The Author

I am Fabienne Wolf Tellenbach, a former Waldorf pupil, Visual Arts student, graphic designer and Waldorf parent who left the world of Swiss advertising to teach German and Art at a Waldorf School in England.

A few years and much useful experience later, I switched to class teaching and accompanied a lovely group of children for seven years, as described in The Story.

My style of lesson planning was largely intuitive, a spur-of-the-moment approach. I had a pretty clear picture in my mind but rarely jotted down more than a few bullet points to guide me through the day. Sometimes a plan was abandoned altogether when an interesting class discussion arose, or a different approach suggested itself.

But I then spent much time writing notes about the day’s lessons and the pupils – and, being a passionate recordkeeper, I typed up interesting examples of their written work, logged snapshots of blackboard drawings and added records of the children’s bookwork, artwork and craftwork to my personal files.

Colleagues of the classes following mine liked to consult these files as they prepared for the coming year, finding them helpful and inspiring. I ought to think of publishing them, they said, so that others could benefit too …

Well, that was out of the question at the time.

Creating A Waldorf Diary

But ten years later, now in early retirement, the idea returned, and I wrote A WALDORF DIARY to show how the curriculum for class teachers can be brought to life – intended particularly, but not exclusively, for those who are new to the Waldorf method.

Retirement also brought the welcome opportunity to do the in-depth research active teachers so rarely have time for, and I enjoyed writing stories and presentation notes that can save others from spending hours on the same basic research, “reinventing the wheel” instead of crafting their own approach.

Creating A WALDORF DIARY has been a wonderful but incredibly time-consuming project. Just like the learning journey it charts, it took all of seven years to complete.

Supplemented with new ideas and materials that were added as this project took shape, The Diary became a unique blend of personal memoir, helpful guidebook and mentor’s voice.

Acknowledgements

Now that the time has come to send A WALDORF DIARY into the world, I would like to take the opportunity to thank some Very Important People.

Firstly, heartfelt thanks to my dear pupils: Though you are now all grown up, your childhood lives on in my memory. It has been a joy and a privilege to work and learn with you on our shared journey, and my best wishes accompany you on your further paths.

Thanks also to the parents who supported our work at home and at school: You contributed in so many ways, directly and indirectly, and your help was always greatly appreciated.

Thank you, dear colleagues, for inspiring lessons, unwavering commitment to the Waldorf ideal, and constant striving to do it justice: I consider myself lucky to have worked with and learnt from you.

Special thanks to my co-teacher Celia: You knew the best places for day trips, which workshops to book, and how to manage a class camp. And even in times of greatest stress, when co-producing a pageant or a play with both our classes, we were always able to laugh together.

Much gratitude is due to my former teachers at the Rudolf Steiner Schule Zürich. First among them Thomas Homberger, who offered me a place in his already crowded Class 2 and revived a timid little girl, crushed by an oppressive start in mainstream education, with his pedagogical insight, care and understanding: It felt like a warm sunrise after a cold and very dark night.

Finally, I remain ever grateful to the spirit of Rudolf Steiner, without whose genius none of it would have been possible. And also to my dear late parents who made considerable sacrifices to give me the gift of a Waldorf education: I never thanked you enough, but I dedicate A WALDORF DIARY to your memory, knowing that you already love it.

Comments are welcome, so don’t hesitate to share experiences, questions and feedback below.

This guide assists class teachers and home educators with editable daily lesson plans, presentation notes, mentoring comments and examples of work. Its chapters are currently being formatted for digital publication and released in turn. To be notified of such releases, subscribe here:

Check the progress of publication at the schedule, read testimonials and download your free chapter. For prices and details of available chapters, visit the shop page:

Follow A WALDORF DIARY‘s Facebook page for exclusive updates.