Student Catalog

Teacher Training Program

This page provides information in a format required by the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to qualify Sound Circle Center as a legitimate provider of vocational training in Washington State.

Sound Circle Center (SCC), a non-profit corporation registered in the State of Washington, offers a Waldorf Teacher Training Program. This program is licensed by the State of Washington through the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WSWTECB). This Catalog follows the guidelines provided by the WSWTECB.

Owners, Personnel, And Licensure

Administrator: Kimberley Hiner

Governing Board: The Directors of the Corporation: Dave Wakeley, Diann Shope, Martha Collins, Tracy Bennett, Jim Krantz, and Cathy Buller. The Board members are named and bios provided under the Board section of the website. (current as of 3/17/16)

Sound Circle Center

PO Box 15279

Seattle, WA 98115

206-925-9199

Sound Circle has an office space located at 2728 NE 100th St., Seattle, Washington 98125. Sound Circle does not own a building of its own.

Instructors and their qualifications may be viewed on the Faculty section of the website.

This school is licensed under Chapter 28C.10RCW. Inquiries or complaints regarding this school may be made to:

Workforce Training And Education Coordinating Board

128 10th Avenue Southwest

Olympia, Washington 98504

360-753-5662

Wtecb@Wtb.Wa.Gov

Accreditation

Standards for Waldorf Teacher Training Institutes are maintained by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). Sound Circle is a fully accredited member of AWSNA.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Sound Circle Center does not discriminate against students or potential students on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

Accommodation of Disability

Sound Circle Center acknowledges that information pertaining an applicant’s disability is voluntary and confidential. It is up to the individual applicant to make her/his need for an accommodation known in writing during the application process and verbally in the personal interview. If this information is presented, Sound Circle Center will reasonably attempt to provide an accommodation to overcome the effects of the limitation of the qualified applicant.

School Calendar And Class Schedule

The days and times of classes in 2016-2017 will be approximately 30 Fridays from 4:00 p.m to 8:30 p.m. and 30 Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m or 3:15 p.m.

The program consists of two academic years (September through May) of part-time work and two summer intensives (two weeks preceding the first year and two weeks preceding the second year). The hours required of participants increase each year, primarily through additional hours of classroom observation and practice teaching.

Program Description

See the Program description on the website.

Facilities

Sound Circle Center (SCC) conducts its programs in rented facilities, usually in Waldorf schools, in order for our students to experience the type of space in which they will be working as Waldorf teachers. When school space is not available, we may rent space in a church or other building convenient for the faculty and students. Facilities are ADA accessible and parking is available.

The class size is usually not more than 20, and is often broken down into smaller groups for special topics.

Entrance Requirements

A bachelor's degree is desired, but not required.
A high school diploma or GED is required.
Successful completion of Foundation Studies is required. Foundation Studies may be completed at Sound Circle Center or any AWSNA-accredited institute.

A Practical Guide For Students

The SCC Teacher Training Program has developed a Practical Guide for Students. This document covers many of the topics required in this catalog by the WSWTECB, and is included below.

1. Before a course begins, please familiarize yourself with the Course Descriptions for that course, which you can access through the Sound Circle Website. This will orient you to the goals, contents and requirements for the course. You will also receive, a list of required books which need to be read before and during the course. Instructors may recommend reading additional course work.

2. Please be prompt to class, perhaps even a few minutes early. Promptness is a form of respect and politeness to your classmates and the instructor.

3. Take notes in class and organize them in a folder at home; they will be helpful to you in your future.

4. If you know that you will be absent for a class, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor, get notes from a classmate and ask the instructor if there is any work which you need to make up.

5. In order to complete this course of study, assignments need to be completed and handed to your instructor by the set deadline. We expect assigned work to be completed on time unless you have made previous arrangements with the instructor. Assignments must be typed and signed by the student.

6. We consider “End of Term Reflections/End of Year Reflections” (Foundation Studies) and “Statements of Learning” (Teacher Training) to be required assignments. They need to be completed in order for you to get credit for those courses.

