In a recent New York Times article by Adam Grant, the power of "looping" was discussed as a key educational component in being able to unlock hidden potential in each student. In Waldorf education, this is something we have always understood and implemented - our students stay with the same main lesson teacher for multiple years through two loops- one teacher is with our students for main lesson from grades 1 through 4, and then the next loop follows from grades 5 through 8.

In this episode, School Director Kelly Molinet and Education Director Charlie Orphanides discuss the value of these deep, connected relationships with our teachers, and how they benefit our students in receiving a social education- an education where they learn not just content, but a way of being in the world.

We're bringing back The Denver Waldorf Podcast with a new series of discussions with School Director Kelly Molinet and Education Director Charlie Orphanides, inspired by the question, "What's Up With That?!" In this first episode, we explore the question of what's up with that- where are all of the textbooks? In Waldorf schools across the globe, you will find "reverse textbook learning" as an integral part of our curriculum - meaning that our students don't study directly from textbooks, rather they create their own main lesson books which serve as a record of the academic facts of the lesson. These main lesson books integrate art along with other creative elements to synthesize the material. In this episode, Kelly and Charlie discuss the intention behind this part of our Waldorf education.

It is always a great gift to be reminded why the work of our education is so vitally important, and hearing our alumni reflect on their educational journey with gratitude and passion does just that. On this week's episode, we were able to catch up with two DWS graduates, Ivy Hunter and Ian Connolly. They candidly shared about how their experience at DWS prepared them for the world beyond our doors, how the relationships they built here have served them, and how they in turn are serving the world.

We start our days always with movement - whether jump roping, a run around the field, or a game of spaceball! And it’s not just during the beginning of the day- we find ways to incorporate movement throughout our learning all day, each and every day. We understand that the body plays a vital role in all of our intellectual processes. On this week's episode, Movement Teacher Charlie Orphanides shares more about the importance of movement and the role it plays in our education and development.

This week, Education Director Vernon Dewey is joined by Movement Teacher and Therapeutic Movement Specialist Charlie Orphanides to talk about the nine-year change - a developmental stage that is a significant turning point in childhood. It is a time when the child first begins to see themself as an individual, and develop a new self-awareness of the world around them. They share how our curriculum is designed to meet them on this journey and how parents can help their child through this new awakening.

This is a recording of a parent education morning led by Education Director Vernon Dewey. Rhythm is a integral part to how we go about our days in the classroom - the predictability and consistency allow the children to flow from activity to activity naturally. During his discussion with parents, Vernon shares how rhythm can support our parenting in the home - whether at bedtime, gathered around the table, getting ready in the morning, or any part of our family life. 

On this week's podcast, Education Director Vernon Dewey is joined by two longtime DWS art teachers, Kimberly Martin and Tom Clark. In their conversation, they share what it means to have an artistic education and what role the arts play in the development of every student, no matter their background or disposition.

On this week's episode, we are joined by our science teachers- Nancy Taylor, Adam Newman, and Tom Clark. They share more about the Waldorf approach to science, and how we work to develop capacities in observation and thinking - creating flexible and open learners ready to face a changing world. 

We are a school that nurtures health in our children. That is what we do here. On this week's episode, Education Director Vernon Dewey sits down with Student Support Coordinator Sarah Boyer. They discuss what student support is, how it fits into the framework of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Sarah's own mission to transform how we think about student support and challenges and strengths of our children in general.

At its root, our school supports a healthy environment for growth, curiosity, and authenticity. And not just in the classroom- it’s evident in our parent community, too. Today, we are joined by five members of The Denver Waldorf Racial Justice Parent Group. It was created by some of our parents here who felt a call for reexamination and growth in their own lives following George Floyd’s murder. According to their mission statement, the group is committed to exploring the issues of racial justice through fostering a safe, open, warm and non-judgmental container by which to deepen our awareness through studying, growing and taking action together. On this episode, they share more about how they are working to inspire change within our community and beyond.