high school Curriculum

The WHSTE program curriculum consists of instruction n the following areas:

Educational principles, methods, and curricula
Adolescent development
Anthroposophy, including inner development
Practical work in a high school
Artistic development

Course Listings

Principles & Methods of Waldorf Education
Practical Work in a High School
Curriculum & Teaching: Methodology and content of Waldorf curricula in grades 9-12 (students will choose the humanities or math/science track)
- Teaching Literature
- Teaching Language Arts
- Teaching Math
- Teaching Physics
- Teaching Chemistry
- Teaching Life Science
- Teaching Cultural History
Contemplative Practice
The Arts

Fieldwork

In accordance with minimum expectations set by AWSNA, the Sunbridge High School program carries requirements for students to engage in practical experiences (“fieldwork)”) in Waldorf classrooms during the course of their studies. The specific requirements for fieldwork will vary according to a student’s work status as a Waldorf teacher. The program director/advisor will guide each student through their fieldwork for an optimum experience.

Fieldwork refers to:

• Observation: Observing a class other than the student’s own. All students are required to keep a journal of their observations and submit the journal to their advisor for review.

• Student teaching: Creating and delivering curriculum content under the guidance of an accomplished teacher in an AWSNA-affiliated school

• Mentored teaching: A student visited in their own teaching classroom by a highly experienced Waldorf high school teacher for observation, conversation, and feedback to support and guide the student in practical aspects of their work and in their development as an educator. The mentor’s observation records are shared with the student and with the WHSTE program director.

For the purpose of determining fieldwork requirements, WHSTE students are divided into two categories:

In-service: Those students who are actively working as high school teachers in an AWSNA-affiliated school.

Pre-service: Those students who do not fall into the definition of in-service. NOTE: If a student’s work category changes during the course of the program, their fieldwork category (and requirements) will change accordingly.

Fieldwork Requirements for In-Service Students:

Observation: (18 hours minimum)
- Three observations of 3-5 consecutive days each, at least two class hours per day.
  - Two of these three observations should be in one's own school and one at another school, ideally a non-Waldorf school. Based on our experience, it is beneficial to observe in non-Waldorf schools to better understand what aspects of our work are common to all teachers who work with high school students and what aspects are relatively unique to Waldorf schools.
  - Two of these three observations should be within a student’s own discipline; one should be in a different discipline. Similarly, understanding teaching in our own disciplines and subjects benefits from seeing how teachers of other subjects and disciplines parallel or diverge from ours.

Mentored teaching: (40 hours)
- Students receive one week of mentoring in the fall and one week in the spring for two years. Mentoring is conducted by a school-assigned mentor or coach.

Fieldwork Requirements for Pre-Service Students:

Observation: (18 hours minimum)
- Three observations of 3-5 consecutive days each, at least two class hours per day.
- Two of these three observations should be in one's own school and one at another school, ideally a non-Waldorf school. Based on our experience, it is beneficial to observe in non-Waldorf schools to better understand what aspects of our work are common to all teachers who work with high school students and what aspects are relatively unique to Waldorf school.
- Two of these three observations should be within a student’s own discipline; one should be in a different discipline. Similarly, understanding teaching in our own disciplines and subjects benefits from seeing how teachers of other subjects and disciplines parallel or diverge from ours
Apprenticeship, including student teaching: (30 hours minimum)
- One seminar (main lesson, morning lesson) block of 3-5 weeks or equivalent number of hours (approximately 30-50), depending on subject area and schedule. School approved by director/core faculty.

Sunbridge aims to be flexible with and supportive of each student as they fulfill their fieldwork requirements. Students have a one-year, post-graduation grace period for fieldwork completion. Students requiring this grace period will be issued a completion of coursework certificate at commencement, with their final diploma issued upon completion of their fieldwork requirements.