Grades Program
"Through study we cannot become teachers. We cannot drill others into being teachers, because each one of us is already a teacher. Every human being is a teacher but she is sleeping and must be awakened, and art is the awakener. "
- Rudolf Steiner
Help shape the second 100 years of Waldorf Education
In the heart of a Waldorf teacher lives the commitment to help each student reach his or her highest potential. Waldorf teacher preparation gives you a deep understanding of the whole human being as it unfolds through the critical phases of toddler, child and teenager - so that you can guide students on their life journey. Equally important is the Waldorf teacher's commitment to ongoing self-development. Waldorf teacher preparation stretches you in all directions - socially, intellectually, physically and artistically - to push you beyond your comfort zones and help you develop the capacities to inspire your students. The course integrates foundations studies and teacher training into one program.
SCC has developed a Grades Teacher Training program incorporating the wisdom of our 20 year history in teacher training and based on a new intensive model that is more affordable and more accessible.
Grade School Waldorf Teacher Training Program
New Cohort starting in Summer 2025
Saturday, June 28 - Friday, July 4 (6 days)
Monday, July 7 - Saturday, July 12 (6 days) in Bellingham, WA at Whatcom Hills Waldorf School.
Grades Teacher Training Principles
The path/course for our teacher development program is based on three principles
Artistic, experiential practice is the foundation of developing the new capacities we need as adults. Education at every level is an artistic, experience-based schooling of the soul.
Our development as individuals is a collaborative journey including students and faculty alike. We are all learning, growing and gaining insight together on a continuous path of development – we are never finished.
The proving ground of learning is in the classroom, where we can observe, interact and practice with mentors and peers where we can make mistakes and learn from them. We become teachers by teaching! We start with experience, reflect on it and gain insight, and try again.
Tuition
Tuition for the the twenty-six month program is split into three academic periods: the first summer (Tuition Period A), the first year and second summer (Tuition Period B), and the second year and third summer (Tuition Period C). The tuition for students joining the program for the first time in the summer of 2025 will be $18,900. Tuition includes two days of mentoring during each school year. Enrollment agreements must be signed in order for students to participate in coursework.
Tuition assistance loans are available through the Association of Waldorf Schools of North American (AWSNA). Grants are also available from AWSNA for those working in Waldorf accredited schools when the schools provide matching funds. Please see the Financial Aid page for further information on loans and grants.
Tuition Payment Schedule: Tuition for the 2025 Cohort
Period A June 2025 - August 2025 $4250 1 or 3 payments
Period B Sept 2025 - June 2026 $7150 1 or 10 payments
Period C Sept 2026 - June 2027 $7500 1 or 10 payments
Additional Costs:
Books
Travel and housing for out-of-town students
Mentor support: housing and meals
2025/26 Calendar
Monthly Friday and Saturday Classes: Fridays (4-6 pacific time) and Saturdays (9-1 pacific time)
February Session: February 16-20, 2025 in Whidbey Island, WA at the South Whidbey Community Center.
Summer Session: June 28 - Friday, July 4 (6 days), Monday, July 7 - Saturday, July 12 (6 days) in Bellingham, WA at Whatcom Hills Waldorf School.
Program Structure
First Summer (Tuition Period A)
Summer session in-person (2 weeks)
First Year and Second Summer (Tuition Period B)
Fall - Spring (online Sept-May) and February session in-person (5 days)
Regular online conferences
Observations and practicum (6 weeks)
Summer session in-person (2 weeks)
Second Year and Third Summer (Tuition Period C)
Fall - Spring (online Sept-May) and February session in-person (5 days)
Regular online conferences,
Observations and practicum (6 weeks)
Summer session in-person (2 weeks) and graduation
New Cohort starting in Summer 2025
The application deadline is June 1, 2025.
