Ottawa Waldorf School educates heads, hands and hearts
Posted Mar 12, 2010 By Sarah Kelford
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EMC News - Upon entering the Ottawa Waldorf School in Stittsville, you can immediately tell there is something different, special even, about this institute.
Sarah Kelford, Kanata EMC
Knitting teacher Beth Townsend shows students Robin Coulber and Grace Joyner how to finish lines during their Grade 1
"They look at the whole child and they don't just sit at their desks," said Carp resident Lynn Agnew, whose son attends the school. "I want my son to grow up to be a respectful human being. He will be able to survive and take care of himself."
Agnew said she ultimately chose to send her son to the Ottawa Waldorf School because it was a fresh breath when she entered the school.
"They made bread from scratch," she noted, adding the skills learned through the Waldorf model are necessary for life. "The students, they have a desire to go to school. The kids, they are happy and nice kids with a desire to learn."
Agnew, along with the parents of the 55 students who attend Waldorf, embraced the Waldorf model of education.
Students attend the school from all over Ottawa, from West Carleton to Sandy Hill.
"They come out of here much more self-assured," said administrator Catherine Pageau. "They know they can make a difference in the world."
The Ottawa Waldorf School goes from Grade 1 to 8, at which time, the students attend a regular high school.
"Any kind of Waldorf is better than none," said Pageau, noting with their kindergarten and parent-child program, children can begin at the Ottawa Waldorf School at an early age.
The parent-child program gives children a transition between home and Kindergarten, while giving the parents a chance to learn about the Waldorf model and offer their children a source of entertainment.
"Children younger than Kindergarten come with their parents once or twice a week," said teacher Jeannine Farazli. "Today, there is a lot of choice, but (here) we see what they can do if they're not in front of the TV. We help develop social skills without media."
Farazli noted that "parents are the key to this program" because children imitate and look up to their parents at that age.
The program is offered twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and welcomes families with children from six months to three years old.
"It's all from their interaction, everything here is natural materials and imagination," said Farazli, noting she would be happy to speak with community members interested in more information.
Pageau noted that students are welcome to join the school at any age or grade level and pick up on the lessons fast.
The school has a large focus on creativity and individual progress.
With class subjects like knitting, woodworking (with hand tools) and German, as well as French and English, the students learn a wider variety of skills than in the regular school system.
"The Waldorf curriculum is worldwide known - it's tired and true," said Pageau. "It meets students' needs according to individual development."
There are 12 teachers on staff, and with the Waldorf model, a teacher will follow a class from grade one to eight, allowing both the student and teacher to form a trusting and respectful relationship. Alan Kruegar has been teaching at the Ottawa Waldorf School for 14 years and is the faculty chair.
Kruegar explained that the Waldorf model is interesting and gives teachers a chance to know the students and their parents well.
"You (as a teacher) don't just pass the students off next year, you have to look at their struggles a little more closely," explained Kruegar. "You have to work as a team."
He explained that students often join part-way through school, but they are always open to learning the subjects they may not have been accustomed to.
"I'm not bound to Ministry standardized tests and guidelines," said Kruegar, explaining that if students are particularly interested in a topic in science or history, he can keep with it longer than other schools, because he doesn't have to cover specific standard lessons.
He also explained that students make their own textbooks by documenting what they are learning and highlighting what they need to remember.
"We don't give marks, it's all process evaluation," noted Kruegar. "We're always watching what they're doing, how they're doing. We're not teaching to see what they've memorized."
Kruegar did note that in the upper grades, he will offer pop-quizzes and go through Ministry textbooks to prepare the students for high school.
Many parents have expressed interest in building a Waldorf-model high school in the area, as the closest is in Toronto.
"(At the Ottawa Waldorf School) you'll get to enjoy learning," said Kruegar. "You'll get to enjoy a journey with other students through a very rich curriculum. When you have a class from grade one to grade eight, you build really strong bonds and respect."
Kruegar noted that the Ottawa Waldorf School offers, promotes and encourages a healthy lifestyle.
"It's a real focus on balance," he said. "You learn without always sitting at your desk. We take a real hands-on approach."
The Ottawa Waldorf School welcomes new students. It is an independent, non-denominational organization and is located at 1 Goulbourn St., Stittsville.
For more information call 613-836-1547, email ottawawaldorf@bellnet.ca or visit www.waldorf.cyberus.ca.
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