*Please RSVP Below
Dear DWS Families,
We are excited to invite you to our fifth talk of the year in our Adventures in Anthroposophic Education series on Wednesday, April 29th at 5:30PM.
Adventures in Anthroposphic Education – A Conversation of Curiosities and a Life’s Work in Waldorf Education with Waldorf icons and pioneers, moderated by Charlie Orphanides
The culmination of over 200 years of combined Waldorf wisdom together in one room, for one night. The stars aligned and we are the beneficiaries of the light they’ll produce.
Hear from the educators that have dedicated not only their careers, but their lives, to Waldorf education and who have played pivotal roles in the school we entrust our children to.In an education that centers and deeply nurtures curiosity and a love of learning – not just the outcome or the discovery, but the process itself – how are teachers engaged in this process, how does knowing form within them, and how do students stand to benefit? After our moderator’s nearly 20 years immersed in this education – exploring, experimenting, modeling, and guiding – what curiosities remain to seek the wisdom of our panel? Come find out!
It’s a conversation sure to reveal both enduring insights and questions that continue to inspire.
Meet the Panel
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Ina Jaehnig – High School Teacher and School Founder
Ina Jaehnig’s life journey has been deeply intertwined with the roots and growth of Denver Waldorf School. Born in 1943 outside Munich during World War II, Ina experienced Waldorf education from an early age in Stuttgart, where the Waldorf School had reopened after the war. In 1971 she moved with her family to Colorado. Soon after, they began a small kindergarten in their living room, gathering families and sharing Waldorf educational ideals. In 1974, alongside her husband Diethart and fellow pioneer Joan Condon, Ina helped establish the Denver Waldorf School, teaching full time and nurturing the young school through its early moves and challenges. In the early 90’s, she was invited to become a member of the pedagogical section and to join the AWSNA board, contributing to the development of Waldorf education beyond the local community. Over the decades, she has continued to shape Waldorf education locally and internationally while remaining a beloved teacher and guiding presence at the Denver Waldorf School, where her dedication still supports the life of the school today. |
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| Tom Clark – Honorarium Teacher, High School Art and Middle School Physics Teacher
Tom Clark has been a grade school teacher at DWS since 1985 and has taken three classes through the grades. Since 2010, he has been teaching art and science in the high school and science classes in the middle school. Tom brings experiential learning to the students through hands-on projects and with activities bridging the worlds of art and science. He is a Waldorf teacher trainer and mentor. |
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| Laurie Clark – Waldorf Mentor & Author
Laurie Clark has had the privilege of being a Waldorf early educator since 1978. She incorporates her therapeutic training into all aspects of the classroom and is in continual research through observation and constant engagement with the young child. The deep question of how to meet the children of today and exploring their needs in practical applications lies at the heart of her work. Laurie mentors teachers, is a frequent conference presenter, and has co-authored two books with Nancy Blanning on therapeutic movement for young children. |
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| Nancy Blanning – Waldorf Mentor & Author
Nancy Blanning is an early childhood educator with a special interest in movement and has been working with young children in Waldorf settings for nearly 40 years. She has served as Denver Waldorf School faculty since 1987 as both lead kindergarten teacher and educational support staff. Nancy is a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at national and international Waldorf early childhood conferences. She is co-director of Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training at Sunbridge Institute in Spring Valley, NY, and is a guest faculty at other teacher training programs. Nancy has also traveled widely as mentor and consultant to Waldorf schools in the US and Canada. She is editor of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association journal, Gateways, has edited several books, and is author of Walking With Our Children, Parent as Companion and Guide. DWS colleague, Laurie Clark, and Nancy have written and published movement imaginations for Waldorf early childhood teachers, Movement Journeys and Circle Adventures, Vol. 1 and 2.
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Meet the Moderator
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| Charlie Oprhanides – Education Director and Current 8th Grade Teacher
Charlie Orphanides has spent the last fifteen or so years as a class teacher, Games and Movement teacher, middle school math teacher, therapeutic movement specialist and circus arts teacher, and is now the Education Director (although this year he is generously standing in as 8th grade class teacher). Along with The Denver Waldorf School, Charlie has taught at the Brooklyn Waldorf School and Boulder Valley Waldorf School. Along with his deep commitment to forwarding the work of anthroposophy in the world, he has completed the 5-year In-Service training from the Spacial Dynamics Institute as well as a certification in Bothmer Gymnastics. After studying several modalities in intentional and therapeutic movement, Charlie has most recently immersed himself in a general study of somatic therapies and coaching, particularly around how to address the effects of trauma, both for individuals as well as in the classroom, including the Emergency Pedagogy courses with Bernd Ruf at the Kairos Institute. Along with the realms of movement, awareness and education, Charlie is personally interested in family, healing, creativity and laughter. |
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Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, April 29th
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: Music Room
- Childcare and dinner provided for kids: RSVP needed by 10 AM on 4/28 to ensure we have enough food and support for childcare
We look forward to seeing you there!
