This trip gave our Foundation Studies students an opportunity to learn about both the Camphill movement and Biodynamic farming. Students walked through the forest, visited the orchard, green houses and pastures, fed cows and goats. Our host, Allan Kuhn, demonstrated the equipment at the garden shed and explained the seven biodynamic preparations. Students participated in mixing and stirring Valerian preparation, which was later applied on the farm along with other preparations. 

Allan Kuhn is a support worker at Camphill, a biodynamic farmer at Camphill, and also a chair of The Society for Biodynamic Farming and Gardening in Ontario.

Thanks to Mila Chebur for the photos and story.

Tuition Fees for Foundation Studies Encounter will be increasing May 21st. Register before then to save.

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A Guelph teacher is touched after receiving the prestigious Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award on Thursday. 

Henry Muth, a Grade 6 teacher at Trillium Waldorf School, was nominated for the award by former student Maya Linsley, who he taught from grades one to eight. 

鈥淢r. Muth taught us every single day for eight years, basically every subject under the sun. We used to joke the only thing (he) can鈥檛 do is dance and French,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 definitely the most influential role model in my life, aside from my parents.鈥� 

In fact, she said he was kind of like a second dad. 

鈥淚 can鈥檛 overstate the influence that teachers like Mr. Muth have on students like me. I鈥檓 not the only one that has benefitted from his superb mentorship and guidance and just overall support in every area of my life,鈥� she said while presenting Muth the award. 

鈥淪o as I present this award today, it鈥檚 not just on behalf of myself, but all my former classmates,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e all feel the same. You haven鈥檛 just changed our lives, but you helped us co-create our lives and guided us into the ability to make our own way through the world.鈥� 

Linsley, 22, received the Loran Scholarship in 2020 鈥� Canada鈥檚 largest and most comprehensive four-year undergraduate award, valued at $100,000. It鈥檚 granted to young Canadians who demonstrate strong character, service in the community and leadership potential. 

Recipients receive a four-year university scholarship as well as mentorship and a summer internship program.

As Linsley is graduating from her four years at the University of Victoria, the Loran Foundation asked her to nominate a teacher who positively impacted her for the LTBL award, which recognizes teachers who have been integral to developing young leaders. 

She wanted to nominate him because while she鈥檚 had a lot of good teachers over the years, none were as 鈥渇undamentally influential鈥� to her. 

鈥淚 just feel like the basic decisions I make day to day and the values that drive me, you can trace it back to Mr. Muth.鈥�  

Muth taught her to always have a firm handshake and put her whole heart into everything she does, to stay grounded and always do her best. He also fostered a love of learning and exploring knowledge, she said. 

Simply put, as a teacher, he was 鈥渢he best.鈥� 

Muth said Linsley was always an enthusiastic student who brought a lot of joy to his class. 

鈥淚t was wonderful 鈥� a great eight years.鈥� 

Muth said he was shocked to win the award. 

鈥淚t was quite moving. I鈥檓 just processing it right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel really privileged to be recognized like this.鈥� 

The pair have kept in touch over the years, and even met for coffee just last week. But the award was a surprise 鈥� one Linsley has been holding onto for four years, since she knew if she won she would nominate him. 

鈥淢r. Muth is not only my teacher, but a real mentor that I continue to look up to,鈥� she said.聽

From the Comment Section:

Anne Holman commented: 鈥淎 well deserved award. Henry is an amazing person in other aspects of the community as well- amazing versatile musician ( especially bagpipes and recorder and vocal)- family- church- woodworking and more. It鈥檚 wonderful to acknowledge his contributions.鈥�

That’s the end of the Guelph Today story, but we thought it would be worth adding a few pictures from Henry’s time at 麻豆直播 (formerly Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto), from his graduation from the full-time teacher education program in 2008, and from the course he taught at the 麻豆直播 Summer Festival of Arts and Education in 2023:

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Tuition Fees for Full Time Teacher Education Grades and EC and Foundation Studies Encounter will be increasing May 21, 2024. Enroll now to save! For more info on these programs see links below:

鈥� Waldorf Teacher Education Full Time Grades

鈥� Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education Full Time

鈥� Foundation Studies Encounter

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Thanks to everyone who came out to the 麻豆直播 in-person open house last Sunday April 28th to meet the faculty and talk with alumni and students. And thanks also to the faculty, board members, students and alumni who dedicated their afternoon to answering questions and explaining the college’s programs.

