A Waldorf Journey Podcast
A Waldorf Journey is a blog and podcast started by a trained and experienced Waldorf teacher who is passionate about sharing what she has learned on the journey. Stay tuned for interviews, resource recommendations, tips and suggestions for making your Waldorf journey an incredible, life-giving experience.
3 Waldorf Blocks I Love to Teach
This week, I’m taking a break from all the back-to-school planning talk to remember one of the best parts of being a Waldorf teacher: the curriculum itself.
I’m sharing three blocks I really love to teach—and what makes each one so well suited to the children at that particular age.
We’ll talk about:
The first block of first grade — establishing the rhythms, habits, and expectations that will carry you through the year.Fifth grade botany — the beautiful meeting of science, art, imagination, and biography.Sixth grad...Dreamers, Doers, and Imagination in the Waldorf Classroom
In Waldorf education, we talk a lot about bringing lessons through pictures—and about the importance of children creating their own inner pictures as they listen to a story.
But what about the child who doesn't experience stories that way?
This week's episode was inspired by a listener who asked about aphantasia, a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to voluntarily create images in the mind's eye. Her question got me thinking more broadly about what we really mean when we ask children to "picture" a story—and whether creating a vivid mental image is r...
3 Things I Would Do This Week If I Were Starting a New School Year
The beginning of August makes the new school year suddenly feel real. Whether you've already begun planning or are just starting to think about it, this podcast is for you.
In this episode, I share the three areas I would focus on this week if I were preparing for a new school year. What are three things you can do to help make sure you're starting your lesson planning on the right foot? I encourage teachers to begin with the relationships that make your teaching possible: your relationship with your students, your students' families, and yourself as...
Weekly Rhythm: Let the Week Do Some of the Teaching
One of the greatest gifts of Waldorf education is rhythm.
When we think about rhythm, we often think first about the daily rhythm of the classroom or the larger rhythm of the school year. But one of the rhythms that has made the biggest difference in my own teaching is the rhythm of the week.
In this episode, I explore how giving each day its own character can simplify planning, reduce decision fatigue, and create a classroom that feels more grounded for both teacher and students.
I also introduce the idea of the...
How I Plan a Main Lesson Block
When I begin planning a new main lesson block, I don't start by writing daily lesson plans. Instead, I begin by thinking about the larger picture: the stories, skills, experiences, and artistic work that will shape the children's experience over the coming weeks.
In this episode, I walk through the framework I use to plan every main lesson block and explain why each element matters.
In this episode:
Why I don't begin with individual lesson plansThe role of imaginative content in block planningPlanning academic skills with intentionChoosing projects, readers, and main lesson book workIncorporating...Why Waldorf Education Thinks Differently About Authority
When I began teaching, I thought authority was something to avoid.
I wanted to be kind. Understanding. Flexible. I also lacked confidence and didn't feel particularly qualified to tell them what to do. I thought that if I cared enough, authority would somehow take care of itself.
It didn't.
Over time I learned that children aren't looking for adults who step back—they're looking for adults who can step forward with calm confidence.
In this episode, I explore what authority really means in Waldorf education and why it has nothing to do...
What Should Waldorf Teachers Actually Do During the Summer?
Summer is a season of rest—but it's also an opportunity to lay the foundation for a joyful, well-prepared school year.
In this episode, I share the approach I've developed over more than twenty years of Waldorf teaching for easing into summer planning without sacrificing the rest and renewal that every teacher needs.
Rather than jumping straight into lesson plans, I suggest four simple ways to begin:
Gather the planning supplies that make the process enjoyable.Build a clear picture of child development before planning content.Envision the rhythm and structure of the school ye...Back from the Classroom (and now back to A Waldorf Journey)
After a year of being mostly quiet, I'm back behind the microphone! In this episode, I share where I've been, why I stepped back from creating content, and what's next for A Waldorf Journey.
I talk about my unexpected return to the classroom, the balance of teaching and school leadership, and why I'm excited to have more time this year to mentor teachers, create resources, and record podcasts again—even if they're a little more spontaneous than before.
I also share updates about my Summer Vision planning course, mentoring opportunities for the coming sc...
Habits to Start Strong in First Grade
In this episode, I’m diving into what it really takes to start the year strong in first grade. This is such a tender, transformative time—children are stepping out of the warm, dreamy world of early childhood and into something more structured, more purposeful. And they’re looking to you for clarity, confidence, and rhythm.
First grade is when we really begin to form the class, and the habits we establish early on can shape the whole year (and beyond). Here are the grounded, steady practices I’ve found make the biggest difference:
âś… Lean on Rh...
