Waldorf Learning Support
Bringing Love to Learning for a Lifetime.
3-year Intensive Learning support training
CYCLE 4: NOVEMBER 6-9, 2025--JOIN US!
Program Overview
THIS CERTIFICATE COURSE IS A THREE-YEAR INTENSIVE TRAINING to prepare you to be a Learning Support Teacher in a Steiner Waldorf School or private practice. The WLS certificate of completion meets the requirements for a Learning Support Teacher at most Steiner Waldorf Schools worldwide.
WLS OFFERS A RIGOROUS CURRICULUM (see ‘course content’ below), MENTORING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, to prepare you to step with confidence into the field upon completion.
THIS THREE-YEAR PROGRAM CAN BE ACCESSED FULLY ONLINE WITH THE OPTION TO PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON FOR THE SUMMER SESSIONS. Two sessions are online during the school year so that minimal time is taken from your work with students/clients and no costs accrued for travel and lodging. These are offered in the fall and winter months. The summer session can be accessed online or has the option to participate in-person.
Your training doesn't end there
WE WANT OUR GRADUATES TO BE PREPARED to meet the students in their care with the most up-to-date information available as well as to continue to deepen their knowledge and skills over their teaching career.
WLS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
– Access to a worldwide network of WLS (RSC) alumni.
– Access to international chat group of Steiner Waldorf educational support teachers.
– Ongoing professional development opportunities–keep your work relevant and up-to-date through private access to website materials and a generous alumni 50% pricing for most WLS events, conferences and coursework/open classes.
The Program
Three-Year Intensive Training
To provide time for study, to thoroughly learn and master the movements, paintings and drawings, while simultaneously developing mastery to observe, assess and determine best supports for students in your care, the program takes place over three years. You can access the program 100% online or choose a hybrid option for an in-person learning experience.
ONLINE ACCESS: All nine-sessions of this three-year program can be accessed online in live zoom sessions using a combination of working in full and small groups, and through lecture, activity and breakout groups, for both program and conference experiences. This includes additional practice or supplemental sessions as needed. Working online provides the opportunity to meet with you frequently in small, digestible periods for the entire three-year program. Mentoring, although encouraged to be in-person where possible, can also be completed online.
HYBRID OPTION–IN-PERSON LEARNING: The summer sessions—one per year—are offered with an in-person learning option. You can travel to northern Illinois and experience in-person learning. Note that mentoring in years 2 and 3 offer the opportunity to work in-person in a 1:1 or small group working relationship (where available).
In support of your success
OFFICE HOURS–we make ourselves accessible to you throughout the year or when you request an appointment with us to support you on your journey in becoming a learning support teacher.
YOU WILL WORK WITH A STUDY PARTNER for regular check-ins in order to complete assignments and with whom to engage for student-to-student support.
MENTORING BEGINS FROM THE SECOND YEAR when there is work with a mentor to support and evaluate your progress towards timely completion of assignments including your third year Capstone Project: a student case study.
Course Content
MOVEMENT & ARTISTIC EXERCISES
Neuro-developmental movement: early movement pattern integration
Extra Lesson movement, drawing & painting exercises
Other integrative drawing & movement exercises
Children’s drawings: ‘reading’ & interpretation
Observation skills: ‘reading’ & interpreting children’s posture, movement & behavior
Whole class learning support sessions: design & implementation
Color insights through painting exercises
ASSESSMENT & PRACTICE
Screenings: school entry (g1 & up) and second grade–including planning, implementing, parent/guardian and teacher roles, reporting, interventions.
Assessments for individuals (8 years & up): including practical process, classroom observations, findings, reporting, interventions.
Individual lesson: design & implementation
Case history study
Record keeping
WLS participant individual mentoring: Years 2 & 3
WLS participant practicum/case study: capstone project in Year 3
THEORETICAL STUDY
Human development: Anthroposophical perspectives & ‘traditional’ considerations–including sensory-motor & anatomical insights, fine motor development, spiritual archetypes, evolution of the earth and human beings.
