A Waldorf Journey Podcast

Meredith

A Waldorf Journey is a blog and podcast started by a trained and experienced Waldorf teacher who is passionate about sharing what she has learned on the journey. Stay tuned for interviews, resource recommendations, tips and suggestions for making your Waldorf journey an incredible, life-giving experience.

  1. 5d ago

    3 Waldorf Blocks I Love to Teach

    This week, I’m taking a break from all the back-to-school planning talk to remember one of the best parts of being a Waldorf teacher: the curriculum itself. I’m sharing three blocks I really love to teach—and what makes each one so well suited to the children at that particular age. We’ll talk about: The first block of first grade — establishing the rhythms, habits, and expectations that will carry you through the year.Fifth grade botany — the beautiful meeting of science, art, imagination, and biography.Sixth grade geometry — discovering beauty, structure, order, and lawfulness with compass and straightedge.I also share some practical thoughts about planning these blocks, including why it helps to keep specific students in mind as you prepare and how biography can bring even the most factual content to life. Mentioned: The Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe by Michael S. Schneider. Is there a Waldorf block you’d like me to do a deep dive on? Send me a note at Meredith@awaldorfjourney.com. Or subscribe on Substack.

  2. Aug 9

    Dreamers, Doers, and Imagination in the Waldorf Classroom

    In Waldorf education, we talk a lot about bringing lessons through pictures—and about the importance of children creating their own inner pictures as they listen to a story. But what about the child who doesn't experience stories that way? This week's episode was inspired by a listener who asked about aphantasia, a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to voluntarily create images in the mind's eye. Her question got me thinking more broadly about what we really mean when we ask children to "picture" a story—and whether creating a vivid mental image is really the only way to engage imaginatively. Because children connect with stories in all kinds of ways. Some may see an entire movie playing out in their minds. Others might connect deeply with a character, feel the suspense of the story, hear the rhythm of the language, notice movement and sequence, or make connections with their own experiences. In this episode, I explore what it means to truly "live into" a story, and why imaginative teaching can be valuable even for children who don't easily form mental pictures. I also revisit an idea from Waldorf teacher training that I haven't thought about in years: the polarity of the cosmic child and the earthly child. Looking at these two different ways of meeting the world gives us another way to think about the dreamy child who easily lives in imagination—and the practical, physical child who wants to build, move, touch, and do. And, most importantly, how we can help both children move toward balance without treating one way of experiencing the world as better than the other. In this episode: What a listener's question about aphantasia made me reconsiderWhat we actually mean by "creating pictures" in Waldorf educationThe many ways children can connect with a storyWhy a child doesn't need a vivid mental movie to benefit from imaginative teachingWhat I've observed about different kinds of listeners in the classroomThe cosmic child and the earthly childWhy these Waldorf frameworks should be lenses rather than labelsMeeting children where they are rather than asking every child to experience a lesson in the same waySupporting dreamy children with grounding, physical experiencesHelping practical, "earthly" children enter imagination through movement, drama, drawing, and doingKeep exploring with A Waldorf Journey For more reflections on Waldorf teaching—and companion posts that go deeper into many of the topics I discuss on the podcast—subscribe to A Waldorf Journey on Substack. And if you're preparing for the school year and looking for more concrete support, you'll find curriculum guides for grades 1–8 at A Waldorf Journey. They're designed to give you a strong starting point while leaving plenty of room for your own creativity, imagination, and connection with the students in front of you.

