
My curriculum guides -- I've got a guide that will help you teach and give you just the amount of help that you need.
Things I Talked About This Week
- My bio
- structure and systems in the classroom
- mentorship and evaluation
- my Practical Art of the Waldorf Classroom course
- the imp...
Promos
Audible -- Get your free trial by hitting my link.
Skillshare -- I'm loving Skillshare. Free 14 day trial with my link.
My curriculum guides -- I've got a guide that will help you teach and give you just the amount of help that you need.
Content
Things that made me happy in 2020.
- Creating and Enjoying a Life I Love
- Being Productive
- Atomic Habits
- Change
- New Ideas
Stuff Mentioned
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