7. Successful competition of either Foundation Studies and/or Teacher Training require that you are present for at least 80% of the classes in the following categories: Anthroposophy and Inner work, Language Arts, Visual Arts, Musical Arts, Practical Arts, Movement Arts, Festivals, Child Development & Fundamentals, Curriculum and Research. If your attendance is less than 80%, you will need to complete make up work assigned to you by the instructor of that class. If your attendance is less than 50%, you will be required to repeat the class when it is offered again.

8. We need to know that all the students who graduate from SCC have competent language skills(spelling, grammar, syntax). If it becomes clear that you need support in this realm, we will let you know and you will be required to seek help to improve those skills.

9. We need to know that all the grade school students who graduate from SCC have competent mathematical skills. If it becomes clear that you need support in this realm, we will let you know and you will be required to seek help to improve those skills.

10. Music notation is introduced in the first year of Teacher Training. We expect that all students will be able to read music (in order to learn songs from written music) by the beginning of the 2nd year of training. It is the student’s responsibility to seek assistance, if that is necessary in achieving this goal. It is also expected that, by the beginning of the 2nd year of training, the student will have chosen an instrument for their personal practice of songs.

11. Sound Circle Center expects professionalism in all manners of behavior and attire at all times from both students and faculty.

Attendance Requirements – See Practical Guide

Leave Of Absence And Re-Admission

The granting of a leave of absence or re-admission is determined on a case by case basis after a conversation between a student and the appropriate faculty Program Director. Notes describing the agreement are put in the student's files.

Credit For Previous Training

Credit for previous training is decided on a case by case basis between students and the appropriate faculty Program Director.

Make-Up Work – See Practical Guide

Tardiness/Promptness – See Practical Guide

Code Of Conduct And Conditions Of Dismissal

A student may be expelled from the program for the following reasons:

Repeated behavior that is disruptive to the conducting of classes
Failure to attend classes
Sexual or physical assault
Inability to continue the course of study
Failure to pay tuition
Actions egregiously hostile to the interests of SCC

Student Complaint/Appeal Process

If difficulties arise in a relationship between a student and teacher, the first step is for the student to speak or write to the teacher (or vice versa) and to attempt to resolve the issue by direct communication.

If this is not successful, the next step is for the student or teacher to speak with his or her program director. If the program director is not able to mediate the situation, then a formal resolution process may be initiated.

The goal of this resolution process is to allow the concerns to be fully explored and the best possible solution for both parties to be reached. Either party or a program coordinator may initiate this process. The steps are as follows:

A resolution group will be formed, including a witness of choice for each party and an independent facilitator (to be agreed upon by both parties).
The formation of the group and the setting up of the meetings will be the responsibility of the program director or the faculty chair, if the program director is one of the parties.
The group will schedule three meetings of the resolution group and the two parties.
The purpose of the first meeting is to create a space in which parties can share their perceptions, feelings and concerns, and to create a plan for moving toward a solution acceptable to both parties.
The purpose of the second meeting is to evaluate the progress of the plan.
The purpose of the third meeting is to determine whether the resolution has been achieved or whether further processes are needed.
If the situation cannot be resolved through this process, the Core faculty will be ultimately responsible for a final decision and closure to the matter.

Nothing in the policy prevents the student from contacting the Workforce Board at 360-709-4600 at any time with a concern or complaint.

Standards Of Progress/Grading System

The Teacher Training Program classes have a pass/fail grading system. A student will fail a class if s/he has not abided by the requirements set out in A Practical Guide.

Credentials Issued by Sound Circle

At the successful completion of the second year, a Waldorf Teaching Certificate is awarded. Students will need to meet all their financial responsibilities before a Certificate of Completion or Graduation will be issued.

Student Evaluation Techniques

After most courses the student is given a "Statement of Learning" form to complete and return to the instructor. For most courses, the instructor then writes an Instructor's Reflections on Student Learning for each student, which serves as an evaluation of the student's participation and growth. During the courses there may be a variety of evaluative techniques. Each course description contains the evaluative method used in that particular course.