Virtual Open House Still to Come Wed. May 15

If you missed last Sunday but want to learn more about 麻豆直播 people and programs, you can still register for our upcoming virtual open house on Zoom on May 15th in the evening. Click here for more details about the virtual open house. Pre-register by emailing info@rscc.ca to get the Zoom link.

Here are some photos from the open house last Sunday:

Below, poster for the virtual open house May 15th:

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Starting this weekend there are workshops in both Ottawa and BC. Robert McKay will be leading a Saturday workshop in Ottawa on Fundamental Anthroposophical Work. In BC, David Newbatt will be leading events all week long, under the title Explorations in Art, beginning on Friday April 5th and continuing though April 12. See posters below for details.

The post Workshops: with Robert McKay in Ottawa April 6 and David Newbatt in BC April 5-12 appeared first on 麻豆直播.

Continuing in our series of free talks with Kenneth McAlister around the major festivals of the year, 麻豆直播 is happy once again to present Kenneth’s upcoming talk on the festival of Easter, titled “The Interweaving Natural and Spiritual Processes of Easter“. This talk will take place at 9 am on Easter Saturday March 30th. Kenneth describes it as follows:

We will try to develop an understanding of the Easter Mystery in the context of inner and outer seasonal changes. In the second session (after the mid-morning break) we will use the centre/periphery meditation to deepen our experiences of the opportunities Easter presents.聽See the full poster for this even below:

Anthroposophy in Toronto will also be hosting a public event on Thursday March 28th, an Introduction to Eurythmy, led by CoCo Verspoor at the Waldorf Academy, in downtown Toronto. This event is the latest in a series of their anthroposophical evenings. See details on the poster below.

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Last Friday March 15th the TWS music room was filled with a capacity crowd for the part time Early Childhood graduation. The invited audience of friends and family gathered to support and honour the 17 graduates from 麻豆直播’s Professional Development for Waldorf Early Childhood Teachers Part-Time program, a record number.

In her introductory comments program director Karen Weyler wondered if the unusually large size of this class was due at least in part to people having responded personally to recent events, wanting to do something in response to the harm to childhood that resulted from Covid restrictions of recent years.

Talking with Laurie Harper-Burgess afterwards she expanded on that thought, noting that so many of the graduates already had advanced degrees and qualifications in other professions, and yet they left all that behind to take up the challenge of becoming a Waldorf early childhood educator.

The graduation program included eurythmy, songs, a short marionette piece, and presentations from some of the students. However, most of it was Karen talking about each of the 17 students and presenting a certificate and a rose to each of them..

The following words about each of the graduates are based on Karen’s notes from the event:

Maria Agostini

Maria is now living in Spain and immersing herself in the community of the local Waldorf school that her two girls attend.  She had been in the Kindergarten at Halton for 6 years.  When I met Maria at that time, I could see her affinity for very young children.  Did an amazing presentation on the Care of the Caregiver from the Perspective of the 3-fold Social Order.

Janelle Burnham

Janelle leads a 3 morning preschool and 2 parent and child classes at Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton.  She is the mother of 4 children, a light-hearted person with a beautiful sense of humour.  Janelle isn鈥檛 quite sure how she found herself at a parent and child class with her first born about 16 years ago.  But there was no turning back for her and she probably never imagined at that point that one day she would be a Waldorf teacher.  Her research paper was titled Literacy in Waldorf Early Childhood Classrooms: what鈥檚 going on in there?

Maria Teresa Donayre

Maria is an afternoon assistant with the Forest Kindergarten and after-care teacher at Halton Waldorf School.  She also found Waldorf education through the parent and child class she attended with the little boy for which she was a nanny.  Marita is a quiet, consistent presence in this group who deeply cares for children and can feel what they are experiencing. Marita’s paper was titled How does technology impact child development from Birth to Seven?

Daniela Fernandez Holloway

For just one week now Daniela is the Lead teacher for the Dandelion Kindergarten at Halton WS.  In her life before children she used her industrial design and lighting design degrees working in a university in Chile.  But it was her son鈥檚 need for childcare, that eventually made her aware of Waldorf education and its value. She also has a daughter. Daniela brought us her research on How to Support Parents through the Early Years.

