New Adult Learning Institute

Training Programs

Grounded in Practice
A ‘New’ Waldorf Foundations

In Person Intensive | August 17th - 21st, 2026
Virtual Sessions |Sept 2026 - June 2027

Aug 17-21, 2026

Our foundation program supports your Waldorf teaching practice from the ground up!

Rather than focusing on anthroposophical theory alone, we introduce the generative principles of Waldorf Education practically and methodically in any teaching context.

Program Overview

The intensive provides the experiential and conceptual foundation for the year.

The virtual modules:

  • Deepen each generative principle

  • Support application in real teaching contexts

  • Strengthen reflective and collegial practice

  • Support ongoing teacher development

  • In-Person Intensive
    August 17–21, 2026

    A five-day immersion into the living practice of Waldorf educational principles.

    Daily Rhythm
    Mornings begin in movement and, when possible, in nature.

    The day unfolds through morning lecture, artistic contemplation & conversation, and quiet moments to absorb and integrate.

    Space is held for pause—for breath, and nature moments.

    Location
    Cowichan Valley · Duncan, BC.
    A quiet, forested setting in a West Coast modern home, with optional evening sauna.

    Or

    The immersion may also be offered at your school or within your community - check out our Hosted School Partnership Model.

    Curriculum

    Foundations
    Contemporary lense into Waldorf Educational Psychology (Anthroposophy) as a way of understanding the developing human being. Child development learning is approached through art, geometry, and movement.

    Generative Principles
    An introduction to Martyn Rawson’s generative principles through living classroom examples.

    Teacher Inner Work
    Practices that support and sustain the teacher, attending to inner life through contemplative, somatic, and reflective work.

    Application & Preparation
    Time to think, plan, and shape your own work (administrative or teaching). Guidance to bring principle into practice so teaching becomes lived, not only

  • VIRTUAL TWICE MONTHLY MODULES - Sept 2026 thru May 2027 (Subject to Change)


    Every other Saturday each month, Dates TBA

    Monthly Schedule: 

    • Week 1: 2-hour virtual session

    • Week 2: 2-hour independent exploration

    • Week 3 & 4: Repeat the cycle with a new topic

    SAMPLE SCHEDULE (subject to change)


    Module #1 Asynchronous Pre Recording & Saturday 9:30am - 3:30pm - For Virtual ONLY Participants

    -Introduction to Grounded in Practice 

    -Biography of Steiner (possible pre-recording)

    -Generative Principles

    All Modules are 9:30am - 12:30pm Saturdays

    Module #2

    Rudolf Steiner’s Epistemology /Theory of Knowledge

    (Waldorf Education takes the spiritual dimension seriously)

    Module #3 

    Children Need to be Ready to Learn and Need Time to Learn

    (Child Developmental Strategies)

    Module #4

    Teaching Must be Artistic

    Activating the imagination through vivid pictorial descriptions and images is a powerful starting point for learning

    Module #5 or 25th TBC

    Teaching Must be Artistic

    Storytelling Creates a Sense of Coherence

    Module #6

    Learning is Rhythmic (Learning Processes 7fold)

    Module #7

    Learning is Structured Over Time

    Block Teaching Strengthens Learning Disposition Over Time

    Module #8

    Supporting the Development of the Twelve Senses

    Module #9

    The Cultural Life of the School

    Celebrating Nature and Ancient Wisdom in Contemporary Ways

    Module  9

    Creating Rich Experiences

    Module #10

    Rudolf Steiner’s Theory of Knowing

    Philosophy of Freedom Part 1

    Module #11

    Sense of Coherence is the Basis for Healthy Learning

    Module #12

    Direct Experience is the Basis for Healthy Learning

    Module #13

    A Phenomenological Approach Enables an Organic Growth of Knowledge

    Module #14

    Nurturing Self-Activity in Your Students

    Module #15

    The Waldorf Class is a Learning Community - Diverse Learners/ Differentiated Learning

    Module #16

    Building a Learning Community - Assessment and Reporting in Waldorf Schools

    Module #17

    Connecting With Parents

    Module #18

    The Teachers are a Collegial Learning Community - Waldorf School Governance a Basis for Collaborative Education

    Module #19

    Communication and Conflict Resolution: Making sure your language is restorative. (Share Resources)

    Module #20

    The Primary Aims of the Curriculum in Waldorf Schools

  • Whole Program: $3350 CAD

    6 day In Person Retreat: $1500 CAD

    Twice Monthly Virtual Modules: Sept - May: $2200 CAD.

    Important Enrolment Information

    It is highly recommended to take the whole program, however you may:

    • Enroll in the full program, including both the retreat and virtual modules.

    • Alternatively, join the virtual modules as standalone.

    We offer these options to best suit your needs and schedule!


    Credit Hours & Transferring to Accredited Waldorf Teacher Training Institutes

    This program fulfills 100 hours of Foundation Study according to AWSNA guidelines for teacher preparation requirements. Credit transfer for foundation or supplementary hours requires approval by training institutes on a case by case basis. However, full credit hours are pre-approved by the following institutes:

Two people sitting at a wooden table with open books and a notebook, one reading and one writing, with an iced drink nearby.

Learn More

NEW!

Grounded in Practice

Hosted School Partnership Model

  • – We come to your school to offer a 5-day, immersive foundational intensive introducing the generative principles of Waldorf Education.

    – The rest of the program is virtual for 10 months of the school year

    • Minimum 6 full program participants

    • Intensive week may include up to 12 total faculty members (additional participants at an additional cost)

    • Host school covers travel, accommodation, and meals

  • Contact Us - for more details. Rates are in canadian dollars.

    We are excited to partner with your school to explore and deepen educational practice through the generative principles of Waldorf Education.

    info@haven-wood.ca

Your Instructors

  • Smiling woman wearing flower leis in an outdoor setting.

    Sarah Nelson

    Sarah Nelson has been a Waldorf educator and advocate for over 27 years, serving as a class teacher, early childhood educator, pedagogical administrator, mentor, and leader within the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). She holds a Master’s in Education from Antioch New England, a Waldorf Teaching Certificate, and a Bachelor’s in Adolescent and Child Psychology from UMass. Sarah works with various Waldorf schools while splitting her time between British Columbia and Maui, HI.

  • Person wearing glasses and a black Arc'teryx jacket, smiling outdoors with a blurry green background.

    Rubeena Sandhu

    Rubeena Sandhu has been a Waldorf educator and principal for over 25 years. She has served on the Leadership Council of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) since 2018, and is currently the Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in Canada. With a Masters of Education in School Counselling, a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and a Waldorf Teaching Certificate she supports students, teachers administrators and parents to learn, develop, connect and heal.