Method Used To Report Grades

The classes are all pass/fail, and credit is given only for classes in which a student passes. A Graduation certificate is awarded to those students who have satisfactorily completed the coursework, attended 80% of the classes and have no outstanding financial obligations to our institute. After each course, the student is told whether he/she has failed the course and what must be done to remedy the situation and attain a pass for that course. At the end of the year, all students are given a written report of any outstanding coursework which needs to be completed in order to receive credit for the year.

Withdrawing From School

A student may withdraw by conferring with the appropriate faculty Program Director. The reasons for the withdrawal will be noted in the student's file.

Student Records

Student records are required by the state to be kept for 50 years. Student financial records are available for review by the student from the Financial Manager upon request. Academic records are available to the student by arrangement with the Faculty. Copies of academic records may be requested from the Administrator.

Cancelation And Refund Policy

There is a $125.00 Application Fee. This fee covers SCC personnel's time for reviewing the application, an interview of approximately 30 minutes by one or more faculty members, and the Financial Manager's time to set up the appropriate records in a student file. Application fees are refundable until 5 days after the date of the signing of the student contract. Notice must be made in writing by midnight of the fifth working day after the signing of the student contract, that the student has changed her/his mind about participating in the program.
SCC will refund initial tuition deposits, if the student withdraws after his/her contract is signed, but before classes begin.
If the student withdraws during the school year, a prorated refund of prepaid tuition will be made, based on the hours of class the student has already attended. When calculating refunds, the official date of a student's termination is considered the last day of recorded attendance.
All refunds will be paid within 30 calendar days of the student's official termination date.

Tuition And Additional Costs

There is a $125.00 application fee.
Tuition for a full year's program is $7500.00. A $500 initial tuition deposit is required with the enrollment contract. Once the student begins classes, this deposit is applied against the tuition owed.
Tuition for part-time attendance will be determined on a case by case basis, depending upon the courses the student wishes to take.
Books and supplies are estimated to cost $200 per year.

Students will need to meet all their financial responsibilities before a Certificate of Completion or Graduation will be issued.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available from SCC in the form of tuition assistance (reduced tuition). Applicants fill out a form that outlines their estimated income and expense for the coming school year and submit tax information. Awards are based on need, the number of applicants and the amount of money budgeted for financial assistance. It is SCC's policy not to award more than half of the tuition amount in tuition assistance.

To our knowledge, there are no State or Federal student loan/grant programs for which SCC students are eligible. A few students have found private or family foundations which give assistance for teacher training at SCC.

Students who are performing their practicum (student teaching in Waldorf Schools) may request, if needed, a tuition reduction to cover income lost from their regular jobs while doing their practicum. Limited funds are available.

Placement Assistance

There are a number of websites advertising jobs for trained Waldorf teachers. There are far more jobs than there are trained teachers. During the course of studies, students will learn about the network of Waldorf Schools in the Region and in North America and how to access job listings. Through their practicum assignments, observation in various schools, classmates and guest lecturers from many of the schools in the area, students will develop individual networks. Graduating students will also be guided to those positions where they will have the greatest potential for success in their new careers as Certified Waldorf Teachers.

_{Revised 3/24/17 This ends the catalog for the Teacher Training Program}

_{Early Childhood In-Service Program}

STUDENT CATALOG for Early Childhood In-Service Program with Sound Circle Center for Arts and Anthroposophy: Seattle, WA

These pages provide information in a format required by the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to qualify Sound Circle Center as a legitimate provider of vocational training in Washington State.

Sound Circle Center (SCC), a non-profit corporation registered in the State of Washington, offers an Early Childhood In-Service Program (ECIS). This program is licensed by the State of Washington through the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WSWTECB). This Catalog follows the guidelines provided by the WSWTECB.

Owners, Personnel, and Licensure

Administrator: Kimberley Hiner

Governing Board: The Directors of the Corporation: Jim Krantz, Martha Collins, Tracy Bennett, Dave Wakeley, Diann Shope, and Cathy Buller. The Board members are named and bios provided under the Board section of the website www.soundcircle.org. (current as of 3/27/15)

Sound Circle Center’s mailing address is PO Box 15279 Seattle, WA 98115. Sound Circle has an office located at 2728 NE 100th St., , Seattle, Washington 98125. Sound Circle does not own a building of its own.

