2012-2013 Calendar

August 15: First Day of School

for grades students (FULL DAy) ———

August 20: First Day of School for Early Childhood Education students

———For the complete calendar, please visit

www.lindenwaldorf.org/calendar

Linden Waldorf School • 615.354.0270 • LindenWaldorf.org3201 Hil lsboro Pike , Nashvil le , TN 37215

Summer 2012

Somewhere in the early grades, the word

“Pentathlon” begins cropping up in Waldorf conversations. What? Another ceremonial event? Well, yes, but the Pentathlon is—in my view—unsurpassed in scope, spectacle and its resonance with the participants. Indeed, it has become a highly anticipated tradition at Waldorf schools across America and a fifth-grade rite of passage.

Essentially the Pentathlon is the culmination of the study of ancient civilizations, in particular Greece during its golden age. The students’ imaginative immersion in this culture, with its emphasis on grace and beauty and the ideal form, is made real by their earnest re-enactment of the original Olympic experience.

So, in late April our own fifth-graders, ably prepared by Ms. Johnson and Ms. Roff, joined their counterparts from other southeastern Waldorf schools at Camp Twin Lakes near Atlanta for the 2012 Pentathlon. A crucial fact is that students do not compete as schools, but rather are individually sorted into ancient Greek city-states.

The highlight of the opening ceremonies is the moment when each student learns whether he or she will wear the colors of Athens, Sparta, Corinth, or Thebes. For the next two days the students will practice, play and bunk together in these groupings.

Parents are wisely urged to let most of this event unfold without their presence. Fifth- graders are on the cusp of adolescence, and this is a perfect opportunity for each of them to become more confident, disciplined and respectful. Arriving at the actual “competition” on the final day, we parents were struck by the atmosphere of hushed reverence (well, okay … hushed until the final

relay race). Equally stunning were the faces of intense focus as each child sought a personal best in long jump, discus, javelin, wrestling and running.

Most amazing of all, perhaps, was the total absence of preteen self-consciousness.

Picture it: over a hundred fifth-graders wearing Greek chitons (tunics), throwing javelins, and not a whiff of embarrassment, awkwardness or indifference. I call that a miracle!

For the rest of their lives these children will carry with them some knowledge of classical ideals (and human fallibility). In a sense, they became ancient Greeks— intellectually, emotionally and physically. Such lessons are not forgotten, and that, more than laurel wreaths or even new friendships, is the real beauty of the Pentathlon.

~Peter Goodwin, LWS parent

Waldorf Pentathlon: a rite of PassageCongratulations to the Class of 2012

Ryan BeahmHillsboro High School

———Rebecca Beazley

Big Picture High School ———

Mac BentleyNashville School of the Arts

———Emily Bridgers

University School of Nashville ———

Clara DeHartHarpeth High School

———Corbitt Dicker

Montgomery Bell Academy ———

Josef DoyleHillsboro High School

———Andrew Forbes

Hume-Fogg Academic MagnetVanderbilt School for

Science and Math ———

Eliza FrensleySt. Cecilia Academy

———Katherine FrensleySt. Cecilia Academy

———Brenner Jennings

Nashville School of the Arts ———

Carter MaggipintoHillsboro High School

———Haley Morrill

University School of Nashville ———

Will Mason MosesUniversity School of Nashville

———Daisy Rudin

University School of Nashville ———

Rachel Van ZenHillwood High School

sFor the rest of their lives these children will carry with them some knowledge of classical ideals (and human fallibility).

Linden Waldorf School will host the 2013 Pentathlon in Nashville! More details available in the Fall.

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Class of 2012 PerspectivesRyan Beahm

I have learned so much from this school, not just facts but how to learn in general. One of the things I learned at Linden is how to be creative and think outside the box. Learning to use my creativity has done a world of good in everything from language arts to science and math. While I’m more a science and math person, art is what illustrates my thoughts. Next year, and for the rest of my life, I think these skills will be of great value to me.

Rebecca Beazley

(Excerpt from her poem) The Earth evolves,And we move with it.Taking our memories,

Leaving our legends, and sharing our stories as we go.The state we create,In which we graduate,Fizzles the excitement,Regrets, and reminisces,And the Future, it seemsBegins to smile.

