Waldorf Learning Support

Kris Boshell, M.A.

Co-Manager WLS, LLC

I discovered Rudolf Steiner’s work in 2003 as my two children began their Waldorf Education. I earned my certificate for Anthroposophical training for Waldorf Grades Teaching and Remedial Education from Rudolf Steiner College (RSC) in 2009, and M.A. in Psychology from Sonoma State University in 2013. From 2007 I was a private contractor and instructor in Northern California for Waldorf private and public charter schools, and RSC Waldorf teacher training programs. Currently I am a Learning Support consultant for Chicago Waldorf School and a Learning Support teacher at DaVinci Waldorf School where I have the opportunity to work frequently with Extra Lesson in the classroom with large groups of students. I consult internationally as a mentor, evaluator, teacher training instructor and conference presenter for learning support for individual and classroom work. I serve on the Core Group and teach for the Waldorf Teacher Institute of Chicago and am a member of the Anthroposophical Society.

Ingun Schneider, M.A.

Co-Manager WLS, LLC

I trained and worked as a physiotherapist from the mid-1960s, became a certified Lamaze instructor in the mid-70s and by the early 80s trained at Rudolf Steiner College (RSC) to become a Waldorf teacher. During this time I studied with Audrey McAllen who from then on guided my work with Extra Lesson until her passing in 2010—including my eight class teaching years at Sacramento Waldorf School, my private learning support practice and as an educational consultant and instructor in Steiner Waldorf communities worldwide. In 1991 I co-developed the Remedial Educational Support Program at RSC serving as instructor and co-director until the graduation of its 12th and last cohort in 2017. During the 1990s I worked closely with Audrey McAllen on revising her main text The Extra Lesson. This collaboration resulted in the edition first published by Rudolf Steiner College Press in 1998. The latest edition was published in 2013. During these decades I also wrote several articles in Renewal, AWSNA’s publication made available to parents in Waldorf schools. I am a graduate of the Spacial Dynamics Institute. I continue to consult and teach in Extra Lesson trainings around the world. I am a member of the Anthroposophical Society.

Joep Eikenboom

At 20, while studying to be a teacher, I grew disappointed in the education system. My biggest question was: How can education bring health and strength to the child for life, so that it's not just transferring intellectual knowledge like checking off a list?

My piano teacher introduced me to the Waldorf School. After working in a Roman Catholic school for three years, I became a Grades teacher at the Waldorf School in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I met Audrey McAllen six years later, at the summer course where she was introduced by her Dutch colleague and friend Else Göttgens. It turned out that Audrey McAllen could answer my questions about the children of our time. I had the opportunity to work as an Educational Support teacher for eight years, focusing on The Extra Lesson--the concept Audrey McAllen developed from anthroposophy. In consultation with other colleagues and with Audrey McAllen herself, I deepened my knowledge and experience with Waldorf pedagogy and Extra Lesson. Since then, I had the opportunity to share those experiences and research with colleagues in the United States, Brazil, Germany, Hungary, Finland, Spain, Japan, Belgium and France and, of course, the Netherlands. I recorded my research which resulted in Foundations of the Extra Lesson, but I must honestly say that this is all an ongoing work in process. I also give lectures and workshops at conferences for Educational Support teachers at the Goetheanum in Dornach.

Jo-ann Climenhage, ph.d.

I am an educational support consultant and certified Waldorf Grades and Learning Support teacher with over 25 years experience in education. I earned my Grades and Remedial certification at Rudolf Steiner College (RSC) in 2005, then became a class teacher for a full eight years at Bright Water Waldorf School. In 2013, I began consulting with schools in the US, Canada and Mexico completing 1st grade readiness screenings, individual, 2nd and 5th grade assessments, faculty workshops, support program development, mentoring and teacher evaluations. I was an instructor in the Remedial program, Summer Art of Teaching, Public School Institute, and Teacher Training at RSC; I taught in the Educational Support Program in the Philippines for the Sofia Institute and I am a faculty member for Sebastopol Summer Art of Teaching.

Cristina Drews M.S. Ed.