Creating a Waldorf Home: Nurturing Rhythm, Simplicity, and Beauty
What does it really mean to create a Waldorf-inspired home? In this episode, I share what first drew me to the peaceful beauty of Waldorf living—and the moments when it felt completely out of reach. From the temptation to chase the aesthetic to the deeper values that truly make a Waldorf home, we’ll explore how rhythm, simplicity, and presence matter more than wooden toys and silks.
We’ll talk about:
The heart of a Waldorf home: rhythm, warmth, and intentionDaily and weekly rhythms that support your family lifeCreating cozy spaces and nurturing the sensesMeaningful work a...Teaching Natural Sciences – Physiology & Anatomy in the Waldorf School
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I explore the unique approach to teaching natural sciences in a Waldorf classroom, with a particular focus on physiology and anatomy in the seventh and eighth grades. I discuss how Waldorf education brings warmth, storytelling, and experiential learning to these subjects, fostering a deep and lasting connection rather than just rote memorization.
Topics Covered:
🦴 The importance of warming the soil—creating a deep feeling connection to the subject matter rather than emphasizing memorization.
🦴 How physiology (body systems) is taugh...
Bringing the Waldorf Class Play to Life
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I welcome my colleague Laura Elmore for a deep dive into one of the most cherished Waldorf traditions—the class play. With decades of experience in Waldorf education, Laura shares her insights into why class plays are such an integral part of the curriculum, how they evolve from the early grades to middle school, and the pedagogical purpose behind them.
Looking for a play to perform with your students? My first- and second-grade plays are available on my website: www.awaldorfjourney.com.
What You’ll Learn in This Epis...
Why I Quit Teaching and What I'm Doing Now, 2025 Edit
In this episode, I take a moment to share a personal story about my decision to leave teaching and the journey that followed. Teaching, especially in a Waldorf school, is a deeply fulfilling experience—but it also comes with its challenges. I reflect on the thoughts that led to my transition, from the pressures of the classroom to the realization that I needed a more sustainable and financially secure path forward.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
Why I first began questioning my long-term future in teaching.The impact of the pandemic on my de...Tools for Drawing in the Waldorf Grade School
Welcome to A Waldorf Journey! Let's explore the artistic tools that shape a Waldorf classroom, from beeswax crayons to colored pencils, and why these choices matter for child development.
🔹 Beeswax Crayons – Supporting grip strength, movement, and blending colors for a sensory-rich experience.
🔹 Why No Graphite Pencils? – Encouraging openness and self-expression rather than rigid precision.
🔹 Markers vs. Natural Materials – How markers lack depth, texture, and warmth compared to crayons and pencils.
🔹 Transition to Colored Pencils – A gradual shift toward fine motor control in later grades.
🔹 Other Art Supplies – Insights on oil crayons, watercolor pencils, and drawing tools for upp...
The Power of Mentorship in Waldorf Education: Supporting Teachers for Success
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I dive into the essential role of mentorship in supporting Waldorf teachers.
Join me as I explore the benefits and challenges of mentorship in Waldorf schools, from the common practice of pairing new teachers with experienced colleagues to the advantages of working with an external mentor. I discuss the importance of confidentiality in the mentor-mentee relationship, the power of self-reflection in professional growth, and how objectivity can bring fresh insights into teaching and student development.
🌟 Discover why strong mentorship is key to teacher success and how it...
Exploring the Journey from Mythology to History in Waldorf Education
Prefer to watch this on YouTube? Check it out here!
In this episode of A Waldorf Journey, I take a deep dive into one of the most inspiring aspects of Waldorf education: the transition from teaching mythology to history through the grades.
Join me as I explore how this unique approach supports child development, nurturing imagination in the younger grades and fostering analytical thinking in later years. From fairy tales in first grade to revolutions in eighth, I discuss the guiding principles behind this thoughtful curriculum, share insights from my classroom experience, and...
Looking Ahead, Looking Back: The June Dilemma
These days my inbox is filled with two kinds of questions.
Can you give me some advice for writing end-of-year reports?Do you have suggestions for making summer planning easier?Luckily, I have thoughts on both of those topics. You can find lots of information about them both on the blog. But I mention this just because it points out the dilemma that teachers face right now.
The blog post for this episode.
Waldorf at Work, my Substack newsletter.
Waldorf Transitions, Traditions, and Ceremonies
In this episode, I take a look at the Waldorf traditions and ceremonies that mark students' development and transitions. Waldorf is really good at marking time in this way and it's one of the things many of us really love about Waldorf Education.
The blog post for this episode.
Waldorf at Work: My super-practical, actionable Substack newsletter.
Email me about summer mentoring.
Interested in my Summer Planning course? I'm in the process of deciding if I'm going to run this course. Let me know if you're interested.