Mac Bentley

I’d like to thank the entire Linden community, because there are too many amazing people here to thank individually. I’d also like to thank my class for making my experience here more than school. I really got to know you guys over the years. Finally, I’d like to thank my parents because they “drank the Kool-Aid,” not knowing how Linden graduates would do in the future. Well, they’re doing great and I hope to live their legacy.

Emily Bridgers

We recently got back from our amazing eighth grade class trip. It was remarkable. I want to especially thank Mrs. Emahiser for spending so much time creating the perfect trip for our class. It was a really nice way to spend the last bit of our time together as a class … we hiked through beautiful arches and canyons, saw amazing landscapes, rafted/floated down the Colorado River, and became closer as a class.

Clara DeHart

This is the best school EVER!! I am really sad to be leaving, but I’m also really excited about high school. I would like to thank all my teachers for

preparing me for anything that may happen in my life. I would also like to thank all my classmates for always being creative, fun, and totally crazy. I will really miss this school, and I will never forget it.

Corbitt Dicker

What I appreciate about Linden [is] that every day is memorable. I am proud that I have come from such a whimsical, wonderful, warming, wooden-toyed, World Wide Web withholding, woodworking, world-educating, wistful, welcoming, warm hearted, well-rounded Waldorf school that I call home.

Josef Doyle

I have been connected to Linden Waldorf pretty much

all my life. I have personally attended Linden for about 7 years. It’s been great. Some of my best friends are here and I have known some of these people since I was literally born and they are all like family to me and I will miss them greatly once we have left here. I would like to thank … a few people specifically such as Ms. Emahiser, Ms. Wang, Ms. Lowe, Mr. Bale, Ms. Roff and Sra. Goldfarb.

Andrew Forbes

Something that I [appreciate now], is how we were introduced to math. We were told about Patty Plus, Muriel Minus, Timmy Times, and Duke Divide. Patty Plus … collected things, Muriel Minus carried around a bag with a hole …, Timmy Times jumped from stone to stone counting … and Duke Divide cut a fruit in half with a sword. Our

class has always shared a special bond … whether we met only two years ago, or have known them ever since the very beginning, each one of us has give each other a gift that can never be taken or replaced. We have all helped shape each other into not the class, but the family.

Eliza Frensley

My time at Linden has taught me to never stop doing what you like to do. The great times I spent with my class are in my memory. The unique qualities I have gained from the teachers, staff and all the students are etched into every living part of my body. Left in my mind, will and soul are all the things that I am leaving behind. I will return again and again in my memory and my time at Linden will enliven my life for years to come.

excerpts From Graduation Speeches

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Katherine Frensley

Linden is an amazing school. When I came everyone talked about eighth grade: how cool it would be and about going on the eighth grade field trip. I remember every year we would talk about different places we wanted to go. Some of the ideas were Thailand and New Zealand, but we went to Utah, which was a wonderful experience: sleeping outside, looking at the stars at night and being with my friends. I feel that these last few months as a class have brought us together more.

Brenner Jennings

Getting to see your best friends change in front of you, you never realize how different they were 6 years ago until you look at pictures reminding you of the great travels you have been through, and how much

you’re going to miss these crazy people you have grown up around. I would like to thank the amazing teachers I have had over the years. You were my teachers long before you stepped into the classroom.

Carter Maggipinto

What I appreciate about Linden is its uniqueness. Even the name’s unique; every time someone asks me where I go to school … [my] answer somehow turns into a lecture on Waldorf education and by the end they look exhausted and I’m even more exhausted and think to myself why didn’t I just say it’s an art school! I would like to thank my family for all their support and for giving me the opportunity to go to this amazing school.

Haley Morrill

The teachers here teach you how to think outside of the

box, beyond all of the scientific facts, and into a world full of endless possibilities. As I’m sure most of you know, in a Waldorf school you stay with the same class for the entire time in grade school, for better or for worse. Out of all the wonderful aspects in Waldorf philosophy, this fact is by far the one I admire most.