  3. Aug 3

    3 Things I Would Do This Week If I Were Starting a New School Year

    The beginning of August makes the new school year suddenly feel real. Whether you've already begun planning or are just starting to think about it, this podcast is for you. In this episode, I share the three areas I would focus on this week if I were preparing for a new school year. What are three things you can do to help make sure you're starting your lesson planning on the right foot? I encourage teachers to begin with the relationships that make your teaching possible: your relationship with your students, your students' families, and yourself as a teacher. Remembering these three categories in everything you do will help you start the year with a solid plan that is founded upon the things that really matter.  In this episode, we discuss:  Why planning should always begin with the children.  A simple exercise for reconnecting with each student before the school year begins.  How thinking intentionally about families can strengthen your classroom community.  Supporting parents as partners in your work.  The importance of rhythms and systems that sustain you throughout the school year.  Practical ways to prepare your future self before the busy months begin. Mentioned in this episode  Subscribe to the A Waldorf Journey Substack for a companion article each Wednesday, plus bonus resources for paid subscribers.  Have a question or an idea for a future episode? I'd love to hear from you! Reach me at meredith@awaldorfjourney.com. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be grateful if you subscribed, left a review, or shared it with another Waldorf teacher who is preparing for the new school year.

  4. Jul 26

    Weekly Rhythm: Let the Week Do Some of the Teaching

    One of the greatest gifts of Waldorf education is rhythm. When we think about rhythm, we often think first about the daily rhythm of the classroom or the larger rhythm of the school year. But one of the rhythms that has made the biggest difference in my own teaching is the rhythm of the week. In this episode, I explore how giving each day its own character can simplify planning, reduce decision fatigue, and create a classroom that feels more grounded for both teacher and students. I also introduce the idea of the planetary qualities associated with each day of the week—not as something to follow rigidly, but as an invitation to observe, experiment, and discover what resonates in your own classroom. In this episode  Why rhythm reduces planning fatigue  The difference between relying on engagement and relying on rhythm  The traditional planetary qualities of each weekday  How I've thought about Monday through Friday in my own classroom  Ideas for building your own weekly review rhythm  Using rhythm as a framework while remaining responsive to your students Resources ✉️ Continue the conversation on Substack:  A Waldorf Journey Paid subscribers receive additional teaching notes, planning resources, and companion materials each week. 🌿 Curriculum guides and teaching resources:  https://awaldorfjourney.com I'd love to hear from you. Do you have a weekly rhythm that has become an important part of your classroom? Have you experimented with the planetary qualities of the days of the week? Leave a comment on Substack or send me an email—I always enjoy hearing how these ideas take shape in other classrooms.

    Weekly Rhythm: Let the Week Do Some of the Teaching

  5. Jul 19

    How I Plan a Main Lesson Block

    When I begin planning a new main lesson block, I don't start by writing daily lesson plans. Instead, I begin by thinking about the larger picture: the stories, skills, experiences, and artistic work that will shape the children's experience over the coming weeks. In this episode, I walk through the framework I use to plan every main lesson block and explain why each element matters. In this episode: Why I don't begin with individual lesson plansThe role of imaginative content in block planningPlanning academic skills with intentionChoosing projects, readers, and main lesson book workIncorporating field trips and guest speakersHow all of these elements work together to create a cohesive learning experienceContinue the conversation This episode is paired with a new Substack post on A Waldorf Journey. Free subscribers will receive a deeper look at the planning process discussed in this episode. Paid subscribers will also receive downloadable versions of my Main Lesson Block Planning Template and Block Review Form, along with additional notes about how I use them throughout the school year. Subscribe at awaldorfjourney.substack.com. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be grateful if you subscribed, left a review, or shared it with another Waldorf teacher. Your support helps more educators discover the podcast.

