By Dana Peters Guarin
“May we strive together with good will to form a community where the gifts of each one are acknowledged and where each one does one’s best, that the highest spiritual powers may help us bring forth a school worthy of all children—That they may learn to live and breathe in spirit awareness, blessing the World with their deeds.”
On behalf of THINK 12, the Twin Cities Waldorf High School initiative, we would like to thank all who came out in subzero temperatures to “kick-off” our first community-wide gathering on January 12. The evening welcomed nearly 40 attendees, balanced evenly between the Minnesota Waldorf School and City of Lakes Waldorf School. We were also gifted with community members from the Spring Hill Waldorf School.
The meeting opened as we heard from the founders of Watershed High School, which operated as a private Waldorf High School at the beginning and later turned charter. These leaders shared with us the successes and challenges they encountered in a school conceived almost 20 years ago. John Miller’s speech echoed a theme that we have all heard, ‘If we build it, they will come.’ The unique Steiner curriculum which was meant to take full circle in twelve years, is unparalleled in what it can offer Twin Cities youth. The way in which the blocks are delivered, the wisdom of visiting teachers (professionals drawn from the community), and the state-of-the art science curriculum are just a small window into what you will find in a Waldorf high school. Christina Beck offered that the experience for youth in a Waldorf high school allows for them to experience what they are learning by “going through rather than going around.” As the weeks build into months, we look forward to sharing an expanded vision of what a Twin Cities Waldorf high school will look like.
We then heard from five Watershed alumni, most of whom had attended Waldorf lower schools in the Twin Cities. As adults, these alumni have moved into the professional sector in the following areas: Self-employed business owners of Sassy Knitwear, Professional Harpist, Bio-Chemist/now ER Physician, Ph.D. in Creative Writing/now Professor, and Special Education Teacher.
Following the Q&A, we distributed a Response Form to hear how each attendee would like to actively participate. These forms have been printed and are available at each school. At CLWS, forms are available in the Main Office along with a folder where you can place your completed form. Please also indicate any specific questions you may have.
And please mark your calendars for our next meeting on Tuesday, April 12 at City of Lakes Waldorf School.