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How to Become a Waldorf Teacher
Who is this article for?
Anyone thinking about becoming a Waldorf teacher who is brand new to teaching—or to Waldorf education.
If you’ve recently encountered Waldorf education and are considering it as your career path; if you’re a Waldorf parent who has fallen in love with your child’s education and want to pursue it as your own profession; if you’re currently a non-Waldorf teacher looking for a more holistic way of working with children; this article is for you!
What does it take to become a Waldorf teacher?
Becoming a Waldorf teacher is about inner exploration and growth. It’s about a commitment to developing and cultivating your own humanity and a commitment to and capacity for growing and inspiring your students’ individual, innate potential. Being a Waldorf teacher requires being interested in and willing to work hard at relationships: with your students, their parents, and your colleagues. It is about developing forces of creativity and imagination, both within yourself and your students, and working toward the balanced development of body, mind, and spirit. Essentially, it is about becoming human.
To assist this process, courses on inner development, child development, and artistic development, along with curriculum-specific courses, are woven throughout the Waldorf teacher training curriculum.
When considering becoming a Waldorf teacher, it is important to note that Waldorf teaching is not about being the best at everything, but about continually striving to become better.
What are the steps I need to take to become a Waldorf teacher?
First, get to know Waldorf education. What sets it apart from other forms of education, and what is the specific role of the Waldorf teacher? Sunbridge’s “Waldorf Weekend” workshop (check calendar for dates) is a hands-on introduction to the foundations and fundamentals of Waldorf education designed for new and prospective Waldorf teachers and others. Many Waldorf schools offer opportunities to visit classrooms or attend info sessions in order to see this education up close, or you could look into a “Foundation Studies” course or study group to better understand Rudolf Steiner’s insights that lie behind the Waldorf philosophy. (Note: While Sunbridge teacher education applicants are expected to have some familiarity with Waldorf education, Foundation Studies is built into our programs’ curricula and is not a prerequisite for admission.)
Then, identify the age group you're called to teach. Waldorf teaching—and teacher training—is separated into three main age/grade groups: Early Childhood (birth to age 7), Elementary (grades 1–8), and High School (grades 9–12). Or, if you’re a subject specialist, you may be interested in teaching Elementary Music or World Languages & Cultures. Each area is an important component of Waldorf education, but the one you are drawn to is an individual impulse and choice.
Next, explore the various programs offered by AWSNA- and/or WECAN-member teacher training institutes. What are their formats and philosophies, curriculum and faculty, location and cost? Do they cater to a local clientele, or can you live farther away? Sunbridge’s teacher education diploma programs are presented in a low-residency format designed for working adults who are based anywhere, blending infrequent on-campus sessions with online coursework and providing opportunities for fieldwork and mentoring/advising.
Attend an admissions event to learn more about the specific institute/s and program you’re considering. Sunbridge offers online “Meet & Greets” three times a year in which you can join our program directors and program graduates in conversation to learn about our specific program experiences. If those dates don’t work for you, or if you are still uncertain as to which area of teaching you want to pursue, we are happy to offer more individual guidance. Just ask!
Apply to the institute and program of your choice. At Sunbridge, applications open October 1 for the following summer. All three diploma programs enroll every year, while our subject teacher programs alternate every-other-year enrollment.
What are the entrance requirements?
At Sunbridge, applicants are expected to have some familiarity with Waldorf education and anthroposophy. Beyond that, the educational prerequisites are these:
Early Childhood Teacher Education: High school diploma
Elementary Teacher Education: 60 college credits or be enrolled in a bachelor's program and on track to complete these 60 credits before your Sunbridge graduation
High School Teacher Education: Bachelor's degree
World Languages & Cultures: High school diploma and proficiency in the language which you intend to teach
Elementary Music Teacher Education: High school diploma and proficient musicianship (either as an instrumentalist or vocalist) with an ability to read music and an understanding of music theory
How long does it take?
Sunbridge’s low-residency Early Childhood, Elementary, and High School Teacher Education diploma programs are completed in 25 months. The two subject teacher certificate programs (World Languages & Cultures and Elementary Music) require three weeks of on-campus study, plus one week of fieldwork.
What does it cost?
Quality Waldorf teacher preparation is an investment, and Sunbridge is prepared to assist you with financial aid should you require it to pursue your studies. You can read about available sources of aid in this blog article under the heading “What does teacher education cost, and how do people pay for it?” or go to our website to learn more.
How do I apply?
Click here to set up your Sunbridge account and begin the application process.
How can I find out more?
Contact us! We’re here to help.
“This has been one of the best experiences of my life. Thank you from me and all the children I hope to teach.” ~ Waldorf Elementary Teacher Education graduate
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