Program Overview - Three Year Course Plan
2022-23 Three Year Grades Teacher Training Rotation
Orientation Weekend for new EC and GS students (Sun-Mon)
Spatial Dynamics
Sculpture
SD 2. Working with Biographical Questions
IAT 7. New Student Orientation
Intro to Inner Work
Intro to Group Work & historical context for anthroposophy and
Waldorf education
CHD 1. Milestones in Human Development- Birth to 21
CHD 5. Overview of the Grades Curriculum
Overview of Waldorf Child Development and Curriculum
Intro to Mood of the Fifth singing & instruments
Festival experience
Summer 1- Three weeks
Principles & Practices - sharing homework
Festival prep and experience
IAT 1. Rudolf Steiner's Understanding of the Human Being and Evolution of Consciousness
SD 3. Developing Capacities for Imagination, Inspiration and Intuition
Goethean Observation
The Cycle of the Year and Seasonal Festivals w/Visual Arts
PAEC 1. Use of Stories and Fairy Tales in Waldorf EC Education
IAT 4. The Cycle of the Year and Seasonal Festivals
A 4. Visual Arts
A 1. Eurythmy
A 3. Speech and Storytelling
PSD 5. Cultural Consciousness and Social Justice
Cultural Consciousness:
1.current issues and social life in education
2. consciousness soul impulses 3. Biography, Karmic relationships and anti-bias work
Singing
Human Development in relation to education - 12 year change and high school transition
Language Arts 3 - middle school humanities
Math -Middle school: algebra, platonic solids, geometric drawing
Science PHYSICS, chemistry, nutrition, physiology, anatomy
Distance Learning 1 (yearlong weekends)
Drawing 3 : Drawing in the Main Lesson book
Understanding Anthroposophy in Education
Inner Work/painting
Principles & Practices
October 1
CHD 3. Child Observation I, II, III
Children’s Drawings and Birth of the Etheric (Schoorel Ch 2-3)
February 1
IAT 2. Consciousness and the Philosophy of Freedom
PSD 3. Working with Colleagues
Social art and building community in a Waldorf school: collaboration, communication & conflict resolution
A 2. Spatial Dynamics
PSD 1 Group Singing
Music 2: grades 4-6
Science 1: Nature Studies, K-5
Math 2: GS thru 6 - Fractions, decimals, percentages, business math, geometry
Speech
Summer 2- Three weeks
Festival Prep and Experience
Principles and Practices - sharing homework
IAT 3. The Foundations of Human Experience
CHD 6. The Unique Needs of the Very Young Child from Birth to Three
Birth to Three, Birth of the Etheric and First Grade Readiness (children's drawings)
CHD 2. Understanding the Transformation of Life and Growth Forces
PAEC 5. Incarnational Support and First Grade Readiness
A 1. Eurythmy
A 3. Speech and Storytelling
PSD 5. Cultural Consciousness and Social Justice
Cultural Consciousness:
1.current issues and social life in education
2. consciousness soul impulses 3. Biography, Karmic relationships and anti-bias work
PSD 1 Group Singing
A 5. Handcrafts
Yr 1- Handwork, Yr 2- Standing Puppets, Yr 3- Marionettes (wk I- create, wk II-perform)
PAEC 2. Puppetry, Puppet-making, and Performing with Puppets
Practical Advice and Discussions
Language Arts 1 fairy tales, folk tales, Hebrew legends, pre- reading, early reading, steps toward literacy, writing to read
Math 1 grades 1-4: number sense, numeracy, four operations, place value, time & money, rhythmic activities
Rhythmic Activities
Drawing 1: Form Drawing 1-4 (4 days)
Sculpture 1: Modeling and Handwork
Painting 2: Gr 1-3, Colors - complementary, tertiary and mood
Distance Learning 2 (yearlong weekends)
How to know Higher Worlds
Education as a Force for Social Change
Inner Work (six basic exercises
Language Arts 2 - 9-year change, heart of childhood, love of literature, reading to learn, grammar, composition, legends and mythology
Drawing 2 - Chalkboard drawing
Painting as Inner Development
February 2
PSD 3. Working with Colleagues
The Social art and building community in a Waldorf School: meeting cultures, parents & colleagues
A 2. Spatial Dynamics
CHD 3. Child Observation I, II, III
PSD 1. Group Singing
Painting
Speech
Science 1 - Geography
Music 1
Summer 3- Three weeks
Festival Preparation and Experience
Research Presentations
PSD 1. Group Singing
Speech 3 14
A 1. Eurythmy
PSD 2. Working with Parents I, II and III
The Social Art: Stepping into the work: 1. Governance in relation to threefold social order, 2. inner work, 3. strategies & practical questions
PSD 3. Working with Colleagues
PSD 4. Social Dynamics of a Waldorf School
A 6. Exploring Creativity through Improvisational Theater Games
PSD 5. Cultural Consciousness and Social Justice
Cultural Consciousness:
1.current issues and social life in education
2. consciousness soul impulses 3. Biography, Karmic relationships and anti-bias work
CHD. 10 Therapeutic Awareness and Approaches A 4. Visual Arts
Graduation Preparation
Differentiation and Individuation
Periodic Online Cohort Check-ins - Peer Mentoring Conversations
Faculty
Daniel Packer, Nancy Pfeiffer, Bonnie Freundlich, Daniel Stokes, Holly Koteen-Soule, Robyn Jones, Michael Soule, Skye Chamberlain, Betsy Weill, and more.
We are a group of colleagues who have been working together in Waldorf schools and in adult education in various ways over the past 25 years.