Language Arts & WLS Mentor

We are happy to introduce Cristina Drews--a Cycle 8 alum of our own Remedial Educational Support program at Rudolf Steiner College. An educator since 1975, Cristina earned her M.S. Ed. in Reading Instruction & Curriculum Development from California State University. She has taught in elementary schools, adult literacy programs, teacher trainings, and advises families and faculty on children’s literature. She has worked at independent & public Waldorf schools since 1985. Cristina mentors teachers of the early grades through Gradalis Teacher Education. She is a support services consultant for regional Waldorf Schools and maintains a private practice for students with sensorimotor & academic learning needs at the Denver Center for Anthroposophic Therapies in Denver, Colorado.

Erica Eikenboom-van nierop

therapeutic painting

I am a visual artist (sculpting, drawing and painting), finished my training at the Rotterdam Art Academy (now: Willem de Kooning Academy) and created pieces of art in a variety of techniques, and sculptures.

At a later stage, I took paining lessons with Liane Collot d’Herbois, and finished the training for anthroposophical art therapy at the Emerald Foundation in The Hague. Since then I have been working as an art therapist and painting therapist with adults and children.

Then I discovered that the work of Audrey McAllen and of Liane Collot d’Herbois are very closely connected, and through this connection developed several painting exercises that could be added to the Extra Lesson repertoire.

Brian Gray

Madonna series, rudolf steiner's works

I have been a student of Anthroposophy since 1976, and of astrology since 1966. I was a teacher of subjects related to Anthroposophy and star wisdom at Rudolf Steiner College for 38 years. I worked as an architect and environmental planner before coming to RSC in 1979. I am also the author of several star wisdom articles (published in the Journal for Star Wisdom) and a presenter of several video courses on www.WiseCosmos.org.

Karen Nani Apana, PH.D.

biography

I have been teaching Biography work for over 25 years and currently have a private practice for Biography counseling in San Francisco. I also mentor and consults with Waldorf Schools in the Bay Area and abroad. I taught in the Rudolf Steiner College Teacher Training Program for 20 years and retired from the San Francisco Waldorf High School, where I taught for 16 years and was the high school mentor. Recently I have been a guest teacher in the Waldorf Learning Support Program. I have been a student of Anthroposophy for over 40 years and run Anthroposophical study groups. I also have an interest in supporting families to have home deaths, vigils and self-directed funerals.

I can be contacted at naniapana@gmail.com

Helen Lubin

Therapeutic Speech

I completed my training at Novalis School for Speech and Drama and at School for Speech and Artistic Therapeutic Speech (Germany); post-graduate year Goetheanum, Switzerland. Resident speech artist and therapist Karl-Schubert-Schule, Stuttgart; instructor School for Pedagogical and Therapeutic Speech in Dornach, Switzerland; Rudolf Steiner College faculty 1992-2016; founder Speech Arts in Waldorf Schools in North America (25th year), providing professional development, work with classes, individual teachers and students, parents, staff, and with EC, Grades and HS faculties. Speech arts in Waldorf teacher education programs; therapeutic speech arts with children and adults; cofounder and faculty of Steiner School of Speech Arts (professional training in speech arts and the renewal of the spoken word). Freelance editor and translator. Completed Camphill Seminar in Curative Education - 10 years’ experience in this field; BS Special Educational Studies; BS Speech Pathology and Audiology; MA Human Development; TESOL certification.

Alice Stamm

Therapeutic Eurythmy, Curative Education

I am a eurythmist who began my training in Eckwalden, Germany and finished with Else Klink in Stuttgart, Germany. I also received a degree in therapeutic eurythmy from the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. I have been teaching eurythmy since 1975. I returned to the United States in 1978 and have taught adults and children in many capacities ever since. After teaching in Kimberton, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California, I taught at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks, California for many years. I presently teach in the Gradalis teacher training program and in local public and private Waldorf schools in Sacramento and Davis. I am a founding member and former president of the Eurythmy Association of North America and the Section for the Performing Arts Council in America. I have enjoyed working with Brian Gray in his presentations for Wise Cosmos.

foundations for reading in Waldorf Education -- Susan R. Johnson md, faap nov 2019 San Francisco

