TEACHER ∙ MENTOR ∙ AUTHOR
Steeped in Waldorf ways since 1970
As a former Waldorf pupil, Visual Arts student and graphic designer, I left the world of Swiss advertising to teach German and Art at a rural 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 here:
My style of lesson planning was largely intuitive, though never unprepared. Years of study, careful reading, observing experienced colleagues and reflecting on my own years as a Waldorf pupil combined to form a clear inner picture of each Main Lesson block and what I hoped the children would gain from it.
Rather than writing detailed lesson plans in advance, I usually relied on a few guiding notes, remaining free to follow the children’s questions and discoveries whenever a lesson took an unexpected but fruitful turn.
Afterwards, however, I devoted considerable time to recording each day’s lessons and the children’s progress. Passionate about documentation, I typed up interesting examples of written work, photographed my blackboard drawings and added samples of the children’s bookwork, artwork and craftwork to my growing archive.
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. A teacher’s days are much too busy!
Creating A WALDORF DIARY
But years later, in early retirement, this idea returned and inspired me to write 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 pursue the in-depth research active teachers so rarely have time for. I enjoyed writing stories and presentation notes that spare others many hours of groundwork, allowing them to spend less time reinventing the wheel and more time shaping lessons to suit their own classes.
Creating A WALDORF DIARY has been a wonderful but incredibly time-consuming project. Just like the learning journey it charts, the manuscript alone took all of seven years to complete.
A few new ideas were added and helpful materials created as this project took shape and became a guidebook that weaves together an authentic classroom record with practical mentoring for those walking the same path.
Its lesson plans teach the children – the DIARY teaches the teacher
And 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.
Acknowledgements
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 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 go 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, 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. He revived a timid little girl, crushed by an oppressive start in mainstream education, with 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 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 how much you would love it.
A WALDORF DIARY – the classroom log that makes the art of Waldorf teaching visible
Hi Fabienne,
The main experience I took away was that even though not every teacher could ‘see’ me, the reality of their question of ‘who are you’ was implicit in their attitude to the students and that was literally uplifting. I know it contributed to my courage to decide to become a composer after leaving school.
Yes, we were indeed fortunate to experience school as generally uplifting – as it ought to be – rather than depressing. And it is nice to meet after so many years, having our different paths suddenly coincide here!