This week’s course will be taught remotely in real-time. For those who would prefer attending in person, this course is also being offered on campus from June 23-28. Read all about Summer Series 2024.
Open to everyone, including current and prospective early childhood educators, parents, grandparents, and caregivers.
Join us for a wondrous journey! In this comprehensive course, you’ll explore the essential elements of Waldorf early childhood education. Through the guidance of highly experienced Waldorf early childhood educators you’ll delve into child development; learn about rhythms, transitions, and the cycle of the year; explore the importance of play; examine the inner development of the teacher; experience circle time activities, lessons in handwork, art, and movement, and the essentials of a morning in a Waldorf early childhood setting; and develop a true practical understanding of Waldorf early childhood education. A perennial Sunbridge summer favorite, this rich and extensive course has launched many early childhood careers.
Instructors
Leslie Burchell-Fox has been a faculty member of Sunbridge’s Early Childhood Teacher Education program since 2004 and assumed the title of co-director in 2015. She also currently leads Parent & Child programs at Green Meadow Waldorf School, where she has been on the faculty since 2002 in various roles in the early childhood department; previously, she taught kindergarten and nursery for six years at the Waldorf School of Baltimore. Leslie is a Lazure artist, and prior to becoming a Waldorf teacher was a professional fiber artist specializing in surface design and wearable art; she also spent several years as a speech pathologist. She holds a BS in Speech Pathology from Kent State University and an MSEd in Waldorf Education from Sunbridge College.
Meggan Gill became Sunbridge’s director of education and organizational culture in 2021 and is also a member of the Sunbridge teacher education faculty. A member of Alma Partners and a specialist in diversity, equity, and inclusion, she is also an active committee member and workshop presenter for AWSNA and WECAN. Meggan’s teaching experience includes most recently serving as lead toddler teacher at City of Lakes Waldorf School and, from 2009-2020, serving on the faculty of the Brooklyn Waldorf School, where she led parent-and-child and kindergarten classes and was active on the Faculty Council. Prior to joining BWS, she taught kindergarten at the Olympia Waldorf School and parent-and-child and nursery classes at the New Amsterdam School. Meggan, who originally hails from the Pacific Northwest and is a certified yoga teacher, earned her undergraduate degree in health sciences from The Evergreen State College and her certificate in Waldorf early childhood education from Sunbridge.
Additional faculty TBA.
Participants who took this course previously had this to say:
- Amazing. This is one of the best courses I’ve taken in my life.
- I am beyond grateful.
- The class was a fun mix of lecture, break-out groups and experiential learning.
- It was well structured, the faculty was exceptional and held each class with knowledge, joy and humor. I appreciated the opportunity we were given to be broken into groups, discuss topics and get to know more about the participants.
- I found the topics engaging, loved the puppetry and am thankful for the library of music!
- Meggan’s class was so helpful and insightful. There were so many things about circle time that I didn’t fully understand and this course really helped me learn. I really appreciate the openness, humor and warmth that she brings to the class.
- I really enjoyed attending lectures and the articles that were provided for homework. It was great to dive right in and begin learning more about Waldorf EC. I found everyone to be very passionate and present in the program. I found that I got something out of every class.
- It was an incredibly insightful and grounding experience.
- Not only am I walking away with tools in my pocket, but with a growth and awareness in myself that I was not expecting.
- The entire course was so nourishing and fulfilling. It gave me more than I ever expected.
- I would suggest this course to all teachers and parents interested in deepening their knowledge in Waldorf EC education. It was truly eye-opening.
Schedule
This course takes place July 28-August 2 in a synchronous online classroom. ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN (NY) TIME ZONE
Sunday evening
7:15 pm-7:25 pm: Log in for technical check and attendance
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm: First session
Monday-Thursday
9:45 am-9:55 am: Log in for technical check and attendance
Sessions take place between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm (including breaks and lunch)
Friday
9:45 am-9:55 am: Log in for technical check and attendance
Final session takes place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Note: Participants should be prepared to work on course-related assignments outside of their regularly scheduled instructional sessions (including some that may be assigned in advance). Complete schedules will be sent two weeks before your course start date, along with a list of materials you will need to procure for your handwork classes.
Cost
$615 includes all resource materials, yearlong access to your Google Classroom, and a $55 non-refundable registration fee
25% discount for:
- Students currently enrolled in a Sunbridge teacher education program
- Sunbridge program graduates
- Payments made in Canadian dollars
Accounts must be in good standing and discounts may not be combined. Qualification for discounts will be verified by Sunbridge staff.
Questions?
Please contact Barbara Vitale, admissions and summer coordinator, at [email protected] or 845-425-0055 x20
Sunbridge reserves the right to make faculty substitutions when necessary. See registration form for refund policy.
