2027 cohort
Pedagogical Mentoring, Coaching, and Professional Development Pathways for Waldorf Teachers and Pedagogical Leaders
Bring the wisdom of your teaching experience into a new role of service. A ten-month, low-residency, certificate-earning program inviting experienced teachers and leaders to deepen their capacities and learn best practices for guiding mentoring, coaching, professional evaluation and pedagogical inspiration.
The program
Bringing the wisdom of pedagogical leadership and inspiration to your school and to a wider network of schools.
This low-residency, certificate-earning training is designed for experienced teachers who wish to deepen their skills in pedagogical mentoring, coaching, and professional evaluation, as well as learning best practices for leading and supporting the ongoing journey of personal and professional growth through pedagogical inspiration. Over ten months, participants engage in a comprehensive training that strengthens personal capacities and prepares them to better support practicing teachers in Waldorf schools today.
The program combines virtual and in-person learning. Participants meet once a month on Saturdays with program faculty, and for one week in person in the summer. Through a focus on best practices, fresh perspectives, and innovative approaches, it prepares graduates to offer mentorship, professional development guidance, evaluative support, and pedagogical inspiration to schools seeking to support their new and developing Waldorf educators.
What it brings
Summer residencies in Wilton, New Hampshire.
Schedule · 2027
Eight online Saturdays, 12 to 2 PM Eastern, and one residency week.
with Karen Atkinson
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev: Exploring Form Drawing for Focus and Balance
with Sven Saar
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev: Exploring the Color Wheel with Pastels
with Sven Saar
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev: Exploring the Soul Qualities of Color through Painting
with Karen Atkinson
Artistic Movement with Malina Stoychev: Balance and Visual Exercises
with Sarah Nelson
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev: Exploring Biography Work through Drawing and Painting
with Karen Atkinson
Eurythmy with Alexandra Spadea · Artistic Engagement with Narsingh Khalsa
with Carol Bärtges
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev: Exploring Form Drawing and Free Hand Geometry
with Lori Kran
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev: The Magic of Social Color Exercises
with Karen Atkinson
Travel and lodging for the residency are not included in tuition.
Program director
Karen is a dedicated educator and leader in Waldorf education, with over 35 years of experience as an early childhood educator, grade school class teacher, pedagogical leader, and adult educator. A graduate of Antioch University New England, she holds a Master’s in Education. She directs the Mentor Training Program and the Renewal Courses and serves as the Program Coordinator for the Waldorf Leadership and Community Development Program at the Center for Anthroposophy.
Questions about the program: [email protected]
Faculty · 2027
Over 35 years as an early childhood educator, class teacher, pedagogical leader and adult educator.
Class teacher for 30 years; now works full time in teacher education in the UK, Germany, Australia and the US.
Class teacher at Haleakala Waldorf School in Maui and a regional leader on AWSNA’s Leadership Council.
High school literature and drama teacher at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City.
Coordinator of PITEP and former pedagogical director of Shining Mountain Waldorf School.
More than 35 years of Waldorf teaching; class teacher at the Emerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill, NC.
Eurythmist trained in Dornach and Spring Valley; teaches grades 7–12 at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City.
Waldorf educator and artist with 18 years of teaching fine arts; class teacher at the Waldorf School of Princeton.
What our program participants are saying
“The relationships I built through the summer Mentor Training are going to be a meaningful support as I move into the next school year. It is a joy to work with others who have taken on roles in pedagogical leadership at their own schools.”
“The Mentor Program is the medicine needed for our times. We were given both practical tools and insights, as well as inspiration for personal growth and introspection. This program is necessary to continue to help Waldorf education move and grow.”
“The whole experience of the week was inspirational and uplifting. I really appreciated the generosity of our wise teachers.”
“The enveloping of eurythmy, singing, speech, and colleagues was like a bath of good will and beauty! What an instructive balm it was!”
“The inclusivity and caring nature of all of the staff and community filled my heart and will guide me through my upcoming year.”
“Fulfilling, restorative, inspiring!”
Figures from the anonymous residency reflection forms: 20 responses in 2026 (rated out of 10) and 27 in 2025 (rated out of 5).
Free workshop: The Art of the Mentoring Conversation
A free online workshop with Karen Atkinson, Director of Mentor Training. Hear how the year unfolds and bring your questions.
Tuition
or ten monthly payments of $265
Tuition includes all online sessions, workshops, and the week-long in-person residency. Travel and lodging for the residency are not included.
Limited scholarships are available; please contact Karen.
Registration is open now. Questions go to Karen Atkinson at [email protected].
Questions
Experienced Waldorf educators who want to strengthen their skills in mentoring, coaching and professional development; teachers and leaders who want to serve as internal mentors within their faculty and beyond; and seasoned educators and pedagogical chairs ready to bring their experience to a new role of service. All realms of Waldorf education are covered: early childhood, grades, high school and special subjects.
A Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate from an AWSNA member institute or the equivalent; a minimum of five full-time years of teaching in an independent or public Waldorf school; and a letter of recommendation from your current school leadership. If you are not currently teaching, two letters of recommendation from schools where you have previously taught or mentored. Questions about prerequisites can go to Karen Atkinson.
Eight Saturdays online, from January 23 to November 13, 2027, plus the in-person residency from Sunday, June 27 to Friday, July 2, 2027, in Wilton, New Hampshire. The online sessions meet from 12 to 2 PM Eastern.
Tuition of $2,650 includes all online sessions, workshops and the week-long in-person residency. Travel and lodging for the residency are not included.
Choose the ten-payment option at checkout. The first payment of $265 is charged when you register, and the other nine are charged automatically to the same card on the same day of each following month. The total is the same $2,650.
Canadian participants receive 20% off automatically at checkout.
Limited scholarships are available. Please contact the program director, Karen Atkinson, at [email protected].
Requests received at least 30 days before the registration deadline will result in a full refund, less a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted if cancellation is received within 30 days of the program start date or while in session.
Register
Registration
The registration form is loading. Tuition is $2,650, or ten monthly payments of $265.
Questions about enrolling? Write to Karen Atkinson at [email protected].