William Mason Moses

The difference between [Linden and my previous school] was like living in a tiny black box and thinking that to be the whole world, and suddenly being put in a utopia where everything was not black and white but full of color and life. Here, instead of being forced to read textbooks aloud I was encouraged to move and play and draw. Instead of just writing a five paragraph essay on something we drew it, sang it, and acted it. How could any essay compete with that?

Ching Li Wang Class Teacher 1st-4th Grade

I am very proud of what you have accomplished thus far. I know that wherever you go, the work you accomplished here will travel with you and wherever you dedicate your head, your heart, and your hands, you will find success. Here’s my final blessing to you in Chinese: 祝你一帆風順. Good luck on your voyage!

Julia Emahiser Class Teacher 7th-8th Grade

What is it that these students carry within themselves from this kind of schooling that makes it so valuable? There isn’t any one word that would tell you, but I do know that I had something that I wanted to awaken. That something was self-reliance, the ability to look inside oneself to find capabilities, make judgments,

grow inner resources and gain independence. My wish for these graduates is that they never forget the morning verse as a reminder of what life is all about and I wish each and everyone of them well in high school.

Daisy Rudin

It feels like so many “lasts” right now;

however, we are having a FIRST experience that will help us grow into the fantastic high schoolers we will soon become. I will go on through the rest of my life having experienced

these terrific times with you and always having a special place in my heart for all of you. I love you all so much and because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

Rachel Van Zen

Waldorf has taught me to be more creative and look at things from a different perspective, and I will remember that for the rest of

my life. I want to thank my friends, family and teachers for giving me love and encouragement when I needed it the most.

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As our children graduate their respective grades,

Carter from 8th and Oliver from 1st, one of the hallmarks of their education is that it is experiential. Artwork, music, and movement have brought life to the curriculum and an appreciation of beauty. The process has been valued as well as the finished product. Our time at Linden has also acted as a homing device for mindful living in our very busy family life. Each season is savored and appreciated. I treasure memories of lantern walks, birthday celebrations and rainbow bridge ceremonies. The nurturing environment of the school has increased our children’s confidence, encouraged creative thinking, and most of all given them a love for learning and a sense of wonder. I believe that all of these things and more have combined to give our children an experience that will help them weather life’s challenges and deepen their capacity to appreciate life’s blessings.

~Dan and maria maggipinto

What I hope will endure from our Linden

experience are the celebrations: celebrations of living, the preciousness of children, the rhythms of being, and the endeavor to surround ourselves with beauty by making the creation of beauty a part of every process. This 8th grade class is a community of leaders who, with the guidance of their teachers, learned to communicate, negotiate, ask for what they need, advocate for justice, and work through their differences to accept and love one another. We are most grateful for the Herculean efforts of all of the adults and children at Linden Waldorf School to make this miracle our reality.

~Susanne Frensley

It is difficult to distill nine years at Linden Waldorf

School into a few sentences, so at the risk of sounding trite and unimaginative, I’ll say that Andrew’s years here have played a huge part in making

him into the person he is today. Concomitantly, our entire family has benefited in untold ways. We are truly indebted to LWS, its teachers, staff, and fellow students and families, and feel privileged to have been part of such a wonderful community for all these years.

~Harriet and David Forbes

As Linden parents who arrived in the 7th grade,

we will remember most that the welcoming by other parents and faculty/staff eased the transition from being “new” to being “a part of” LWS. We enjoyed growing with Rebecca as she used her own style to meet the challenges of moving to a new and unique school. She continued to use her own sense of caring, her love of nature, her humor, and her determination as she re-discovered herself as an explorer of new learning. Best of all, in the Waldorf environment, she re-awakened and nurtured the music and

creativity that have always been a special part of who she is. Thank you to everyone who has taken the opportunity to experience Rebecca here at LWS!

~marge Wozny and rip Beazley

Our eight years at Linden have passed by so

quickly. I look at Haley and see a beautiful, intelligent and reverent young person. I know that her time spent here has contributed greatly to who she has become. This school will always be the foundation for her mind, body and spirit; fed by the love of our community, conviction of the Waldorf philosophy, and the freedom “to be.”

