What Should Waldorf Teachers Actually Do During the Summer?

Summer is a season of rest—but it's also an opportunity to lay the foundation for a joyful, well-prepared school year.

In this episode, I share the approach I've developed over more than twenty years of Waldorf teaching for easing into summer planning without sacrificing the rest and renewal that every teacher needs.

Rather than jumping straight into lesson plans, I suggest four simple ways to begin:

• Gather the planning supplies that make the process enjoyable.

• Build a clear picture of child development before planning content.

• Envision the rhythm and structure of the school year.

• Gather meaningful resources that inspire your own understanding before turning to ready-made lesson plans.

I also talk about why developing your own relationship to the curriculum is one of the most important parts of Waldorf teaching, and how thoughtful preparation leads to more intuitive, responsive teaching throughout the year.

Resources Mentioned

• Summer Vision — My summer planning course for Waldorf teachers

• My favorite summer planning supplies

• School as a Journey by Torin Finser

• The Educational Tasks and Content of the Steiner Waldorf Curriculum ("the Yellow Book")

• Rudolf Steiner:

  • The Foundations of Human Experience

  • Practical Advice to Teachers

  • Discussions with Teachers