3-year Intensive Learning support training

become a learning support teacher

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This certificate course is a three-year intensive training to prepare you to be a Learning Support Teacher either in a Steiner Waldorf School or private practice. The WLS certificate of completion for this course meets the job requirements for a Learning Support Teacher at most Steiner Waldorf Schools worldwide.

WLS offers a rigorous curriculum (see 'course content' below), mentoring & professional development, to prepare you to step with confidence into the field upon completion.

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

In response to your comments expressing wishes for continued accessibility for all while maintaining our thorough approach to the work, WLS has designed the upcoming program with the following solution: The three-year program will be hybrid, meaning partly online and partly in-person.

The online part is offered in two of the three sessions each year–in November and February. These are the two sessions, along with separate dates for short meetings between these, that take place during the school year–designed efficiently so that minimal time is taken from work with students/clients and no costs accrued for travel and lodging. Working online provides the opportunity to meet frequently in small, digestible periods for the entire three-year program.

The in-person part is offered in July for one of the three sessions per year. It is the longest session each year and will be during good travel weather to our location, so we will have a good amount of time to get to know each other and do practical work together. For those who choose not to travel to the summer sessions, these sessions can also be accessed fully online. Please contact us for details.

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. Online classes will take place on ZOOM using a combination of working in full and small groups, and through lecture, activity and breakout groups, for both program and conference experiences. Mentoring is ideally in-person (where possible), however online mentoring will be offered as needed. The in-person program will take place in a beautiful location west of Chicago, Illinois–with easy access from Chicago O’Hare Airport.

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 be assigned a support partner–another participant in the group–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--The topics covered are developed and deepened over the course of three-years. See an overview of course content below.

"In child study, teachers usually focus on the behavioral problems and their psychological cause. Today there are causes that stem from a lack of proper development of the first seven years...The Extra Lesson assessment will show whether or not the first seven years development has been properly completed...[A] finding in neuropsychology is that the unfinished stages of the development of the first seven years do not correct themselves during the child's later education. The stages have to be reacapitulated in a one-to-one situation." ~ Audrey McAllen

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

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.

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

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.

Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment.

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

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.

Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment

**Graduation: online participation permitted.

CYCLE 4 OPEN HOUSE COMING SOON

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).

Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment.

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

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:

*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.

Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment.

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

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.

Office hours: Dates TBA or by appointment

**Graduation: online participation permitted.

"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

comments from alumni

"I was graduated from RSC Remedial Education Course Cycle 5 in November 2003 and have been teaching the Extra Lesson as an Educational Support Teacher at Waldorf Schools since then. I feel the training gave me a solid foundation to begin my work with a clear purpose deeply rooted in Anthroposophy. I have been in touch with the program through Ingun and later through Arcturus when Kris came into the picture. Every time I had a chance to be part of the workshops or conferences, I always learned new things. The program seems to be constantly evolving and so is my teaching. I appreciate the opportunity the program has been giving to the alumni to reinspire and connect with each other."

~ Takako Kamura RSC5

"The Waldorf Learning Support Program is a rich and deep dive into how to support and guide children’s incarnation. For Extra Lesson wisdom I continually bow to my mentor, Ingun Schneider, and continue to return to Kris Boshell and Jo-Ann Climenhage for refinement of my skills. I highly recommend these experienced, wise and heart-centered teachers."

~ Amber Hanlin RSC12

Cristina Drews MS ED. RSC Cycle 8

“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

waldorf learning support, LLC

CHICAGO

info@waldorflearningsupport.org

Waldorf Learning Support

Bringing Love to Learning for a Lifetime

3-year Intensive Learning support training

become a learning support teacher

Course Content

Course Schedule: Cycle 4--Starting November 2025*

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

CYCLE 4 OPEN HOUSE COMING SOON

Course schedule cycle 3*

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

*WLS, LLC reserves the right to make changes or additions to the schedule as needed

comments from alumni

contact us -- Three-year intensive

waldorf learning support, LLC

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