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WTE – Grades | WTE - Early Childhood
REGISTER ONLINE HERE for Housing and Meals
What is the West Coast Institute?
The West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy is a training institute in British Columbia, Canada, which provides courses for individuals who wish to learn more about Anthroposophy as expounded by Rudolf Steiner and others, and about Waldorf Education that has been developed out of the insights of Anthroposophy. The West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy was incorporated under the Society Act in British Columbia in 1998. It is a Developing Member of, and recognized by, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). This program is also registered with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia (PCTIA). A tax deduction receipt to show payment of tuition fees will be provided for all Canadian students in accordance with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency guidelines.
What is Anthroposophy?
“The consciousness of one’s humanity,” according to Rudolf Steiner, stands at the opening of the 21st century. Anthroposophy is a way of knowing ourselves as human beings. Grounded in an understanding of human destiny, Steiner’s life and work embraces the fields of education, the arts, the sciences, medicine, banking, biodynamic agriculture, and social and religious renewal. The programs and courses offered by the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy arise out of indications given by Rudolf Steiner in these various fields, and are open to all who seek to widen and deepen their consciousness of what it means to be human in our time.
What is the Aim of this Program?
Many challenges confront the healthy development of the child in our time. This program of professional grades teacher training in Waldorf Education is offered to those who seek to deepen their understanding of the experiences which life brings them. It will help them to recognize the culturally renewing impulses of our time within which the work of the Waldorf teacher is an essential activity. Students will be expected to attend all aspects of the program.
How is this Program Structured?
This is a four-year, part-time program. Throughout the four years, studies in Anthroposophy and
Waldorf Education are interwoven with artistic and practical subjects. Students will study books
on Anthroposophy, Waldorf Education and other relevant texts. The emphasis will be on
understanding all aspects of child development. The first year serves as an important orientation
year in which students become familiar with the concepts and ideas that are part of the Anthroposophical approach to education, as well as covering the first two grades of the Waldorf
curriculum. The following three-years take that familiarity and knowledge for granted and build
upon it. Each year is made up of a three-week intensive session in the summer, together with a
five-day session each Fall and a six-day session each Spring. The three-week session will be held at the Shawnigan Lake School, near Duncan, on Vancouver Island, whilst the Fall and Spring
sessions take place in North Vancouver, BC. During the rest of the year, students will carry out
assignments, and mentoring sessions, and an observation week, and practicums will be arranged.
The artistic courses have a two-fold purpose: to enhance personal self-development and creativity, and to provide a basis for the work of the teacher. Courses in painting, eurythmy, speech, singing, music, story-telling, clay-modelling, woodwork and Spacial Dynamics are among those offered. The development of a wide range of practical skills will enrich and support students as they implement the principles and practices of Waldorf Education. A major aim of the training is to reinforce independent thinking and self-reliance in each student, and also to awaken enthusiasm and creativity.
What are the Dates of this Program?
The dates of classes for the new intake’s first summer session are July 5th – 23rd, 2010. Registration and orientation will take place on the weekend prior to the start of classes. The Fall session’s dates for the first year are November 10th – 14th, 2010, and the Spring session’s dates are February 20th – 26th, 2011, with registration and a welcome opening the evening or afternoon before each of the sessions.
Successful Completion of this Program:
Students who successfully complete the full four-year, part-time program will be recognized as qualified and trained Waldorf teachers, and will receive a Waldorf Teaching Certificate. This Certificate will carry the approval and authority of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), as well as that of the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy (WCI).NOTE: Teachers must possess a BC. Provincial Teaching Certificate, or a degree that would qualify them to receive an Independent Schools Teaching Certificate, if they wish to teach in the Grades in a Waldorf School in British Columbia or Alberta, licensed by the respective Ministry of Education.
What are the Program Fees?
The cost of the three-week summer session, together with the five-day and six-day sessions in the Fall and the Spring, is $4,400.00 CDN. for each year. There is a one-time application fee of $100.00, and additional costs for the required course textbooks, as set out in the information package that is supplied to those who enroll. Program fees can, if preferred, be paid by installments, one month in advance, prior to each session. After this (postmarked) deadline, a late fee of $100.00 will be charged. Cancellations will be refunded in accordance with the requirements of the Private Career Training Institution Agency (PCTIA) of British Columbia. The West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy reserves the right to make changes to fees, policies, regulations and courses when deemed necessary, and as permitted by PCTIA.
Application Process
Application forms are available from the West Coast Institute by mail, or they can be downloaded using the link below and printed out. Additional documents required are:
- A note from a licensed physician confirming that the applicant is in good health, free from communicable disease, and fit to undertake training. (Students are advised to purchase additional medical insurance if travelling from outside of Canada).
- A criminal record check provided for by their local police department. Any charges involved must be borne by the applicant.
- A character reference letter from an employer, and one or two references from individuals not related to the applicant.
- A recent photograph of the applicant.
- A non-refundable, application processing fee of $100 (payable by cheque or money order and in Canadian funds) must be submitted with each application for admission, and made payable to the West Coast Institute.
Upon receipt of the necessary documents, and the above fee, the application will be processed and an interview arranged. Following acceptance, a full information package will be sent out, together with a list of required course textbooks, and information about meals and accommodation.
Entrance Qualifications
- Applicants must feel themselves to be on a path of discovery and self-exploration, and be open to exploring the ideas of Rudolf Steiner, their practical application in society at large, and their meaning and relevance to themselves on a personal level.
- Applicants should note that a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or an equivalent qualification is a requirement for those wishing to teach in Waldorf Schools in many provinces of Canada, and many states in the USA.
- Applicants may apply to be admitted to the first year of the program after its commencement if, for example, they have taught for some years in a Waldorf School without formal Waldorf training, and/or have taken equivalent courses elsewhere. Transcripts will be required, fully documenting each course taken.
- Applicants must expect to arrive for the program having familiarized themselves with the contents of the required course textbooks as indicated for the given year.
What is the Application Deadline?
The application deadline for registration is May 15th, 2010. Applications that are received after this date will be considered if there are still places available.
What Supplies are Needed?
Students will need a wooden recorder and Choroi diatonic flute, an apron for clay-work, pen and 3-ring binder, Stockmar stick and block wax crayons (sets of 8), coloured pencils and eurythmy shoes (or soft-soled canvas slip-ons). Information on sources will be provided. Required books will be listed prior to each session and can be ordered through the West Coast Institute. The West Coast Institute will supply other materials as needed.
What about Meals?
Meals and snacks, at reasonable cost, are readily available at all locations at the students' expense.
What about Accommodation and Travel?
Arrangements for accommodation and travel are the students’ responsibility. In the summer, housing can be arranged through the West Coast Institute Administrator. For the Fall and the Spring, accommodation is usually available in homes in North Vancouver. This can also be arranged through the West Coast Institute’s Administrator. The hosts must then be contacted directly by the students. Travel to and from the accommodations must be arranged by the students themselves.
What about Medical Insurance?
Students coming from outside of British Columbia should check the status of their medical insurance. This is the responsibility of the students.
REGISTER ONLINE HERE for Housing and Meals
Please register online if possible. If this is not possible, please send the necessary forms and payment to the West Coast Institute and the Administrator will enter you into the system.
Application Form
Course Outlines
Summer Session Information
2010
Housing - Meals Form 2010
Driving Directions 2010
Travel Directions 2010
Administrator:
Sarnia Guiton
West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy
P.O. Box 163
Sechelt, BC
V0N 3A0
Canada
Tel: 604-740-0676
Fax: 604-885-6170
email: info@westcoastinstitute.org