This school is licensed under Chapter 28C.10RCW. Inquiries or complaints regarding this school may be made to:

Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

128 10th Avenue Southwest

Olympia, Washington 98504

360-709-4600

wtecb@wtb.wa.gov

Affiliations

Guidelines for Waldorf Teacher Training Institutes are maintained by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). Sound Circle is a full member of AWSNA. Guidelines for the training Early Childhood teachers are set by the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America, of which Sound Circle is a developing member moving to full membership.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Accommodation of Disability

Instructors and their qualifications may be viewed on the Faculty section of the website.

Holly Koteen-Soule is the ECIS program designer, director and main teacher. She has an MA in Education at Antioch University in Seattle and is a graduate in the Anthroposophical Schooling Course of Emerson College in Sussex, England. Holly has been a faculty member of SCC since the year 2000. She has worked both at Seattle Waldorf School and Bright Water School (also in Seattle) for a total of 17 years. She is currently serving as Teacher Education Committee Chair for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America.

Nancy Blanning, consultant and liaison to the ECIS program, has been teaching in Waldorf settings since 1982. After 17 years in the Waldorf Preschool Kindergarten in Denver, she began to offer therapeutic support lessons for children in the Waldorf School of Denver. Her education includes a BA degree from CU Boulder in English, with teaching credentials, and four years of training in therapeutic education training. She also serves as a board member with the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) and edits the national newsletter for WECAN. Nancy has also served as a guest presenter for Sound Circle Center on numerous occasions both at our Summer Programs and during the regular Teacher Training program.

Adjunct Faculty:

Nancy Blanning; therapeutic movement, first grade readiness, child study (see above listing of qualifications)

Lisa Gromicko, instrumental and vocal music; early childhood lead teacher at Shining Mountain Waldorf School

Sylvia Nordof, eurythmy; Eurythmy teacher at Denver Waldorf School

Lynn St. Pierre, rhythmic circles and hand gesture games; retired nursery teacher and trainer of hand gestures games of Wilma Ellersiek

Daniel Stokes, artistic speech and storytelling. Highland Hall, and Antioch NH

This school is licensed under Chapter 28C.10RCW. Inquiries or complaints regarding this school may be made to:

Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

128 10th Avenue Southwest

Olympia, Washington 98504

360-709-4600

wtecb@wtb.wa.gov

Affiliations: Guidelines for Waldorf Teacher Training Institutes are maintained by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). Sound Circle is a full member of AWSNA. Guidelines for the training Early Childhood teachers are set by the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America, of which Sound Circle is a developing member moving to full membership.

School Calendar and Class Schedule

The days and times of classes in the 2016-2017 ECIS program are attendance at each of Sound Circle’s two-week annual Summer Intensives during June/July of 2015, 2016 and 2017. There are 35 classroom hours for each summer for a total of 210 hours of instruction. In addition, attendance is required one weekend a month for the 10 month periods of Sept. 2015 – June 2016 and Sept. 2016 – June of 2017. The September through June sessions total 100 hours for each of the two years. The total is 410 contact hours for each student.

Program Description

The Early Childhood In-Service program (ECIS) is designed for students already working in the classroom or who have just concluded a year or more of teaching in an early childhood setting. The program combines foundational studies, child and human development studies, artistic work, work in continuing personal growth and learning to maintain authenticity as a teacher (the inner life of the teacher). Practical aspects of Waldorf early childhood education include classroom set-up, classroom management working with the whole group as well as individual children.

