Early Childhood Teacher Education

Director: Laura Cassidy

Director Emeritus: Pam Harsch

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The early childhood teacher certification at Great Lakes Waldorf Institute is a three-year part-time program focusing on philosophical, practical and artistic training for early childhood teaching. The program consists of three sessions each year: a summer intensive in July, fall courses and spring courses with additional fieldwork, practicum and final research project. 

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Graduates of this 450+ hour program receive Early Childhood Waldorf Teaching Certification recognized by the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) and the International Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education. (IASWECE).   

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Curriculum and course content include a balance of the following areas:

• Child development and Waldorf education

• Waldorf philosophy and human development

• Contemplative work 

• Artistic activities for the classroom and for the educator

• Professional and social aspects of Waldorf education

• Fieldwork - observation, mentored teaching, practicum or internship in well-established Waldorf early childhood setting

• Action-research project combined with practicum

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This program enrolls in May, August and December.

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