Sleep: support for learning
Early movement pattern (reflex) activity
Development of first seven years: foundation for learning & skills attainment
Causes of learning & behavior difficulties
Twelve senses: anthroposophical and ‘traditional’ perspectives
Temperaments
Constitutional soul types
Developmental thresholds: 7-year, 9-year-, 12-year-, and adolescent changes
Developmental insights: Audrey McAllen, Karl König, Rudolf Steiner & more
SUPPORT FOR STUDENT, TEACHERS AND FAMILIES
Creative tutoring: math & language arts
Child study: facilitation
Care group: development, tasks, supportive role
Individual student learning plans: design & coordination
Classroom accommodations
Intervention/collaboration: with other professionals
Health & well-being: nutrition, sleep, rhythms
Home program: Integrative movement design
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Proposals & contracts
Forms & records
Classroom management: working with small and large groups
Working with groups (adults/colleagues): workshop & in-service presentation design
WLS Alumni benefits: networking, alumni-only events, WLS, LLC events 50% or more discounted pricing
SELF DEVELOPMENT
Inner work
Home program: self-integrative hygienic movement
Self-evaluation & reflection
Partners: in-program partner work
WLS mentor support: in-program mentor support & evaluation
“The wonder is that the skills and capacities belonging to the twelvefold structural human being that the individual has not achieved during the first seven years can be acquired in later years…This recapitulation of the creation of the human being forms the foundation of capacities in adult life.” ~ Audrey McAllen
Course Schedule: Cycle 4--Starting November 2025*
*WLS, LLC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE SCHEDULE AS NEEDED
YEAR ONE
SESSION I: NOVEMBER 2025
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: November 6-9 4 full days
2. Small group Movement practice; 4 single Saturdays–2-hour session each: Dates: TBA
SESSION II: FEBRUARY 2026
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: February 14-17 4 full days
2. One-day full group lectures + small group session (dates TBA—1 each in March or April and May):
April TBA
May TBA
SESSION III: JULY 2026
1. Summer Conference—part of session III that is opened to public:
July 25-26 2 full days
Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions:
July 28-31 4 full days No class July 27
YEAR ONE NOTES:
Extra dates may be added for movement practice (as needed).
Rotating Support Partner: program participant will be your partner with whom to plan, practice, study & reflect on a regular schedule to support your efforts to complete assignments between sessions.
Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment.
YEAR TWO
SESSION IV: NOVEMBER 2026
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: November 12-15 4 full days
2. One-day full group lectures + small group session: TBA 1 full day
SESSION V: FEBRUARY 2027
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: February 13-16 4 full days
2. One-day full group lecture and/or practice (as needed): TBA 1 full day
SESSION VI: JULY 2027
1. Summer conference:
July 24-25 2 full days
2. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions:
July 27-30 4 full days No class July 26
YEAR TWO NOTES:
Year 2 Mentoring: experience Extra Lesson in action by observing a mentor(s). In-person observation is strongly recommended.* Online observation will be offered to supplement in-person observation.
*Participant responsible for all expenses to visit mentor(s).
Research Report: Written report + oral presentation–research an approved topic relevant to our work. Written report describing what you learned; share what you learned with the group.
Rotating Support Partner: program participant will be your partner with whom to plan, practice, study & reflect on a regular schedule to support your efforts to complete assignments between sessions.
Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment.
YEAR THREE
SESSION VII: NOVEMBER 2027
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: November 11-14 4 full days
2. One-day full group lectures + small group session: TBA 1 full day
SESSION VIII: FEBRUARY 2028
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: February 4-days TBA 4 full days (will coincide with Waldorf February winter break, first four days, Saturday-Tuesday)
2. One-day full group lectures: TBA 1 full day
SESSION IX: JULY 2028
1. Summer conference:
July 22-23 2 full days
2. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: July 25-28 4 full days No class July 24
3. Graduation in-person**:
July 28, 2028
YEAR THREE NOTES:
Year Three Mentoring: combination of video/on-line observation and in-person consultation* for guidance as you begin to implement the work.
