Primary Steiner Teacher Education

A certificate course to prepare teachers for education of the whole human being.

about the course

The Primary Steiner Teacher Education Course provides a comprehensive pathway into Steiner education. The programme comprises eighteen modules, including three residential intensives and a school-based practicum, and is generally completed part-time over two to three years, with flexible study options available.

The programme has been designed for current and prospective teachers who wish to deepen their understanding of Steiner Education while continuing to balance professional, family and financial commitments.Its flexible modular structure allows participants to undertake individual areas of study or to work progressively towards completion of the full programme over several years.

The curriculum explores the foundations of Steiner education, child and adolescent development, the primary curriculum from classes 1-6, artistic and practical teaching methods, phenomenological observation and child study, inclusive education, communication, collegial leadership, and the inner development of the teacher.

The course consists of 18 modules and includes 166 hours of online learning, 120 hours of face-to-face residential intensives, and 120 hours of in-school practicum comprising over 400 hours of learning.

The course is delivered through a blend of live online learning, residential intensives, and school-based experience. Participants learn alongside experienced Steiner educators through lectures and presentations, collaborative dialogue, practical workshops, artistic activities, school-based learning, and assessment tasks designed to support the integration of theory and practice.A distinctive feature of the course is its emphasis on careful observation, self-enquiry, and reflective practice. These capacities are central to Steiner/Waldorf education and support the ongoing development of the teacher as an educator, colleague, and lifelong learner.The professional standards and guidelines addressed are identified within each course and module description.

Professional Development in
Primary Steiner Teacher Education

For those seeking professional learning rather than the full certificate, individual modules may be undertaken independently. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be available for relevant studies previously completed through the Seminar or other recognised education provider where the learning outcomes are comparable.

Participants receive a Professional Development Certificate following the successful completion of each module, detailing the module content, professional standards addressed, and hours completed.

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course guide HERE

who is the course for

recorder seminar steiner primary teaching intensive

The course is designed for a wide range of participants, including:

• qualified teachers and those preparing to become Steiner/Waldorf teachers
• educators transitioning from government or independent schools into Steiner education
• school leaders, including Heads of School and members of leadership teams
• specialist teachers and other staff working in Steiner/Waldorf schools
• professional development
• parents seeking a deeper understanding of Steiner education and child development
• anyone with an interest in the development of the human being, well-being, education, and the educational insights of Rudolf Steiner.

The course is particularly valuable as a bridging programme for registered teachers wishing to develop a thorough understanding of Steiner/Waldorf pedagogy and practice. At the same time, it offers a rich and engaging educational experience for people from diverse professional and personal backgrounds who are interested in the renewal of education and the development of the human being.

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

No previous teaching experience is required to enrol in the course.

Participants should:

• have completed secondary education (or an equivalent qualification)

• be proficient in spoken and written English

• have access to a computer (desktop or laptop) capable of running Microsoft Teams, together with a reliable internet connection for the online components of the course. As the course involves active participation, access to resources, and the completion of assessment tasks, phones and tablets are not suitable as primary devices.

• if undertaking the full Certificate Course, hold (or obtain) a current volunteer Working with Children Check (or equivalent clearance, such as the Blue Card in Queensland) for the state or territory in which the practicum will be completed.

• Purchase the required materials for each module.

The Certificate Course comprises 18 modules, carefully sequenced to provide a comprehensive foundation in Steiner/Waldorf education.

• Fourteen modules are delivered live online, allowing participants from across Australia and beyond to engage in interactive learning with experienced tutors and fellow participants.

• Three residential intensive modules provide opportunities for participants to immerse themselves in the artistic, practical, and community aspects of Steiner/Waldorf education. Retreats are held in various Australian locations, including Melbourne and the Northern Rivers, allowing participants to experience different school communities and learning environments.

• The final practicum module enables participants to bring together the knowledge, skills, and insights gained throughout the course through supervised observation, participation, teaching practice, and reflective engagement within a Steiner/Waldorf school.

 

The final module of the Certificate Course is a 120-hour supervised practicum undertaken in a registered Steiner/Waldorf school. Participants may complete the practicum in one school or divide the placement between two schools, with approval.

The practicum provides the opportunity to integrate the knowledge, skills, and understanding developed throughout the course into authentic classroom practice through observation, teaching, and reflective engagement.

The practicum module is available only to participants enrolled in the full Certificate Course and is undertaken after the successful completion of the first 17 modules.

Each module includes assessment activities designed to support participants in integrating theory, practice, and reflection.

Upon successful completion of a module, participants receive a Professional Development Certificate detailing:

• the module completed

• the learning outcomes and content covered

• the professional standards addressed

• the hours of professional learning completed.

Participants who successfully complete all 18 modules, including the practicum, are awarded the Certificate of Course Completion in Primary Rudolf Steiner Education.

While the modules have been designed as a carefully sequenced programme, they may also be undertaken individually as professional development.

Participants who enrol in individual modules receive a Professional Development Certificate for each module successfully completed but are not enrolled in the Certificate Course unless they formally register for the complete programme.

Participants who later decide to undertake the full Certificate Course may be eligible to have previously completed modules recognised towards the qualification, subject to the Seminar’s Recognition of Prior Learning and course requirements.

 

The online modules are delivered live, and participants are strongly encouraged to attend each session. Live participation provides valuable opportunities for discussion, collaboration, artistic activities, and engagement with tutors and fellow participants, all of which enrich the learning experience.

We understand that occasional circumstances may prevent attendance. For this reason, live sessions are recorded and made available for the term to enrolled participants, enabling them to catch up on missed content and continue their learning.

The three in-person residential retreats are an essential component of the course, and full attendance is expected. These immersive experiences provide practical, artistic, and collaborative learning that cannot be replicated online and form an integral part of the development of Steiner/Waldorf teaching practice.

 

Each module is carefully mapped against three complementary frameworks:

  • the Steiner Education Australia (SEA) Proficient Steiner Teacher education standards (HASTA)
  • the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Professional Standards for Teachers.  A certificate of AITSL Standards achieved is suitable for demonstrating PD hours with all state teacher accreditation bodies.
  • The Hague Circle International Guidelines for Steiner/Waldorf Teacher Education

For more information on the standards, see the ASTEA (Association Steiner Teacher Education Australia) astea.edu.au.

Go to Course Modules

Artwork created by students at an Intensive.

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