Spring Courses 2026
Spring Courses 2026
Location: Highland Hall Waldorf School
Date: Saturday Jan 10, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Total credit hours: 7.5 hours
Teachers: Dennis Demanett
Cost: $300
Intensive for Grades Teachers
In this intensive, we focus on teaching Grade 5 through the lens of assessment. A great course for people wanting an in person, enriching Waldorf experience.
Fifth graders are at the midpoint of their eight-year cycle. They are not yet ready for the independence expected in middle school, but they are developing new strengths. Their growing physical balance and coordination are reflected in emerging capacities for deeper thinking, reflection, and increased social-emotional maturity.
We will explore how to design learning experiences that recognize these developing capacities and meet the needs and challenges that arise during this stage.
Philosophy - Anthroposophy
An Outline of Esoteric Science
Location: Online
Dates: 9 Tuesdays (Jan-May 2026) Jan 13 - Jan 27 - Feb 3 - Feb 24 - Mar 3 - Mar 24 - Apr 14 - Apr 28 - May 26 Student presentation Sat May 30, 9-12:30pm
Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Total credit hours: 21.5 hours
Teacher: Philip Guest & Aileen Leijten
Cost: $680
A great course for people who are looking to explore Anthroposophy.
Together we will take a dive into An Outline of Esoteric Science, one of Rudolf Steiner’s essential books. We will explore each chapter in depth through presentations, artistic activities, and collaborative group work. This class spans over the course of nine hour and a half online sessions throughout the Spring semester and ends with group project presentation in May. We will approach the content of this book through thinking, feeling and willing.
Waldorf Essentials
Psychology-Child & Human Development
Location: Online
Dates: 5 Tuesdays (Jan-May 2026)
Jan 20 - Feb 10 - Mar 17 - April 21 - May 19
Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Total credit hours: 7.5 hours
Teachers: Dr. Patricia Reber, Holly Richards, Shivani Burrows-Goodwill, Bari Borsky
Cost: $300
One of the most sought after WISC courses, great for anyone who is new to Waldorf, or wants deepen their understanding of the underlying principles.
In this online course on ‘Child and Human Development’ we continue our deep dive into the guiding wisdom Rudolf Steiner offered to support the growing child at each phase of development. Moving through early childhood (0-7 yrs.) and into the second phase (7 -14 yrs.) we resume our guided observation practice with Dr. Reber, and we will explore aspects of the child’s constitution and ways we can advocate for the child’s overall well-being with Holly Richards. Finally, author Bari Borsky will share a new look at the four temperaments, by exploring the dynamic of both adult and child temperaments to deepen our self-awareness in our role as teachers.
Location: Waldorf School of San Diego
Date: Saturday Jan 31, 2026
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Total credit hours: 7 hours
Teachers: Holly Richards, Johanna Laurelin
Cost: $280
This intensive can be taken as part of our full time early childhood program, as an exploratory course for those new to Waldorf education or on it’s own for an enriching and creative experience.
We will explore the role of imitation, creative play and hands on crafts in the early childhood classroom.
Imitation: We will examine a child’s innate drive to imitate and how our support for that impulse impacts the child’s developing will and desire to participate in life. Creative play: We will explore the life building activities of creative play for children in our school settings. Hands-on woodworking: We will experience how craft to supports the developing will.
Intensive I for Early Childhood Teachers
Intensive for Grades Teachers
Location: Waldorf School of San Diego
Date: Saturday Feb 7, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Total credit hours: 7.5 hours
Teachers: Deirdre Lague, Johanna Laurelin
Cost: $300
A great workshop for people who are looking to explore Waldorf education. In this intensive we will focus on all elements of teaching Grade 6 & practicum presentation.
How do we meet the expanding consciousness of sixth graders—standing at the threshold of puberty—in ways that genuinely support their human development? Sixth grade brings both significant challenges and rich opportunities as students’ needs change and deepen.
In this intensive, we will explore how to engage students in shaping a learning process that offers real freedom within a framework of clarity, structure, and lawful order.
The Art of Speech
Location: Waldorf School of Orange County
Date: Saturday Feb 28, 2026
Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm
Total credit hours: 6.5 hours
Teachers: Helen Lubin
Cost: $260
A course great for people already familiar with Waldorf education, or those who want to practice the art of speech.
