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News from AWSNA          February 2014
The official e-news of the Association of independent Waldorf schools
Greetings!


In a recent issue of the New Yorker, Ian Johnson writes about the spread of Waldorf Education in China. He spent time with Harry Huang and his wife, Zhang Li, who started the Chengdu Waldorf School after becoming frustrated with the rigidity of the Chinese educational system. The school, which opened in southwestern China in the fall of 2004, now has more than three hundred students, and a five-year waiting list; thanks in large part to Huang and Li, the Waldorf model is "quickly becoming one of the most influential countercultures" in China.

 

It was great seeing Christof Wiechert quoted in the New Yorker, and while the article lacked many of the myriad complexities that describe the essence of Waldorf Education, the article is a tremendous window on education in China. And, we are very glad that so many children are benefiting from a Waldorf Education in China.

 

If you subscribe to the New Yorker you can read the entire article, and please consider writing a letter to the editor about your experience of Waldorf Education in response to the article.

Beverly Damico
 
Thank you,
Beverly Amico
for the AWSNA Executive Team 
 

There are lots of new job postings on our website - please check them out. And do send us your school's employment openings so we can share them with our communities. Submissions should include AWSNA member school or institute name, position that is open, and contact information (email address, phone number, web link to your school).

 

Your job listing will be up for three months or until you inform us that the post has been filled. Please send submissions to the web editor at webeditor@awsna.org.

 

 

   educwill

 

Summer Conference

 

Summer Conference Online registration is now open!

We have a wonderful Summer Conference coming up in June and look forward to seeing you there. You can register on line now: AWSNA Summer Conference

Freedom, Funding, and Accountability
in Waldorf Education
 

 

What are some ways we can navigate independent Waldorf Education through the turbulent currents of financial uncertainty and government regulations? Workshops, presentations, and plenum conversations led by Patrice Maynard and Gary Lamb will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014  9:00 am - 5:30 pm at the Solaris Center for the Social Arts, in Hudson, NY. 

 

The event is sponsored by Research Institute of Waldorf Education and the Hawthorne Valley Center for Social Research and hosted by the Freedom and Funding in Education Initiative Group.

 

Find out more on Why Waldorf Works

 Summerfield's Bike to School Program

 
 
Summerfield wants to encourage students, parents, faculty and staff to ride their bikes to school, thus eliminating cars on the road and in the parking lots, and reducing emissions.

 

The Bike to School program is simple: All students need to do is track their rides to school and one of the school's donors will give $1 per rider per day to the Annual Giving Fund. What a fun way to make a difference and earn money for Summerfield! And, when a student rides for 100 days, they earn a prize!


Read more on Why Waldorf Works.

 

WALDORF EDUCATION EVENTS

 

Event details, including contact information, can be found on the Events page of the Why Waldorf Works website. Please send us your events so we can include them in our calendar. 

 

February 17-19, 2014: North Vancouver, BC

AWSNA Northwest Regional Conference The Metamorphosis of Thinking with Dennis Klocek. Practical meditation for teachers - meeting the pedagogical demand to develop heart-felt thinking. Each day of the conference will include a morning lecture followed by exercises to move thought to practice and then

an afternoon session to deepen the work through small group discussion and work.

Hosted by Vancouver Waldorf School and Whistler Waldorf School.

 

February 17-19, 2014: Portland, OR

World Language Teachers Conference - for current and potential grades and world language teachers in Waldorf Schools. 

Come for a renewing, inspiring and supportive gathering in the beautiful city of Portland. This is a unique opportunity for language teachers to gather, learn and share practical techniques and materials as well as to reaffirm or introduce the social and Anthroposophical underpinnings of our important work.

Hosted by Cedarwood Waldorf School. 

 

February 20 - 22, 2014: Detroit, MI

AWSNA Great Lakes Regional Conference.

Hosted by Detroit Waldorf School.

 

February 20 - 22, 2014: San Rafael, CA

The Fifth New Impulse Conference.

Three Dentitions: What educators in early childhood, elementary grades, and high school can learn from one another. A three day conference with Diane David, Susan Johnson, Douglas Gerwin and Dale Robinson.

Presented by Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training at Marin Waldorf School.