Study Blocks Hours

Summer 2015 70

Anthroposophic Study, Artistic Expressions, Early Childhood Topics;

Guest speakers, network with other professionals from various regions of USA

Class Titles: September 2015 – June 2016 (Year 1)

Introduction to Anthroposophical Thought 15

Rudolf Steiner’s Life, Work and Understanding of the Human Being

Human Development and the Inner Life of the Waldorf Educator 10

Biography, Self-Reflection, and Goethean Observation

Child Development from Birth to 21 with a Focus on B-7 20

Study and Application in the Classroom

Practical Aspects of Waldorf Early Childhood Education 30

Working with Parents, Creating the Rhythm of the Day,

Singing and Music for the Y.C., Circle Time, Speech, and Story-Telling

Movement Awareness for Early Childhood Educators 10

Spatial Dynamics, Eurythmy, Posture and Presence

Working in a Waldorf School 10

Collegial Work, Meeting Life, Leadership Models

Organizational Development

Independent Research Project Preparation 5

Total Hours, Year 1 100

Summer 2016 70

Anthroposophic Study, Artistic Expressions, Early Childhood Topics;

Guest speakers, network with other professionals from various regions of USA

Class Titles: September 2016 – June 2017 (Year 2)

Child Development II 20

The Foundational Senses, Individualization, Importance of Will,

Feeling and thinking in the Y.C. Child Study

Practical Aspects II 15

Presentations by Students of Nature Stories, Circles,

Fairy Tales and Puppetry

Inner Work Exercises and Development II 10

Mood of the Fifth Music 10

Werbeck Singing Exercises, Composing in Mood of the 5^th

Kinderharp

Crafts for Early Childhood 15

Silk Dyeing, Working with Wool, Puppet Making

Deepening of the Festival Life 10

Diversity and Inclusion, Working with Seasonal Archetypes,

Exploring Rhythms and Forces of Nature

Independent Research Project Presentations 10

Marionette Performance 10

Creating marionettes, props and scenery, rehearsal and performance

Total Hours, Year 2 100

Summer 2017 70

Anthroposophic Study, Artistic Expressions, Early Childhood Topics;

Guest speakers, network with other professionals from various regions of USA

TOTAL HOURS ECIS Program 410

Facilities

Sound Circle Center (SCC) conducts its programs in rented facilities, almost exclusively in Waldorf schools. When school space is not available, we may rent space in a church or other building convenient for the students and faculty. In all cases, facilities will be ADA accessible and parking will be available.

The class size is usually not more than 20, and is often broken down into smaller groups for special topics.

Entrance Requirements

A bachelor's degree is desired, but not required. A high school diploma or GED is required. It is preferred that all applicants be currently practicing teachers in an Early Childhood Setting or have just completed a year of teaching in a Waldorf or “Waldorf-inspired” early childhood setting.

PRACTICAL GUIDE for Students

The SCC Early Childhood In-Service Program has developed a Practical Guide for Students. This document covers many of the topics required in this catalog by the WSTECB, and is included below.

Please be prompt to class, perhaps even a few minutes early. Promptness is a form of respect and politeness to your classmates and the instructor. Promptness and preparedness are two of the qualities demanded from a successful teacher.
Take notes in class and organize them at home; they will be helpful to you in your future.
If you know that you will be absent for a class, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor, get notes from a classmate and ask the instructor if there is any work which you need to make up.
In order to complete this course of study, assignments need to be completed and handed to your instructor. We expect assigned work to be completed on time unless you have made previous arrangements with the instructor. Our classes have a pass/fail grading system. A student will fail a class if the student has not abided by the requirements set out in this document.
We consider end of year reflections to be a required assignments.
In order to complete the SCC ECIS program, the student needs to be present for at least 90% of the classes for each course. This means that a student may miss no more than one weekend seminar (Sept. – June) and may be required to complete make-up work by the instructor. This also means that a student may miss one day of each summer intensive. Again, make-up work may be required.
We expect that all the students who graduate from SCC have competent language skills (spelling, grammar, syntax). If it becomes clear that the student needs support in this realm, we will let the student know that he/she will be required to seek help to improve those skills.
We expect all students to be able to read and write simple melodies.

Attendance Requirements – See Practical Guide (above)

Leave of Absence and Re-Admission

The granting of a leave of absence or re-admission is determined, on a case by case basis, after a conversation between a student and the appropriate faculty Program Director. Notes describing the agreements are put in the students' files.