The living language environment is cultivated through daily speech practice using rhythm, poetry, and expressive speaking. As a time art, the spoken word connects movement and meaning, supporting memory development and laying a strong foundation for literacy. These speech practices also enhance classroom management and contribute to teacher longevity by creating rhythm and cohesion. Ultimately, the spoken word strengthens the school community by fostering shared culture and connection.
Waldorf Enrichment
Location: Online
Dates: 4 Tuesdays (Feb-May 2026)
Feb 17 - Mar 10 - May 5 - May 12
Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Total credit hours: 6 hours
Teachers: Shivani Burrows-Goodwill, Jacqueline Develle, Blair Manzke
Cost: $240
A new WISC course, great for anyone who wants to explore aspects of Waldorf education and what goes into being a Waldorf teacher.
Waldorf Enrichment , a complementary course to Waldorf Essentials, This fall we will be exploring the twelve senses, and working with parents, colleagues and administration in a Waldorf school community.
Intensive for Grades teachers
Location: Highland Hall Waldorf School
Date: Saturday March 7, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Total credit hours: 7.5 hours
Teachers: Brenan Yack, Dana Williams
Cost: $300
A great workshop for people who are looking to explore Waldorf education. In this intensive we will focus on all that goes into teaching Grade 7.
The 7th grade student moves between the consciousness of two worlds – the world of childhood, and the world of adulthood, but belongs to neither. To the outer world, this young person may show a brash, careless attitude, while within the tender feelings of a Renaissance artist yearn for recognition. “Who am I?” is the guiding question that is not yet conscious. Our task is to provide inspiring examples of individuals who had the courage to challenge authority and seek truth through their own inner soul questioning, and outer experimentation and exploration.
Intensive II for Early Childhood Teachers
Location: Highland Hall Waldorf School
Date: Saturday Mar 21, 2026
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Total credit hours: 7 hours
Teachers: Rosa Balderrama, Dana Williams
Cost: $280
This intensive can be taken as part of our full time early childhood program, as an exploratory course for those new to Waldorf education or on it’s own for an enriching and creative experience.
Belonging in Difficult Times - Recognizing children’s needs: How do we accompany and meet the needs of children coming to us today.
Supporting children’s needs: We will explore ways to create a "safe" space for neurodiverse and neurotypical learners which offer an overall sense of belonging. Craft: Creating and working with the "Little Ones" as a supportive tool not only for the children but the adult as well. (Inspired by Bonnie Rivers)
Intensive for Grades Teachers
Location: San Diego Waldorf School
Date: Saturday April 18, 2026
Date: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Total credit hours: 7.5 hours
Teachers: Mary Carmichael, Johanna Laurelin
Cost: $300
A great workshop for people who are looking to explore Waldorf education. In this intensive we will focus on the why and what we teach in Grade 8.
The 8th grader is seeking their own moral compass, looking for allies and leaders, and role models demonstrating higher values. They now turn their focus outward, ready to apply their skills and knowledge to the world around them after years of learning together as class community.
We will explore ways to create pedagogical forms that integrate structure while supporting the young person’s initiative and freedom of expression.
Location: Pan O’ Rama Farms in Fallbrook
Date: Saturday April 25, 2026
Date: 9:00am - 4:30pm
Total credit hours: 6.5 hours
Teachers: Jacqueline and Soleil Develle
Cost: $260
Biodynamic Farming
A great course for anyone interested in taking their gardening to the next level.
Join us for a full day workshop on the lovely Pan O’Rama avocado and citrus farm to explore the basics and foundations of Biodynamic farming
Biodynamics is rooted in the work of philosopher and scientist Dr. Rudolf Steiner, whose 1924 lectures to farmers opened a new way to integrate scientific understanding with a recognition of spirit in nature.
Biodynamic farming is a holistic, ecological approach to agriculture that treats the farm as a living organism and works with natural rhythms, soil health, and cosmic cycles to sustain and enhance its vitality.
Grades Intensive V
Location: TBD
Date: Saturday May 9, 2026
Date: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Total credit hours: 7.5 hours
Teachers: Shivani Burrows-Goodwill, Jacqueline Develle, Aileen Leijten
Cost: $300
If you have taken a course with WISC in the past and are considering joining the program full time, this is a valuable offering to experience.
WISC students who are about to graduate, give a 30 minute research project graduation presentation as capstone of their journey with WISC.