Mentor Training
Pedagogical Mentoring, Coaching, and Professional Development Pathways
2026
Wisdom into Practice: Pedagogical Leadership for Waldorf Teachers
Become a Mentor, Coach, and Professional Appraiser for Waldorf Teachers
Bring the wisdom of your teaching experience into a new role of service. This certificate-earning, high level training program offers comprehensive preparation in pedagogical mentoring, coaching, and professional evaluation. Through a focus on best practices, fresh perspectives, and innovative approaches, the Mentor Training Program equips you to meet these essential responsibilities with confidence and insight. As a graduate of this program, you will be prepared to offer mentorship, professional development, guidance, and evaluative support to a wide network of schools seeking assistance for their new and developing Waldorf educators.
Program Overview
This low-residency, certificate-earning program is designed for experienced teachers who wish to deepen their skills in pedagogical mentoring, coaching, and appraisal. Over the course of ten months, participants will engage in a comprehensive training that strengthens personal capacities and prepares them to better support practicing teachers in Waldorf schools today.
The program combines virtual and in-person learning. Participants will meet once a month on Saturdays for sessions with program faculty, covering all realms of Waldorf education: early childhood, grades, high school, and special subjects.
The program begins on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and concludes on Saturday, November 14, 2026. It also includes a week-long in-person residency from Sunday, June 28 – Friday, July 3, 2026.
Who should attend
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Experienced Waldorf educators seeking to strengthen their skills in pedagogical inspiration, mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
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Teachers and leaders interested in cultivating the capacities needed to serve as internal mentors within their faculty and beyond.
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Seasoned Waldorf educators and pedagogical chairs ready to bring their knowledge and experience to a higher level in service of the future of Waldorf education.
Benefits for Schools
Support your school’s growth by meeting teachers’ needs through effective pedagogical mentoring—an economical and sustainable way to provide in-house mentoring.
Save time and resources by sponsoring one or more seasoned teachers to complete this training, bringing best practices and professional mentoring skills back into your school community.
Strengthen faculty retention and morale by offering teachers ongoing professional support that helps them feel seen, guided, and valued.
Deepen alignment with Waldorf pedagogy by ensuring that faculty mentoring is grounded in anthroposophy and the shared values of Waldorf education.
Foster a culture of collaboration, collegiality, and continuous learning among your faculty.Ensure new and developing teachers are well-supported, increasing classroom success and reducing burnout.
Benefits for Individuals
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Cultivate your capacity and confidence to serve as a mentor, coach, evaluator, and a pedagogical leader
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Learn practical strategies for observation, feedback, communication, and conflict navigation
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Deepen inner development and personal renewal
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Experience meaningful artistic, reflective, and practical transformation elements
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Join an international community of committed Waldorf coaches and mentors in 2026
Just Imagine
As you complete this program:
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You meet colleagues with warmth, clarity, and skilled guidance- no matter the situation.
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You understand exactly what a teacher needs next and how to guide them.
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You serve as a steady, trusted voice contributing to a healthy, thriving school culture.
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Your school lives with a shared, thoughtful approach to mentoring and teacher support.
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Your own professional path unfolds into deeper service, pedagogical leadership, and meaning.
Independent Project
As part of the program, participants will:
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Actively engage in mentoring throughout the course.
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Keep a reflective journal documenting mentoring sessions, observations, dialogues, and lessons learned.
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Develop and submit a final project tailored to their individual circumstances and professional context, demonstrating integration of their learning into practice.
Karen Atkinson
Director of Mentor Training
Contact Karen directly with questions about the program.
INQUIRE
Click the program flier below to download it
What you’ll explore
We’ll meet virtually once a month on Saturdays from 12:00-2:00 ET, 9:00-11:00 PT and for one week in-person during the summer, from June 28 – July 3, 2026
Saturday, January 24, 2026 Online
Program Introduction and Workshop on The Seven Life Processes in Correlation to Professional Development
with Karen Atkinson
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev
Saturday, February 28, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Breathing in Correlation to Professional Development
with Sven Saar
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev
Saturday, March 21, 2026 Online
Professional Development Advisory and Group Work Session
with Karen Atkinson and Jason Child
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev
Saturday, April 18, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Warmth and Connecting in Correlation to Professional Development
with Sven Saar
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev
Saturday, May 16, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Nourishment and Soul Economy: Cultivating Sustainable Practices in Teaching
with Sarah Nelson
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev
June 28 - July 3, 2026 In-Person
Presentations, Workshops, Artistic Engagement, and Working Groups on Circulating, Maintaining, and Growing in Correlation to Professional Development Practices
with Carol Bärtges and Karen Atkinson
September 19, 2026 Online
Professional Development Advisory and Group Work Session
with Karen Atkinson and Jason Child
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev
October 17, 2026 Online
Presentation and Workshop on Producing: Translating Insights into a Professional Development Resource
with Program Faculty
Artistic Engagement with Malina Stoychev
November 14, 2026 Online
Program Culmination: The program concludes with a focus on bringing your work into the world.
Participants will engage in a Workshop on the Karmic Impact of Serving as a Leader in Professional Development, followed by presentations of their Independent Projects. This shared culmination honors both the inner journey of preparation and the practical contributions each participant brings to the wider Waldorf community.
with Lori Kran and Karen Atkinson
Tuition
Tuition for the 10-month program is $2,600. This fee includes all online sessions, workshops, and the week-long in-person intensive. (Travel and lodging for the in-person residency are not included.)
Receive a 10% discount when 2 or more individuals from the same school register together.
Contact us to receive a discount code.
Note: Canadian citizens may claim their currency exchange rate adjustment discount at registration checkout.
Prerequisites
- Participants must meet the following requirements to register for this training:
Hold a Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate from an AWSNA member institute or the equivalent.
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Have a minimum of five full-time years of teaching experience in an independent or public Waldorf school.
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Submit a letter of recommendation from their current school leadership.
For participants who are not currently teaching, please submit two letters of recommendation from schools where you have previously taught and/or mentored.
Enrollment
Given the high demand for this specialized professional development course and its interactive nature, enrollment places will be limited. *Register now to secure your spot!
Other Notes
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Financial Aid – Limited scholarships available, please contact the program director using the contact form.
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Cancellations – Requests received at least 30 days before the registration deadline will result in a full refund, less $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted if cancellation is received within 30 days of the program start date or while in session.
Mentor Training graduates, summer 2024
Testimonies from our Students
“The monthly meetings and pedagogy were essential. I left feeling more knowledgeable, confident, and able to guide with encouragement rather than direction.”
“This course gave me clarity and confidence in my role as pedagogical director—so grateful!”
“I learned so much myself. The course, especially Sven’s insights, was tremendously helpful and showed me how mentoring supports the future of Waldorf education.”
“The mentor training program has been a wonderful opportunity for growth and exploration. It blends thorough, well-balanced content with interactive sessions alongside experienced colleagues. I have been seeking the next step to support Waldorf education, and I have found it. ”
Faculty