Lili Golbous

Lili is the assistant morning teacher in Birchgrove, Kindergarten, at TWS. She has a masters degree in Architectural Engineering, and has taught Interior Design, high school and elementary school, and then realized that it’s Kindergarten where the learning of life happens!  Lili is accomplished in handwork skills, loves puppetry and story telling and studying Rudolf Steiner鈥檚 works. Her paper was on How to Identify and Work with 鈥楤ullying鈥� in the Kindergarten.

Maria Hernandez

Maria is a kindergarten assistant at the Sunrise School of Miami. She attended Waldorf school in Columbia and also Florida, in her early and middle years. Maria is compassionate and conscientious, a baker, folk dancer and also Spanish teacher. During her studies here with us, Maria has simultaneously completed her Bachelor of Education degree. Perhaps Maria will have her own Kindergarten class this Fall. Her research was How teachers can help children and their families deal with the loss of a loved one.

Gayathri Kandasamy

She has been lead teacher in Cedar Kindergarten, at TWS, since September. Gayathri has an MBA and a degree in computer science.  But as a conscientious parent, Gayathri鈥檚 son brought her to TWS in 2018. In order to understand the Waldorf educational approach, she became active in the school as a supply teacher and started Foundation Studies. She has also been a lead teacher in the childcare.  Gayathri鈥檚 research was titled: Rethinking the relationship between the Teacher and the Assistant(s) in the EC Classroom.

Candace LeBlanc

Candace is an assistant kindergarten teacher at Polaris School and Centre, Ottawa.  She is the mother of four children and as a La Leche Leage leader, and pregnancy, labour and postpartum doula, she strives to serve humanity, especially young children and their mothers.  Candace enjoys writing poetry, drumming and dancing. Candace鈥檚 paper was the Moral Development of the Educator through Stories, Fairytales and Folktales.

Shannon Legere

Shannon will have her own Kindergarten class at Rowen Tree Children鈥檚 School, Peterborough this September.  She was on her way to becoming an Ontario Certified Teacher when she recalled the spark that learning about Waldorf Education gave her while attending a permaculture design course in Ecuador. Shannon has been at Rowen Tree since 2019 and brought Arlan to us during our time in this teacher education.  She gave us an enthralling presentation on Biodynamic Agriculture.

Madhavi Mali

Madhavi recently became the lead teacher for Dandelion Preschool at TWS.  It was through her friend at the temple that she learned about TWS and as an RECE happily joined the childcare at TWS.  She has a son and daughter, enjoys crafting and has a very large, giving heart. As a proficient cook, she provides all whom she knows with nourishment and love. Her research was on the Effects of Screen on Early Childhood development

Chandra Maracle

Chandra has been a student of anthroposophy for many years and co-founded Everlasting Tree School in 2010.   Chandra is our current graduate of the Birth-to-Three certificate.  She is the mother of 5 children and has a passionate understanding for the need of community around postpartum mothers.  She is currently working on her PhD with her thesis being on the nourishment needed to replenish and sustain new mothers and their babies, which she shared with us this week, including a puppet show and flavourful 鈥榗orn mush鈥�.

Janet McCarrol

Janet has been an educator of young children for almost 35 years ranging in experience as a childcare supervisor, kindergarten, lower school ESL and special education teacher in the public school board.  Currently she works with the grade 2s at TWS. With this certificate Janet has a sense she will be on her way to bringing her deepened understanding of early education to parents with their toddlers.  Janet is also working on a 鈥榶et untitled鈥� documentary film on Waldorf Early childhood in urban settings鈥︹�tay tuned for the Grand Premiere

Shannon McMaster

Shannon is the owner/operator of the Forest Courtyard Initiative, a small private nature school in Tottenham. As the mother of three children it was her own experience growing up on a farm and time in Waldorf schools that she longs for her own family, and now offers to many others. Shannon is true, raw, pure and direct with her intention. She helped us all to be authentic. Her passion for children and the possibility of a holistic approach to live and education is clearly evident.  hannon鈥檚 presentation was on Creating and supporting a Waldorf home childcare agency.

