Meet the Class Teacher Team!
We are honored to be working with an amazing team of teachers who are coordinating and leading this portion of the conference! Together, Alan and Penni will explore the question: how can we ensure that the children, regardless of their learning profile, are working harder than the teacher!? You will be invited to reflect, collaborate, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of how to engage young teenagers as they enter a new stage of independence and enquiry.
Alan Swindell
Alan Swindell has worked in Steiner-Waldorf education for over forty-five years as a Grade, Subject and High School teacher, both in the UK and Holland. He was a school Principal for six years, worked for the Steiner Waldorf School`s Fellowship and has taught on several teacher education courses. He has helped pioneer two-and-a-half Steiner schools (two succeeded, one didn`t!) and his four children and two oldest grandchildren are all Steiner-Waldorf alumni. In recent years he has helped develop and deliver on-line courses that have reached Steiner-Waldorf teachers and parents in over 40 different countries.
Penni Sparks
Penni Sparks is joining us from Kona on the Big island of Hawaii. She is a 41-year veteran Waldorf educator. Most recently she’s the former director of Haleakala Waldorf High School; the former Pedagogical Director of Kona Pacific Public Charter School; the former faculty member of Rudolf Steiner College’s, Public School Institute, and Waldorf Court and Community School Teacher Trainings.
She taught high school drama, choir, English, math, history, and astronomy for 10 years before stepping-in as a class teacher to graduate 8 eighth grades. Penni is a well-traveled Waldorf educator evaluator, public speaker, workshop leader, and consultant to teachers, parents, and administration.
Also published author of 2 books:
The ABCs of Being Balanced: You’re Not Crazy; You’re Just Insane!
