Parent as Waldorf Teacher ?s

[mom4peace]

My son is almost 1 year and I'm considering entering a Waldorf training program in the future and have a few questions.

A little background:
My undergrad is in journalism and english, and I have the coursework for an MA in social sciences w/ a focus in environmental justice-- still need to complete and defend my thesis. I got pregnant, unplanned, at the end of graduate school. I absolutely love motherhood and my partner and I have made major readjustments so that I can stay home with our DS, however, I don't realistically think I can be a SAHM forever because student loan payments are imminent. DS's education is a very big issue for my family (as it is in most), and Waldorf seems to match my families values and focus more than any other educational system we've found. Teaching at a Waldorf school also seems like rewarding and fun work. The cost for DS to attend is, however, an incredibly inhibitive factor. So here's the breaker:

Do most schools give teacher's families breaks on tuition? Also, do most schools pay a reasonable salary--by that I mean at least starting $25K-$30. And lastly, how is the job market--is it possible to pick a region and likely get hired, or is it more of a take a job where there is a job kind of market? Thanks for any info!

[DimitraDaisy]

That isn't going to be any real help since it is about the UK, but

Originally Posted by mom4peace

Do most schools give teacher's families breaks on tuition?

It depends.

Also, do most schools pay a reasonable salary--by that I mean at least starting $25K-$30.

No. I don't know what they equivalent of $25K-$30 is but most schools definitely do not offer a reasonable salary around here.

And lastly, how is the job market--is it possible to pick a region and likely get hired, or is it more of a take a job where there is a job kind of market?

There is great demand, especially for properly trained teachers.

But, more importantly, it is going to be very hard to be a Waldorf teacher while having a young child. Especially being a class teacher. (Perhaps -- I've never been any other kind of teacher. I can imagine teaching kindergarten is also very demanding). It is also going to be hard to do a Waldorf training while having a young child, especially if it's not a weekend, part-time training. These things require so much of yourself, and they draw on the same forces that your own child draws from. (You can call them etheric forces but you don't have to. This sentence still holds true.)

It is by no means impossible and I don't mean to put you off, I just think it's better for you to take this into consideration now rather than later. Waldorf teaching is not a job you can do easily while 'on the side' while bringing up your own children, unless schools see the light, that is, and realise that a class could be carried by two teachers working together. But until then, it is not.You could of course become a subject teacher, and do, for example, Upper School English... supposing you found a school with an Upper School.

[yukookoo]

Not sure about Virginia at all. But in my area, There is a very well known and respected school that does a part time program. I think schools pay pretty well at least 30,000 more like 45,000 I would assume, but I don't really know. Cost of living here is ridiculous though, so im not sure how that's comparable to where you live.

I think if it is what you feel you want to do, go for it!

Also maybe look into opening an in home childcare that is waldorf inspired ?

Here is a link

http://steinercollege.yellowpipe.com/?q=node/11

http://www.lifeways-center.org/files...g_training.htm


Im sort of in the same boat. Now trying to combine past goals and education with a more waldorf approach and focus on being with dd

[mom4peace]

Thanks for the link yukookoo. One of our readjustments was moving to Virginia (where I'm from) from California--and we really miss it! I'm familiar with this program. The program in Portland is also a weekend program and I think cost of living is more affordable. There are a few programs out east. Someone posted on another forum that east coast and west coast programs have a different focus.

Good input DimitraDaisy. I've definitely considered the energy factor of both parenting and teaching drawing from the same source. It's a lot to think about.

[DimitraDaisy]

As I said, I didn't mean to discourage you -- even though I probably sound like I did! It's just that I've seen parents struggle, both through the training (although ours was full-time) and through teaching. As I said, there are also people who do it all. I just know that I could never do it, I don't have nearly as much energy! But perhaps you do

I was going to suggest you also post in the Waldorf Cafe forum, but you have done this already it seems

[Eben'sMama]

Here, at private, traditional Waldorf schools, teachers eho have kids at the school get 100% tuition remission (free tuition). This is a high COL area, but starting salaries are usually around $35,000, I believe. It is fairly easy to get a job, as there are many schools, as well as Rudolf Steiner College, in our area. There are also public charter or Waldorf Methods schools, where teachers make public school salaries but use the Waldorf curriculum.

Our Parent-Child/Preschool teacher went through the training at RSC while she had LOs. She said it was difficult at times, but manageable, and she is very glad to have done it. Her husband is also very supportive, so that makes a huge difference, I would think.

[beatee]

Not sure if this is any real contribution to the discussion, but I work as an assistant in a small (and very very lovely) Waldorf kindergarten, as well as being mama to a one year old daughter. Before I started I was very worried about being 'childrened out' (or, indeed, the strain on my etheric forces-although I would never really say that personally!), however it has gone incredibly well and I've found it really fits with my life right now.
The two actually seem to enrich each other, and the person who I'm striving to become in my work is also the person who I want to be as a parent, if that makes sense. So although it definitely can be draining, there are benefits as well as difficulties in having a field of work and home life that 'overlap' as it were-I definitely find my job more constructive and helpful in my parenting than if I were, say a, a lawyer or something. Being in the kindergarten inspires me to create a similarly nurturing and supportive environment for my own daughter, and practicing gentle discipline and appropriately meeting chilren's needs at work is preparing me very well to get through the toddler years and beyond! And I find that being a parent helps me at work, particularly when it comes to relationships with the children's parents. Plus the other staff are exceptionally understanding and supportive of my other responsibilities and priorities, which many employers are not (I am lucky to work with a fantastic, inspiring yet totally down to earth and pragmatic kindergarten teacher, in a quite progressive and very open minded kindergarten that isn't attached to a school and so doesn't have the same difficulties and constrictions that many seem to have, and this may be a big factor in why I love it so much)
However, I am of course an assistant, rather than a teacher. And I work part time (3 days a week), and study (something entirely unrelated) as well, so I do get 'breaks' from it all. Assistant posts do not pay well, so I don't know if that would be any sort of option for you(maybe short term just to get a toe in the water and see how you like it?) I'm don't think I personally could cope with having the responsibilities of the teacher, as well as my own young child, especially not full time-but that may just be me. I am seriously considering training as a kindergarten teacher one day, but not until my own child is a lot bigger. Someone else on this thread mentioned waldorf inspired home daycare-this is something that I would certainly like to pursue once I have a bit more experience as an assistant.
Best of luck with your decisions!