Why Waldorf – Reflections from a high school teacher

Lee Smit-Gardner left mainstream teaching position to join the Michael Oak Waldorf staff because she felt this education offered her greater opportunities for growth as a teacher and because the principles of this alternative education resonated for her. Here are some of her reflections on the Waldorf education experience.

Mainstream education has lost so much by having to conform to clear standards and norms. Of course, the knowledge and skills which it brings have an important place in the world and it has a lot to offer. However, if one stops there, something is lacking. One can be a wonderful teacher in that environment and bring your warmth and humanity to the young person, but the curriculum remains static – textbooks, knowledge, assessments of learning and with little space to deepen the experience of one’s self, other than if one is lucky enough to do practical subjects or have some immersion in the arts. 

Waldorf, on the other hand, has so much soul food for the developing human. Every student has the opportunity to experience stories rich with imaginative ideas, natural textures for the hand, mobility in movement, artistic expression, and thought-provoking material to inspire a love of learning. The very soul is encouraged expression and how happy we are as teachers when we see the young person growing, budding and then opening to the world filled with the wonderful soul food they have been nurtured with. 

In the High school as the young people search for truth, they find dedicated teachers who challenge them to think and to use their imagination to link ideas, to hold polarities, to form opinions, and to open their minds as much as possible. The pedagogical aim is to assist them to look for answers, to move in their thoughts, and to express these very thoughts and ideas in so many different forms. Their very humanity is allowed through debate, discussion, and continual encouragement to bring forth thoughts and artistic expression from themselves so they get to know and strengthen their inner being. 

We are living in a world that is changing very rapidly, and there is so much that can distract us and disconnect us from what is real. For me it is clear, that this is the most relevant education system of our time. It is colourful, imaginative, textured, nourishing, soulful, challenging, broad, and deep. It encourages a growth of consciousness of themselves, of others and of the world around them. They finish ready to cross the bridge into the world where they will continue to learn and grow, with a foundation that is strong enough to support their lifelong journey of growth as a human being on planet earth.