*participant responsible for all expenses of visiting mentor.
Capstone Project: Student Case Study–work with two students over the course of a school year; write a case study on one of the students; present your case study for the group.
Rotating Support Partner: program participant will be your partner with whom to plan, practice, study & reflect on a regular schedule to support your efforts to complete assignments between sessions.
Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment
**Graduation: online participation permitted.
Course schedule cycle 3*
*WLS, LLC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE SCHEDULE AS NEEDED
YEAR ONE
SESSION I: NOVEMBER 2023
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: November 8 evening only November 9-12 4 full days
2. Small group Movement practice; 4 single Saturdays–2-hour session each:
December 2, 9
Jan 6, 13
SESSION II: FEBRUARY 2024
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: February 17-20 4 full days
2. One-day full group lectures + small group session (dates TBA—1 each in March or April and May):
April 13, 2024
May 4, 2024
SESSION III: JULY 2024
1. Summer Conference—part of session III that is opened to public:
July 20-21 2 full days
Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions:
July 23-26 4 full days No class July 22
YEAR ONE NOTES:
Extra dates may be added for movement practice (as needed).
Rotating Support Partner: program participant will be your partner with whom to plan, practice, study & reflect on a regular schedule to support your efforts to complete assignments between sessions.
Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment.
YEAR TWO
SESSION IV: NOVEMBER 2024
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: November 7-10 4 full days
2. One-day full group lectures + small group session: TBA 1 full day
SESSION V: FEBRUARY 2025
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: February 15-18 4 full days
2. One-day full group lecture and/or practice (as needed): TBA 1 full day
SESSION VI: JULY 2025
1. Summer conference:
July 26-27 2 full days
2. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions:
July 29-Aug 1 4 full days No class July 28
YEAR TWO NOTES:
Year 2 Mentoring: experience Extra Lesson in action by observing a mentor(s). In-person observation is strongly recommended.* Online observation will be offered to supplement in-person observation.
*Participant responsible for all expenses to visit mentor(s).
Research Report: Written report + oral presentation–research an approved topic relevant to our work. Written report describing what you learned; share what you learned with the group.
Rotating Support Partner: program participant will be your partner with whom to plan, practice, study & reflect on a regular schedule to support your efforts to complete assignments between sessions.
Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment.
YEAR THREE
SESSION VII: NOVEMBER 2025
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: November 6-9 4 full days
2. One-day full group lectures + small group session: TBA 1 full day
SESSION VIII: FEBRUARY 2026
1. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: February 14-17 4 full days
2. One-day full group lectures: TBA 1 full day
SESSION IX: JULY 2026
1. Summer conference:
July 25-26 2 full days
2. Full group intensive: lectures + small group sessions: July 28-31 4 full days No class July 27
3. Graduation in-person**:
July 31, 2026
YEAR THREE NOTES:
Year Three Mentoring: combination of video/on-line observation and in-person consultation* for guidance as you begin to implement the work.
*participant responsible for all expenses of visiting mentor.
Capstone Project: Student Case Study–work with two students over the course of a school year; write a case study on one of the students; present your case study for the group.
Rotating Support Partner: program participant will be your partner with whom to plan, practice, study & reflect on a regular schedule to support your efforts to complete assignments between sessions.
Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment
**Graduation: online participation permitted.
“The development of the body is such that its functions are carried on as though unconsciously. It is only when faculties work unconsciously that they are right; they are reliable only when what I have to do is implanted into the dexterity of my hands and is accomplished of itself, without need for further reflection. When practice has become habit—then I have achieved securely what I have to achieve through my body.”
~ Rudolf Steiner 1923
comments from alumni
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