Part 1: Sensory Foundations for Development of Phonetic Based Reading with Simultaneous Inner Picturing

Part 2: Assessing & Addressing Reading--for All Ages

Part 3: From Cradle to Quest--Development of Imaginative Capacities as Foundation for Soul Consciousness

Susan R Johnson, MD , FAAP is a mother, Anthrophosophically-trained Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrician, and certified Waldorf School Teacher. She has a clinical practice in Colfax, California. where she evaluates children who are having developmental and/or learning challenges. She has practiced as a behavioral and developmental pediatrician for more than 30 years and consults and lectures at Waldorf Schools throughout the United States and Canada. Her website at SusanRJohnsonMD.com freely provides more than 50 articles for parents and teachers on parenting, education, nutrition, and health.

changing nature of childhood Health & illness-- Thomas Cowan MD nov 2018 San Francisco/chicago

foundations for reading in Waldorf Education -- Susan R. Johnson md, faap nov 2019 San Francisco

Dr. Cowan, a world renowned author & lecturer will lecture on his book: Vaccines, Autoimmunity & the Changing Nature of Childhood Illness. He will describe his research & experience with:

- How vaccines affect a child's immature immune system

- Examples of symptoms & illnesses that commonly result

- Suggestions for how to support the best possible health in our children

Thomas Cowan, MD has studied & written about many subjects in medicine including the heart, cancer, autoimmune disease, nutrition, Anthroposophical medicine & herbal medicine. Publications include: Human Heart, Cosmic Heart, The Fourfold Path to Healing (principle author), Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care (co-authored with Sally Fallon) & his latest book: Cancer and the New Biology of Water. He served as vice president of the Physicians Association for Anthroposophic Medicine & is a founding board member of the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF). He writes the “Ask the Doctor” column in the WAPF quarterly magazine & lectures throughout North America. He developed Dr. Cowan’s Garden organic vegetable powders. He has three grown children, and lives & practices medicine in San Francisco, California.

Thriving through illness: home care for supporting our children--Trish Mcphee msn, fnp-C nov 2018

THE NUTRITIONAL WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL DIETS -- jessica prentice July 25, 2023 zoom & nov 2017 San

Workshop topics include:

- Part 1: The Importance of Fever--how to support our children through this essential healing symptom, including how to apply a leg compress.

- Part 2: The Importance of Convalescence--How to manage acute illness to bring renewed strength, including supportive healing measures such as how to make a nutritional bath

Trish McPhee: is a registered nurse since 1993 and a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2005. She has a passion for the young and old and thriving through illness. She is certified in Anthroposophic medicine and as a GAPS practitioner. She has worked in an Anthroposophic medical clinic, ICU, Emergency, Private practice. She is currently teaching registered nursing at a community college, providing palliative acute care at an inpatient hospital and teaching workshops throughout the US.

THE NUTRITIONAL WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL DIETS -- jessica prentice July 25, 2023 zoom & nov 2017 San

Workshop topics include:

- studies & travels of Weston A Price

- 11 healthy characteristics of traditional diets

- Cultured foods for increased enzyme/probiotic activity

- Maximized nutrition from seeds & grains

- Pasture-raised sourcing for meat, dairy & eggs

- Incorporating traditional fats & healthy fats

- Implementing nutrition in today's busy homes

- nutrition/healing diets for ASD/AD(H)D

- pleasing picky eaters

Jessica Prentice: After graduating from Brown University in 1991 & from The Natural Gourmet Cookery School in New York City in 1996, Jessica worked as a healing-foods chef and a food educator. In 2006, she published Full Moon Feast: Food and the Hunger for Connection, a book which mythopoetically explores the connections between the environment, human communities, health, & traditional cycles through food. She also co-created The Local Foods Wheel and co-founded Three Stone Hearth, a local food business dedicated to sustainability, nourishment & community. After working in organizational leadership at Three Stone Hearth for 13 years, in July 2018 she shifted gears, and took a job as the School Director at Berkeley Rose Waldorf School in California. Jessica is also a Waldorf parent & has a deep interest in Anthroposophy.