Education Transformations sat down with Lyra Matthews, a first grade teacher at Sparrow School, a Waldorf inspired charter school in San Diego, to find out what she likes about this method of education. Waldorf Education is a humanistic approach to instruction based on the educational philosophy of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, focusing greatly on use of imagination, nature, hands-on activities, artistic and social expression, and fostering both creative and analytical modes of understanding. One of the reasons Matthews likes it is because she has the freedom to teach in a way that allows her to take into account the developmental stages of her students. She says she takes a subject and comes up with her own way of presenting it, in order to find ways to pique the students’ interest and appeal to their natural curiosity. Also, she uses stories as a basis for lessons, with imaginative images that children can relate to, since they inherently have a pictorial way of thinking. Matthews has been teaching the Waldorf method since 1998 and, having had all of her own children go through and enjoy the Waldorf inspired educational approach, she is motivated to stay with this method of teaching.
Through years of classroom experience, she has discovered she can use music and rhythmic movement as ways to attract the interest of her first graders, and to have them work as a group. She has seen that starting a lesson with a song draws their attention to a subject, and presenting ideas in the form of stories makes it understandable to them. The subjects are further enhanced by incorporating art into the work, as the children draw directly into their own ‘main lesson books’. Teaching the seasons and nature are enjoyable for Matthews, who appreciates their role at the center of the Waldorf curriculum. Her class often celebrates festivals on certain holidays, and Matthews loves tying those celebrations to nature and the seasons, using songs and artistic renditions. The students stay engaged because they are working to arrive at the answers themselves that go with the rhythms that go with the stories – whew! Now I’m engaged!
Lyra Matthews
Even during off times, Matthews is always keeping her eyes open for new things to teach her students. During a recent break from the classroom, she came up with a lesson idea and was excited and inspired to get back and share it with her students. Having the space to create her lessons gives her more freedom to innovate. Her gauge on how to teach a lesson is to find the balance between inward and outward exercises that keep the students engaged, and to notice the beneficial effect of that rhythmic balance herself. Also for Matthews, using color and music always feels good personally, so she incorporates them into her lessons, which typically helps her students connect better too. Bringing movement and daily rhythms to her students and having them benefit from the expressive routines gives her satisfaction and a feeling of success.
The teachers at her school are very receptive and interested in each others ideas, making it easy to work with each other. The Sparrow faculty come together for a faculty meeting every week; they also gather every morning before school starts, to read and discuss a verse. Matthews says it’s nice to be able to touch base with adults and share a few words before school starts. Here is an example of a verse that would be read: “I feel the essence of my being,” So speaks an inward sense Which in the sun-illumined world unites with the flowing light. For it would pour its warmth into thinking’s clarity And bind in one the human being and the world.” Can you imagine what a great conversation would come from reading that with a group you work with? AWESOME!!
If there were one thing Matthews could change in education, it would be to “throw out the teachers’ manuals.” Rudolf Steiner said that teaching should come directly from the teacher, and she feels that having that freedom might be missing in many public school classrooms. Teachers’ manuals tell exactly what to teach, what to ask, and what to tell the students. While getting her teaching credential, she was exposed to the manuals and worksheets approach to teaching, and throwing out the manuals would not only give teachers their own freedom to teach, but it would also give students their freedom to learn.
My daughter goes to a public charter school that embraces Waldorf Ed method. It has been an amazing experience how my precious girl has grown in such a way that she truly cares about not only her surroundings, but also fellow students and any living creatures… She has built strong trust and bond with all of her classmates…This holistic Ed. approach nurtures the students to be a well-rounded global citizen of our planet! She enjoys drawings, knitting, playing instruments, gardening, a group physical plays, and stories. Creating her own textbooks while learning various subjects definitely help her internally digest the information/the knowledge that are presented to her. Mastering self is a key to their future as they will be able to adapt themselves in any situations by listening to what is already within when life squeezes them hard … There are multiple layers of learning methods, and those are incorporated naturally into their everyday learning environments along with the well thought-out curriculum that are developed based on their physician emotional and spiritual human developments. Yes, it is absolutely a very child-centered approach. A balance of body, mind, & soul,,,I am just so grateful that I found this great educational environment where children can be children! One thing that stands out when I walk into her school is that all children are just so happy and they live with others in harmony! 🙂 Lastly, Waldorf certified teachers know how to teach/guide children without using any manipulations or forces including any means of punishments. They treat their students as if they are the given honorably gifts..They practice exactly what the following quote says… “Receive the children in reverence; educate them in love; let them go forth in freedom.” ~ Rudolf Steiner
Meg
Thanks for this article. I am a lucky parent of a lucky kid who is in Lyra’s class at the local Waldorf charter school. My daughter is thriving and her love of learning is expanding. My primary goal in finding a school for her was to find one that wouldn’t extinguish that love of learning she (and all children) are born with. She learns through songs, art, handworks, gardening, and with thoughtful lessons that engage her. She is excited every day to go to school. Everything in Waldorf education has been carefully selected and has a meaningful reason for being a part of the curriculum. I like having confidence that every minute of her day has a purpose.
What a very informative post on the teaching at a Waldorf School! Ms Lyra Matthews, is very much a Waldorf Teacher and follows the teaching explicitly ! The children and parents respect her and enjoy her ideas and enthusiasm!! Our grandchild learned so much these past two years, without even realizing how much he learned ! The children all seem very happy to be there and respect, each other, their Teacher, their classroom and their main lesson books.
We look forward to our third year at NUA Sparrow Charter School, and having Ms Lyra Matthews teach our grandson in 2nd grade.
His Teacher Ms Helga Conklin, in Kindergarten was wonderful also. We have been very happy with the educational method at NUA SparrowCharter school.
Appreciative.
Al & Linda Marino (Grandparents)