~Christine morrill

There is no other education that cherishes children

and childhood more than Waldorf. We are so glad we came back for the girls to be part of such a nurturing, creative and inspiring community. We are thankful to their teachers, friends and other parents for their guidance and friendship. If you ever have doubts about a Waldorf education come to an eighth grade graduation. Every time

I witnessed graduation I was so impressed with how mature, insightful and self-assured the children were. It’s exactly what I wanted my children to be … and now they are. Linden is the greatest gift we have ever given Katherine and Eliza and I know it will shape and guide them the rest of their lives.

~Chip Frensley

I knew Linden Corner, now Waldorf, School was

the place for us and our children after the first visit. I walked across the bridge after visiting nearly with tears in my eyes, thinking what an amazing place it was and that Maggie and Mac must come here. We never really considered any other choice. Eight years and many changes later, I’ve never doubted it was the right decision. The staff, community and kids have been wonderful and a learning experience for the whole family. I can’t imagine a tighter, more inclusive school community than LWS. It is with sadness that this journey draws to a close, and I wish the best to the kids, families and the greater whole.

~Wm Bentley

For our family, Daisy’s returning to Linden

Waldorf for middle school was like coming home. Although Daisy hasn’t been baking bread every [week] like she did at Linden Corner, the feeling of home and family that simple activity created among her classmates remains. Watching Daisy grow, with the confidence that she can master things she thought she’d never do, has been wonderful. Seeing her come to life within her class, her “other family,” has been priceless.

~Amy and Dan rudin

Reflections from Eighth Grade Parents*

The Class of 2012

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I’ve been at the school for 17 years now!!! Josef is the

last of my three kids to go here. The school has been the central community of my life, and there is no doubt that I will figure out a way to remain in the heart of it. The whole point of Waldorf education for me was the pervasive reverence for the earth, the body, and the soul, and its expression in beauty to surround the child. These things are delicate and elusive, and our community nurtures them and protects them. I hope that my children have internalized that reverence; it’s sometimes hard to see, they being teenagers and all; but there are glimmerings that give me hope. I hope that both the kids and the school will always be full of reverence, passion, dedication and idealism.

~Alex von Hoffmann

I remember so clearly coming to a Waldorf morning 7

years ago to learn more about what was then Linden Corner School. I had an excitement and sincere hope that this place could really live up to all the wonderful ideas that were espoused that morning. It felt like a leap of faith to move out of the public school system to a place that had no textbooks and no grades. The Waldorf curriculum and the people who brought it to life have been fabulous and exceeded our expectations So, it is with sadness, but also with excitement, that we move on to the next phase of Clara’s education. I know that she has been given a gift that will provide a base for her future education as well as her approach to the world around her. The leap of faith was absolutely worth it.

~Allison DeHart

“We must not chain children’s minds

to finished concepts, but give them concepts capable of further growth and expansion. We must give them living concepts, capable of transformation. But this can be achieved only by an imaginative approach in all subjects.” “The true aim of education is to awaken real powers of perception and judgment in relation to life and living. For only such an awakening can lead to true freedom.” These are two of our family’s favorite Rudolf Steiner quotes. Our daughter, Rachel, has been lucky enough to have 12 years of Waldorf education. We are eternally grateful to her experienced Waldorf teachers. Not reading until she was ready in third grade has given her a large imagination, ease and love of reading.

~Denise and Scott Van Zen

Twelve years ago we discovered Waldorf

education and its promise to provide a developmentally appropriate education along with strong academics, heightened social and environmental awareness, and preservation of students’ natural creativity and curiosity. Fred said, “So you want to make Ryan a Jedi Knight?” Now here we are with Ryan, a young man with an enormous curiosity, an appreciation of literature, science and the arts, the ability to think for himself, and a strong sense of fair play and teamwork. Not a bad combination. These graduating students are an exceptional group of kids who care for each other and the world they live in. Their journey begins a new chapter, but the fabric of their Waldorf education will remain woven into their lives.