Andressa Oliveira

Andressa is a kindergarten assistant at the Waldorf Academy, Toronto. With a degree as a physical education teacher, Andressa can confirm that she now has her 鈥榙ream job鈥�. She first met Waldorf education when she was seeking childcare for her daughter while they were still living in Brazil. Andressa considers ideas deeply and is diligent in finding what is true to her. Her research was on a very interesting topic, about the Disruption of the Foundational Senses through Immigration. 

Cuiting Pan

Cuiting is assistant toddler teacher in Rosebud at TWS. When she was in middle school, her teacher had told her class, in order to encourage the students to do well in their studies, that if they didn’t work hard and excel, they might end up being a caregiver of young children and have to change diapers. Cuiting has a degree in Architectural design and as the mother of two girls has realized that the highest calling is indeed to change diapers consciously!  In her search as a new mother, she learnt of Waldorf Education on line and quickly found her way to 麻豆直播 upon arrival in Canada. Her research was titled Cultivating the Inner Light of Early Childhood Educators.

Bandana Sandhu

Bandana has been a supply teacher at TWS for the last three years.  She is the mother of two beautiful children birthed by another and started her Waldorf journey with Parent and Child.  Bandana has volunteered with our sister organizations and with other social services.  She has a thirst to discover the multifaceted nature of Waldorf Education.  We have so appreciated her deep and poignant questions in our sessions.

Eunyoung Yuk

Eunyoung is the lead teacher in Elderberry Preschool at TWS.  With a Master鈥檚 degree in clothing and textile in Korea, Amy had her own business in clothing design and is so able to create in knitting, embroidery, sewing, as well as play the piano and doing folk-art painting.  Coming to Canada, Amy took her RECE designation at Seneca and found her way to TWS.  She has two sons.  Amy鈥檚 research was How do Waldorf EC teachers support the development to the four foundational senses during and in the aftermath of the Pandemic.

Part-Time Early Childhood Teacher Program

BEGINS THIS JUNE 16 – Professional Development for Waldorf Early Childhood Teachers: two-year, part-time Birth-to-Seven and one-year part-time Birth-to-Three. Programs start every other year. Enrolment now open. Learn more:

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Seth Jordan is in town this week to teach at the Seminary of the Christian Community in North America. On Thursday March 7th, his last day here, he will be giving a talk at 7:30 pm at Hesperus Village, sponsored by the Polaris Branch of the Anthroposophical Society in Canada. Everyone is welcome. Details on the poster below:

Seth will also be part of a four-day workshop on Practical Threefolding in Viroqua Wisconsin March 14-17.

Anthroposophy in Toronto Events

Anthroposophy in Toronto is pleased to announce that during the last Thursday of the following months: March, April, and May, we will be hosting “Open Anthroposophy” evenings at the Waldorf Academy, 250 Madison Avenue, Toronto, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 

These evenings are open to anyone and will be of interest to people who have studied anthroposophy for years as well as people who are brand new to spiritual science. Every evening will include some activities but also a chance to enter into a free discussion on relevant topics.

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Dear Students, Colleagues, Community Members and Friends,

It is with pleasure that I would like to inform you that we have a new Executive Director. Marta Bak, who has been our Student Support and Outreach Manager for the past 17 months, has been hired by the 麻豆直播 Board of Directors effective February 1, 2024.

At this time, we say farewell to James Brian, who has fulfilled this role for the last six years. James, with his many talents, commitment and love for the anthroposophical and Waldorf movements, has led the college on its path to foster cultural renewal. He has guided us through the complex processes of, among others, moving from being Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto to becoming 麻豆直播, becoming a career college recognized by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, acceptance in the International Student program, and establishing Star Seedlings Family and Childcare Centre, all while helping us grow our Waldorf Education Full-time and Part-time and other programs. James鈥檚 collegiality helped build and nurture professional relationships with individuals and school communities. He nurtured our students with warmth, joy, wisdom and understanding. Over the years, we all experienced his gentle ways in which he gave of himself and his time. We are grateful to James for his dedication.

As we move forward, we welcome Marta. Marta has been a dedicated member of the Waldorf community for the past 14 years as a parent and more recently, as a grandparent. Since September 2022, while at 麻豆直播, she worked with James, colleagues, students and community members to help the college in realizing its goals. Marta has worked and volunteered in the not-for-profit sector almost all her adulty life, more recently, in housing, and before that, in immigration. She studied anthropology and international development at the bachelor level and later received a master鈥檚 degree in social anthropology. Marta brings a warm and welcoming demeanor, a tireless and efficient approach to the work and a commitment to anthroposophy and the college. You can reach her at mbak@rscc.ca or 905-764-7570. We are delighted to have her join us in this new capacity.