Waldorf Enough, Waldorf at Work
Interested in following me on my new adventure? You can subscribe at:
waldorfatwork.substack.com
Also in this episode, I talk about the question I hate most: "Am I Waldorf enough?" I talk through the assumptions that are embedded in this question and some of the reasons why they are completely misguided.
Because, newsflash, Waldorf is not about playing the flute, singing songs, or spending lots of time outside. It's about doing those things out of an understanding of the impact that they have on students. And you can be a great Waldorf teacher, e...
Growth Mindset for Grownups
How do you demonstrate your commitment to learning and growing? What mistakes have you made recently? How do you show others that it's okay to make mistakes? And how do you make sure you're REALLY okay with making mistakes?
Finding these answers has been a big part of my work recently, and my own path as a learning, growing human being -- even as a grown-up. It's also the topic of my new project Evolving Pigeon -- even old birds learn and grow.
Here are links to some of the things I talked about this...
Why I Quit Teaching
A brand new episode catching you up on why I left teaching and what I'm doing now.
Mentioned in this episode
My website, A Waldorf Journey
Blog post about my decision to leave teaching
Blog post about telling my students
A post about walking the growth mindset talk
My new project, Evolving Pigeon, for adult fans of the growth mindset
The Practical Art of the Waldorf Classroom
My other courses
My curriculum guides
Follow me on Instagram
The Facebook group
Interested in mentorship...
The Importance of Wonder
Recently I was working with some teachers who are getting ready to teach 7th grade and we were talking about the creative writing block most often called Wish, Wonder and Surprise. We had a conversation about each one of these gestures and what makes them different from each other. And we talked about how to have this conversation with students.
Wish
Wish is pretty clear. When I taught 7th grade, the students and I talked about the difference between a wish, a hope and a dream. And we talked about...
How To Enjoy Your Teacher Planning
It’s August, so I’m headlong in planning mode. And though there are many things competing for my time these days, working on my planning is one the tasks that I actually look forward to every day.Â
It’s also the one thing that teachers ask me for the most help with. I feel lucky that planning is something that I enjoy so much, and it definitely makes a difference in my classroom. I start the year feeling prepared. I head into every new block with a solid plan. And I start each day kno...
Heading Into Waldorf Middle School
Register for my summer productivity course.
My history as a middle school teacher
How our work will change
What we’re doing to set a solid framework
Building Habits
homeworkFinishing their workEngaging with our lessonsGeneral classroom behaviorBuilding a Culture of Caring
we’re good people and we’re working togetherwe’re on the same teambuilding up an image of each individual as a caring individualbuilding an image of the class as a whole being caringbuilding a reputation for them to live up toHow Middle School Will Cha...
Growth Mindset Series, February
Join me as I make my way through The Growth Mindset Coach — a month-by-month guide for teachers. Each month I’ll record an episode about it and I’d love to hear what you think!
In this episode . . .Â
TARGET from Carol Ames
TaskAuthorityRecognitionGroupingEvaluationTimeGrowth Mindset Series, January
Join me as I make my way through The Growth Mindset Coach -- a month-by-month guide for teachers. Each month I'll record an episode about it and I'd love to hear what you think!
In this episode . . .Â
Teacher feedback stems
I noticed howLook at how much progress you've made onI see a difference in this work compared withI admire how hard you have worked onI can see you r...January 2021 Update
Promos
Audible -- Get your free trial by hitting my link.
Skillshare -- I'm loving Skillshare. Free 14 day trial with my link.
My curriculum guides -- I've got a guide that will help you teach and give you just the amount of help that you need.
Things I Talked About This Week
5 Things That Made Me Happy in 2020
Promos
Audible -- Get your free trial by hitting my link.
Skillshare -- I'm loving Skillshare. Free 14 day trial with my link.
My curriculum guides -- I've got a guide that will help you teach and give you just the amount of help that you need.
Content
Things that made me happy in 2020.
Stuff Mentioned
NotionTodoistGoogle ClassroomSuperhumanAtomic HabitsMy Waldorf Distance Learning Set-Up
Home Resource Guide
This free Waldorf-at-Home Resource guide goes through 4 of those basic ideas that can help you create a harmonious Waldorf home, and maybe even realize that you're doing a pretty good job of getting there already.
To get this free guide, just go to awaldorfjourney.com/homeguide and I'll send you the free pdf.
Holiday Gift Guides
To see my Waldorf art gift guide, which gives indications for art supplies that will be useful throughout the grades, just head to www.awaldorfjourney.com/artsupplies.
And...
Waldorf and Festivals
As we enter into the holiday season, I thought it would be a good chance to talk about Waldorf and festivals. I know that the festivals were one of the things that drew me to Waldorf when I first discovered it, and though they are lovely, my thoughts about them have changed through the years. I'm happy to share some thoughts about the festivals with you in this episode.
