Faculty

Waldorf teachers are dedicated to awakening the highest potential in every child and generating an inner enthusiasm for learning. The teachers at the Orchard Valley Waldorf School come to us with a variety of backgrounds. Many have multiple degrees and have found their way to Waldorf education later in their careers. Waldorf teacher preparation imparts a deep understanding of the whole human being as it unfolds through the critical phases of childhood – toddler, child and teenager. All of our teachers (although not all subject teachers) have undertaken Waldorf teacher training. Waldorf teacher training is a two-year process if done full-time, three or four years if done during summer intensives. Most programs lead to a Certificate in Waldorf Education while others offer the option of earning a Master’s degree (M.S. Ed.).

“Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.”

Rudolf Steiner

The Early Education teachers typically stay as the class teacher for Nursery or Kindergarten as they prepare each group of children to begin a life-long love of learning. The Grade school teachers typically begin the journey with their 1st grade class and, ideally, may continue with the class through 8th grade. In our experience, we have found that several of our teachers choose to specialize in the early grades or middle grades. Our subject teachers specialize in the discipline that they teach. Handwork, French and Movement begin in 1st grade and continue through 8th grade. Music begins in 3rd grade and Woodworking begins in 5th grade.

All teachers in our school make a commitment to ongoing self-development. Waldorf teacher preparation stretches teachers in all directions— socially, intellectually, physically, and artistically— developing the capacities needed to inspire our students.