Warm regards,

Robert McKay, Chair, Board of Directors

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The information below is excerpted from the website for the Jan 24-27th:

Practical Aspects of Biodynamic Farming, Thurs. Jan. 25, 1-5 pm

In this 4-hr workshop, we invite you to view the farm as a living organism and learn practices that work in harmony with both the physical and the spiritual realm. Robby Gass and Chris Boettcher will highlight the synergies between biodynamic, organic and regenerative farming approaches and how we can apply lessons learned from each to enhance our understanding of soil and plant health. At the heart of the biodynamic method are the preparations used to treat the soil, compost and crops. Robby and Chris will lead us in making most of these preparations, as we discuss their healing effects on the earth and its produce. Participants will have the opportunity to handle the various materials and preparations to gain a clear understanding of why they are important to the wellbeing of the whole farm and garden.

Robby Gass

With over 30 years of experience, Robby Gass is a seasoned agricultural manager, consultant and trainer of large-scale mixed organic and biodynamic farming, soil biology and market gardening. Born and raised in South Africa to English-Scottish parents, Robby broadened his understanding and expertise as an educator and consultant in horticulture and organic farming, while earning an MSc in organic farming from the SRUC, Glasgow University. He then attended Dr. Elaine Ingham鈥檚 world-renowned Soil Food Web School in Oregon where he was awarded a certificate in soil microscopy.

After coming to Canada in January 2022, Robby worked as Director of Regenerative Agriculture at Refeed Farms in BC, as well as establishing ALBA Organics Consulting in Canada. In December 2022, he was appointed as the Director of Biodynamic Education at the 麻豆直播 in Ontario to develop and direct a distance learning, private career training program for biodynamic farming and gardening, a role he continues to fulfil. Robby loves to share his knowledge and experience across a wide array of agricultural and ecological entities towards improving the way we steward our planet for a healthier future.

Chris Boettcher

Coming out of conventional agriculture, Chris Boettcher has practiced biodynamic farming for 25 years. His family-run farm is located in mid-western Ontario. They sell Demeter-certified grains and tofu beans, as well as marketing about 500 lambs from their pasture-based sheep flock. The farm also includes a family orchard and a 5 to 10-acre vegetable operation. The newest addition is a forage-based 200-goat dairy run by the two oldest sons.

History of farming in regards to human and social development, Fri. Jan. 26, 1:30-3:00 pm

Understanding the difference between 鈥済enetic potential鈥� and natural ability. Husbandry as the foundation for developing your own local breed. Rationalization as a symbolic form of divorce. Renewing the commitment to 鈥渉usbandry鈥�

Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt has been farming for over 50 years, 40 years in Ontario at Glencolton farms. He has a masters degree in farming. He always tried to cultivate a balanced diversified farm with the focus on social and economic sustainability. The model of co-operative and farmshare ownership as a way to connect people with their food has been a lifelong struggle in the face of bureaucratic hurdles which focuses on rationalizing food production, food distribution and food safety regulations. A diversified livestock and the breeding of animals based on the principle of  farm specific breeds has been successfully implemented at Glencolton Farms since 1983.

Of course there are lots more lectures and workshops at this 4-day conference. Find complete details on

Summer Festival brochure 2024:

漏 麻豆直播 2024

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麻豆直播 is a charitable corporation dedicated to educating future generations of Waldorf teachers and making anthroposophy accessible to a wider public. We are able to continue our work thanks to generous donations from our community of supporters over the years. Like many other charities, the College makes a plea for donations towards the end of the calendar year. We invite you to read this year鈥檚 message below and add your voice to our community of support.

If you would like to add your voice to the chorus of support for 麻豆直播, you can make your donation in one of the following three ways:

鈥� Call 麻豆直播 at 905-764-7570 and donate over the phone with a credit card
* Donate online through the Canada Helps form on the website
鈥� Mail us a cheque to 麻豆直播, 9100 Bathurst St. #4, Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 8C7

Donate before Dec. 31st and get a donation receipt for the 2023 tax year.

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