Credit for Prior Training

Credit for prior training is decided on a case by case basis by the Program Director.

Make-up Work – See Practical Guide (above)

Tardiness/Promptness – See Practical Guide (above)

Code of Conduct and Conditions of Dismissal

A student may be expelled from the program for the following reasons:

Repeated behavior that is disruptive to the conducting of classes
Failure to attend classes
Inability to continue the course of study
Failure to pay tuition
Actions egregiously hostile to the interests of SCC

Student Complaint Appeal Process

Standards of Progress/Grading System

The Early Childhood In-Service Program has a pass/fail grading system. A student will pass the class if she or he has completed all of the required assignments to the satisfaction of the teacher. Refer to the Practical Guide above.

Credentials

At the successful completion of the program, a certificate of completion will be presented at a graduation ceremony.

Student Evaluation Techniques

Students will receive written or verbal feedback on their assignments. After mentoring visits in their classrooms, students with have an in-depth conversation with their mentor and the mentor will complete a written evaluation form. All written feedback will become part of the student’s file.

Method Used to Report Grades

The classes are all pass/fail, and credit is given only for classes in which a student "passes".

A Graduation Certificate is awarded only to those students who have satisfactorily completed the coursework, attended 90% of the classes and have no outstanding financial obligations to Sound Circle. Student with outstanding assignments or financial obligations will receive their certificates when those financial obligations are met.

Withdrawing from School

A student may withdraw by conferring with the Program Director. The reasons for the withdrawal will be noted in the students' file.

Student Records

Cancelation and Refund Policy

CANCELATION AND REFUND POLICY:

Application fees are refundable until midnight of the fifth working day after the student signs her/his Student Contract.

The school must refund all monies paid if the applicant is not accepted. This includes instances where a starting class is canceled by the school.
The school must refund all monies paid if the applicant cancels within five business days (excluding Sundays and holidays) after the day the contract is signed or an initial payment is made, as long as the applicant has not begun training.
The school may retain an established registration fee equal to ten percent of the total tuition cost, or one hundred dollars, whichever is less, if the applicant cancels past the fifth business day after signing the contract or making an initial payment. A registration fee is any fee charged by a school to process student applications and establish a student record system.
If training is terminated after the student enters classes, the school may retain the registration fee established under (3) of this subsection, plus a percentage of the total tuition as described in the following table:

If the student completes this amount of training:

School may keep this percentage of tuition:

One week or up to 10%, whichever is less

10%

More than one week (or 10%), whichever is less, but less than 25%

25%

25% through 50%

50%

More than 50%

100%

When calculating refunds, the official date of a student’s termination is the last day of recorded attendance:
1. When the school receives notice of the student’s intention to discontinue the training program; or,
2. When the student is terminated for a violation of a published school policy which provides for termination; or,
3. When a student, without notice, fails to attend classes for thirty calendar days.
All refunds must be paid within thirty calendar days of the student’s official termination date.

Tuition and Additional Costs

There is a $100 application fee.
Tuition for the full ECIS Program $9,000.00.
Tuition for part-time attendance is not applicable.
Books and supplies are estimated to cost $250 per year.

Students will need to meet all their financial responsibilities before a Certificate of Completion or Graduation will be issued or before a transcript of partial program work will be issued.

Financial Aid

A limited amount of financial aid is available through the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) to those students teaching in WECAN or AWSNA member schools. Applicants fill out a form that outlines their estimated income and expense for the coming school year and submit tax information. Applicants are also required to fill out the Appropriate AWSNA forms. To our knowledge, there are no State or Federal student loan/grant programs for which SCC students are eligible. A few students have found private or family foundations which give assistance for teacher training at SCC.

Placement Assistance

Since most participants will be currently practicing teachers and since their schools may well be helping to fund their participation in the ECIS program, most students will not need placement assistance.

For those who may need such assistance, there are a number of websites advertising jobs for trained Waldorf teachers. There are far more jobs than there are trained teachers. During the course of studies, students will learn about the network of Waldorf Schools in the Region and in North America and how to access job listings.