 

February 28, 2014: Marietta, PA

AWSNA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference.

Hosted by Susquehanna Waldorf School.

 

March 1, 2014: Pewaukee, WI

Community Education Conference Weaving a New Web: Education & Parenting in an Era of Technological Change. Keynote Speaker Eric Utne, Utne Reader founder and Waldorf educator

Hosted by Prairie Hill Waldorf School; co-sponsored by Prairie Hill Waldorf School, Madison Waldorf School, Tamarack Waldorf School, and the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute.

 

March 14-16, 2014: Ben Lomond, CA

Money and Biography Workshop 

This workshop, co-led by Leah Walker of the Center for Biography and Social Arts, and John Bloom, Senior Director of Organizational Culture, RSF Social Finance, will be an opportunity to begin or further the exploration of money and biography through reflection, artistic exercises, and shared experiences in a safe environment.

Held at the Sequoia Retreat Center in Ben Lomond, CA

 

March 13-14, 2014: Baltimore, MD

AWSNA Southeast Regional Delegates Conference.

Core Values and Core Standards - Deciphering mainstream educational trends for the Waldorf setting - Keynote Speaker Patrice Maynard, MEd

Hosted by the Baltimore Waldorf School.

 

March 13 and March 27, 2014: Chestnut Ridge, NY
Sunbridge Institute Open Days
Experience Waldorf teacher education in action. Attend class, talk to program students and faculty, meet with our Director of Education and
Early Childhood and Elementary Teacher Education Program Directors, and tour the campus.

 

March 14 - 15, 2014: Phoenixville, PA

Stepping Stones to Social Entrepreneurship Young Social Entrepreneurs Conference

2014 Keynote Speaker:  Don Shaffer, President of RSF Social Finance

~ Grow a sustainable & profitable business

~ Network for advisors, partners and investors

~ Learn how to successfully pitch your business idea

~ Get inspired to dream and create something that changes the world!

Co-organized by Triskeles and Kimberton Waldorf School

 

March 21, 2014: Freeport, ME

AWSNA Northeast / Québec Regional Delegates Meeting

"Imagination, Courage and Responsibility: Finding the Strength to Teach"

The keynote speaker is Florian Osswald, Co-leader of the Pedagogical Section in Dornach. We will explore themes such as: 'What are the challenges that stress us as teachers and administrators?' and 'How can we find renewal and strengthen ourselves for our task?'

Hosted by Merriconeag Waldorf School.

 

April 26, 2014: Hudson, NY

Freedom, Funding & Accountability in Education

Navigating Independent Waldorf Education Through the Turbulent Currents of Financial Uncertainty and Government Regulations

A Workshop led by Patrice Maynard and Gary Lamb, including presentations with small group and plenum conversations.
Hosted by Solaris Center for the Social Arts.

 

June 23-26, 2014: Hadley, MA

The AWSNA Summer Conference will be held June 23- June 26, 2014 at Hartsbrook School. The theme for this year is "Cultivating Humanness within a Technological World" featuring keynote speaker, Craig Holdrege, Ph.D., Director and Senior Researcher, Nature Institute.

 

Please inform your communities and mark your calendars!

 

You are welcome to send Waldorf-related events for posting on our web site.

 
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AWSNA provides leadership to schools by facilitating resources, networks and research as they strive towards excellence and build healthy school communities. The Association performs functions that its member schools and institutes could not do alone, including:
·    Outreach and advocacy
·    Accreditation and school support services
·    Professional development activities
·    Research and publications
Please contact us if you have any questions about AWSNA or this or any other newsletter. 

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Questions please contact Kirin at webeditor@awsna.org or an AWSNA executive team member:  

Leader of Administration: David Owen-Cruise

dowencruise@awsna.org
2142A Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Office 612-870-8310 x104   Fax 877-835-0299

    

Leader of Outreach and Development: Beverly Amico

bamico@awsna.org    

515 Kimbark, Suite 103, Longmont, CO 80501

612-870-8310 x106    Fax 720-633-9543

 

Leader of Programs and Activities: Melanie Reiser

mreiser@awsna.org    

515 Kimbark, Suite 103, Longmont, CO 80501

612-870-8310 x105     Fax 720-633-9531