“Grounded in Practice” Waldorf Foundations Program

2026 - 2027 Program Dates Coming Soon!

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

Rather than focusing on theory alone, we introduce classroom-ready generative principles that can be applied practically and methodically in any teaching context.

  • IMMERSIVE RETREAT - LIKE DESIGN

    • Morning Warm Ups & Nature Walk

    • Lectures & Seminars

    • Contemplative periods throughout the day

    • Personal breaks and assimilation periods

    RETREAT WEEK LOCATION 2025-2026

    • Cowichan Valley, Duncan, BC

      • Beautiful Forested Setting

      • West Coast Modern Home

      • Evening saunas (optional)

        OR

    • Your Location or School: we are happy to offer the retreat week at your school, or in your local area at a different time of year, upon your request.

    INTENSIVE CURRICULUM

    • Introduction to Anthroposophy as it relates to understanding human development

    • Introduction to child development through Art, Geometry & Movement Curriculums

    • Intro. To Rawson’s Generative Principles (5 Vignettes)

    • Advisory Planning Time (towards your personal aims); with mentorship

    • Contemplative Practice / Inner life of the teacher: practices to support inner health

    • Intro to Child Development (Evening Lecture)

    Generative Principles: 

    • Child Development, timing is everything

    • Learning is rhythmical

    • Learning processes are structured over time

    • Block teaching strengthens learning

    • Teacher Preparation/Economy of Teaching; how can we utilize somatic, emotional, contemplative practices to mitigate burnout?

    • Planning and Implementation (The What)

  • VIRTUAL TWICE MONTHLY MODULES - Sept 2026 - May 2027

    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

    Introduction to Grounded in Practice 

    -Biography of Steiner (possible pre-recording)

    -Generative Principles

    -Epistemology /Theory of Knowledge

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

    Module #2

    Introduction to Anthroposophy: Theosophy 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

  • 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.

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.

2026 Program Registration Coming Soon!