Waldorf Gift Guides
The holidays are approaching and if your family is anything like mine, the grandparents are asking what they can give the...
Thinking, Feeling and Willing in Child Development
This week we're going to talk about child development. We've all heard about thinking, feeling, and willing of Waldorf education. This episode is all about where you can find thinking feeling and willing in child development and which aspect you should be focusing on when.
This episode is being brought to you by my curriculum guides, which you can find at my website awaldorfjourney.com/shop. I’ve got a variety of guides throughout the grades -- Whether you’re teaching botany, rocks and minerals, physics or astronomy in the middle school; or consonants and vowels in firs...
Rhythms and Routines for Planning
This week we're talking about one of my secret weapons for making this Waldorf teaching work so much easier. It took me awhile to figure it out, but having a structure and a set of systems will make this job so much more sustainable. This week I'm going to talk about some of the rhythms I've established in my teaching and how you can keep a balance between new, exciting inspiration and regular routines and rhythms.
This episode is being brought to you by my new course, Feedback and Record-Keeping for Waldorf Teachers. I've offered this course...
Waldorf Parenting
This week we're talking about Waldorf Parenting. I've got some pretty strong opinions (they maybe even a little controversial) and some basic ideas to help you create an intentional Waldorf family life for yourself and your children.
This episode is being brought to you by my ebook The Waldorf Home. If you’re interested in reading ideas, suggestions and tips for making your home more aligned with your children’s waldorf education, check out my book at www.thewaldorfhome.com.
Also, if you’re a homeschooling parent or a teacher, check out my curriculum guides at www...
Waldorf via Zoom, Lessons Learned
Many of us are teaching in ways we never expected before and it's pushing us far beyond our comfort zones. We miss working with our students in person, but the news isn't all bad. I, for one, have been amazed at how much learning and connection is actually happening in our distance learning arrangement.
In this episode we'll talk all about distance learning, some things I've learned and how you can make the most of this medium.
This episode is being brought to you by my free workshop, the 3 classroom management strategies every waldorf teacher...
Communication, Feedback and Record-Keeping for Teachers
This week we're talking about feedback and record-keeping for Waldorf teachers. We'll explore the different types of feedback you need to give and who you need to consider when putting together your feedback plan.
Promo
This episode is being brought to you by my course, Feedback and Record-Keeping for Waldorf Teachers. I've offered this course in the past, but it's been updated and brought over to my own platform so it's more available.
I strongly believe that providing feedback and keeping parents, students and administration updated on student progress is a place...
Lessons in a Pandemic
This episode is being brought to you by my free workshop, the 3 classroom management strategies every waldorf teacher needs to know, which will be released in later this month (October 2020.)
I’m really excited to offer this workshop because I think it is something that isn’t talked about enough in our training courses and it is exactly what Waldorf teachers need to be thinking about right now.
Just head over to www.awaldorfjourney.com/strategies to sign up for the workshop.
Also, registration opens soon for my new course, The Practical Art of t...
An Update and Productivity Tools for Teachers
Introduction
This episode is being brought to you by my new course, Feedback and Record-Keeping for Waldorf Teachers. I've offered this course in the past, but it's been updated and brought over to my own platform so it's more available.
I strongly believe that providing feedback and keeping parents, students, and administration updated on student progress is a place where Waldorf teachers have fallen short in the past. We want our students to feel good about their work and not have to face criticism. But monitoring progress and having those sometimes difficult conversations helps...
AWJ 51 | Current Thoughts About Literacy and Language Arts
I taught for a long time before I really became aware of all of the nuances of teaching language arts and I have to say it is the aspect of my teaching that has occupied most of my attention for the past few years. There is so much to think about and I find it endlessly fascinating to consider how students become readers and how they use the English language. So I’m really excited to explore some of that content with you now.
This episode is being brought to you by my series of curriculum guides. If...
AWJ 50 | Ultimate Guide To Main Lesson
When I first started teaching, I remember feeling like the 2 hours of main lesson was an eternity. I thought it would be impossible to fill that time with valuable content.
These days I’m far more likely to run out of time and not get to everything than to have extra time on my hands. The truth is that when you understand the different components of main lesson, you’ll see how the time just flies by and you don’t need to figure out how to fill that 2-hour main lesson from scratch every single day.
AWJ 49 | Waldorf Teacher Mentoring
Getting connected with a good mentor can really make or break your experience and success as a Waldorf teacher. I had a couple of fantastic mentors early in my career and it made all the difference. I attribute those early mentoring years to my continued success. This episode is all about how to connect with a mentor and make the most of the experience.
Do you have a mentor to support your teaching? A lot goes into making those mentoring relationships successful and there are things you can do to make the most of it. I really...
