Teaching World Languages in Waldorf Education
Each afternoon from 11:45 to 2:45 Pacific time world language teachers will gather together for presentations and discussions specifically relevant to teaching world languages in Waldorf education.
We welcome both new and experienced world language teachers to join us to share ideas, resources, and collegial support as we leave the sheltered first years of simple verses and songs to step into the full four-skill program of reading, writing, speaking, and listening with our 4th and 5th graders. Without neglecting essential background knowledge, we will focus on the nuts and bolts of how to engage our active learners and help them build confidence while expressing themselves in another language. Participants will leave with concrete strategies, ready-to-use activities, and inspiration to support their own teaching. Bring your own “greatest hits” with you to share with the group!
Meet the World Languages Team!
We are honored to be working with an amazing team of world language teachers who are teaching and leading this portion of the conference!
Dana Fleming-Robertson
Dana began teaching German at Yale University and Phillips Academy on the east coast. After 13 years as a Sunbridge-trained Waldorf class teacher at two start-up schools, teaching German to all the grades in her spare time, she is now officially the German teacher at the Great Oak Waldorf School, a part-time position without a classroom, but with all kinds of side roles, such as doing assessments, coming up with a school schedule that will work, editing end-of-year reports, etc. Dana serves on the Board of the Association for a Healing Education.
Marcela Stamulis
Originally from Argentina, Marcela arrived in Santa Barbara toward the end of 2000 and joined the Santa Barbara Waldorf School soon after. She brought with her fourteen years of experience as a class teacher in Argentina and began her work here as a Spanish teacher, guiding students from Early Childhood through eighth grade for nearly two decades. During those years, she also mentored Waldorf language teachers throughout Southern California and served as an evaluator for Spanish and German teachers in the region, as well as supporting many committees within the school.
In 2018, her path shifted when she took on a first grade at Santa Barbara Waldorf School—a class that later became a combined group and has remained with her ever since. This school year is especially meaningful as she will be graduating the first half of the class she began teaching in 2018, while the second half will continue with her into next year.
Santa Barbara Waldorf School has also been a home for her family. Both of her children graduated from the school, and this year her grandchild began in the Morning Glory class, adding a new and joyful chapter.
Now in her 25th year at Santa Barbara Waldorf School and her 39th year of teaching, Marcela continues to feel deep gratitude for the work, the school, and the community that have shaped her life. If given the choice, she would choose this path all over again.