    How I Plan a Main Lesson Block

  6. Jul 12

    Why Waldorf Education Thinks Differently About Authority

    When I began teaching, I thought authority was something to avoid. I wanted to be kind. Understanding. Flexible. I also lacked confidence and didn't feel particularly qualified to tell them what to do. I thought that if I cared enough, authority would somehow take care of itself. It didn't. Over time I learned that children aren't looking for adults who step back—they're looking for adults who can step forward with calm confidence. In this episode, I explore what authority really means in Waldorf education and why it has nothing to do with being authoritarian. Instead, authority is about holding a child's best interests at heart while providing the direction and certainty they cannot yet provide for themselves. We discuss: Why authority has become such an uncomfortable wordThe difference between authority and authoritarianismHow children gradually develop inner authorityWhy too many choices can sometimes increase a child's anxietyPractical ways teachers can cultivate quiet authority in the classroomSimple ways parents can practice loving authority at homeWhy children "borrow" our authority before they can grow their ownWhether you're a classroom teacher or a parent, this episode is an invitation to rethink authority—not as control, but as one of the greatest gifts we can offer children as they grow toward freedom. 00:00 Rethinking Authority 02:29 Why Kids Need It 03:31 What Authority Means 07:23 Why Adults Resist 10:30 Choices and Voice 13:47 Classroom Authority Tips 16:47 Small Details Example 20:11 Parenting Authority Practice 22:44 Borrowed Authority Over Time 23:42 Wrap Up and Resources

  7. Jul 5

    What Should Waldorf Teachers Actually Do During the Summer?

    Summer is a season of rest—but it's also an opportunity to lay the foundation for a joyful, well-prepared school year. In this episode, I share the approach I've developed over more than twenty years of Waldorf teaching for easing into summer planning without sacrificing the rest and renewal that every teacher needs. Rather than jumping straight into lesson plans, I suggest four simple ways to begin: Gather the planning supplies that make the process enjoyable.Build a clear picture of child development before planning content.Envision the rhythm and structure of the school year.Gather meaningful resources that inspire your own understanding before turning to ready-made lesson plans.I also talk about why developing your own relationship to the curriculum is one of the most important parts of Waldorf teaching, and how thoughtful preparation leads to more intuitive, responsive teaching throughout the year. Resources Mentioned Summer Vision — My summer planning course for Waldorf teachersMy favorite summer planning suppliesSchool as a Journey by Torin FinserThe Educational Tasks and Content of the Steiner Waldorf Curriculum ("the Yellow Book")Rudolf Steiner:The Foundations of Human ExperiencePractical Advice to TeachersDiscussions with TeachersYou can find these resources, along with curriculum, mentoring opportunities, and additional articles, at A Waldorf Journey. Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you subscribed, shared it with another teacher, or left a review. It helps more Waldorf teachers discover the podcast and supports the work of creating new episodes.

  8. Jun 28

    Back from the Classroom (and now back to A Waldorf Journey)

    After a year of being mostly quiet, I'm back behind the microphone! In this episode, I share where I've been, why I stepped back from creating content, and what's next for A Waldorf Journey. I talk about my unexpected return to the classroom, the balance of teaching and school leadership, and why I'm excited to have more time this year to mentor teachers, create resources, and record podcasts again—even if they're a little more spontaneous than before. I also share updates about my Summer Vision planning course, mentoring opportunities for the coming school year, and the ways you can work with me this summer. In this episode  Why I stepped away from regular podcasting  Teaching fifth grade for the 2025–26 school year  Balancing classroom teaching with marketing, communications, and development work  What I learned from spending another year in the classroom  Returning full-time to school leadership  Summer mentoring and classroom evaluation opportunities  Teaching with the Micha-el Institute this summer  What's new in the Summer Vision planning course  My plans for more frequent, simpler podcast episodes  Where to find new writing on Substack Mentioned in this episode  Summer Vision planning course  Micha-el Institute summer intensives  Waldorf at Work on Substack  Classroom mentoring and teacher evaluations  A Waldorf Journey Connect with me 🌿 Website: A Waldorf Journey 🌿 Summer Vision Course 🌿 Waldorf at Work on Substack 🌿 Email: meredith@awaldorfjourney.com If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you subscribed or shared it with another Waldorf teacher. Thanks so much for listening, and I hope you're finding plenty of time this summer to rest, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead.

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About

A Waldorf Journey is a blog and podcast started by a trained and experienced Waldorf teacher who is passionate about sharing what she has learned on the journey. Stay tuned for interviews, resource recommendations, tips and suggestions for making your Waldorf journey an incredible, life-giving experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Meredith
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Waldorf Journey Podcast
  • Show Website
    A Waldorf Journey Podcast

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