~Fred and Kristen Beahm

Our Time: Poem For 2012These were the sweetest times:

Times of intricate imaginings and softly hued edgesLong, languid days gently unfolding

SlowlyFlying by, in the blink of an eye

These were days of unabashed Outright living and learning,Hardcore unleashed playing,

Feeling, exploring, experiencingDays of confusing intensity

And invisible closeness,Uninhibited loving

Circles of acceptance and rhythm;Rhymes—of Times, far and near

Weaving inner and outerWorlds, selves, threads, patterns:

Bright richly colored patternsRhymes, Equations, Lives

Spiraling out was the unfolding of our daysOur bodies becomingOur souls connectingOur spirits awakening

Moving to harmonies heard and sensedAncient and fresh and known.

Standing tall and alone

Following with derived courage the encoded paths before usWe spiral inward again

In tidal certaintyWe breathe

Interpreting the formulae, living the equations,Deciphering the Truth within and around us

We strive in strength to be the oneWho becomes One again in unity and in

Abiding love

Stretching, balancing, focusing our willSharpening and shaping our tools, our world, our skill

Tending our gardens, cultivating our heartsWe collect the starlight,

The grains of sand,And hold them like a rare captured snowflake

In our cupped and awe-stricken hands;Like the precious moments of our lives

We store them in our memory box: Our collectibles of these sweetest times:

… a fairy’s wing, a robin’s egg, a silk cape, a king’s crown, a wooden spoon, a hand-stitched doll, a first recorder, a class

photograph … ~Anna Bridgers, presented at the 2012 graduation ceremony

*Excerpts from 8th grade parent letters.

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Class of 2007Alex Cinelli enjoyed his first year of college at Earlham. He took another year of Spanish, enjoyed art classes, philosophy, and especially geology. He will be working this summer as well as taking a week to backpack a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. He is returning early to Earlham to help with new student orientation—a little bit of payback for how nice everyone was to him when he was moving in last summer.

Oona Doyle had a good year at Pitzer College in California, although she says being there has made her realize how proud she is of being a “southern girl.” She took courses in ethnomusicology, economics, anthropology, Russian literature, and so on. This summer she is working as a waiter at Bella Napoli in Edgehill Village, enjoying it very much. She is taking next semester off and going on an 11-week-long National Outdoors Leadership School (NOLS) course in Patagonia.

Abe Scott will be transferring from UT Chattanooga to UT Knoxville to, among other things, take advantage of their larger Economics Department.

Class of 2008Aiden Holley has orchestrated a 6-month trip abroad. He will travel to France and Switzerland with friends from the Academe of the Oaks, Atlanta’s Waldorf high school. Afterward he will volunteer at an organic dairy farm in Alsace, France, and volunteer at a Waldorf school in Munich, Germany. Aiden will be attending University of Georgia in Athens (after all, that was his 5th grade Olympic state!!) in January. He plans to focus on their

landscape architecture program, one of the best in the country, and to minor in a language or two! Aiden is already fluent in German and working on Spanish and French. In addition, Aiden was accepted to Guilford and Ogelthorpe liberal arts colleges with presidential scholarships.

Amanda Howell studied piano at Nashville School of the Arts and Blair. Her family credits her Waldorf background for her natural ease to move from piano to singing to painting to acting to poetry. She will further pursue her interests in fine arts this fall when she attends Watkins College on scholarship. This summer Amanda will serves as a counselor at Linden Waldorf School’s summer camp and travel cross-country to San Francisco for the national poetry slam called Brave New Voices.

Josh Kutsko received academic excellence awards in fine arts, math, English, Spanish and science this year at USN. He also received (along with three others) the Outstanding Senior Award. Josh will head to Harvey Mudd College in California where he will study math and/or physics while also receiving a liberal arts education. He looks forward to participating in the Clairmont College combined orchestra. Josh received the prestigious Harvey Mudd scholarship, which offered a significant reduction in tuition. He credits Linden Waldorf for igniting his interests in both the sciences and the arts.

Class of 2009Andrew Bridgers is truly loving his high school experience at USN. He has enjoyed, along with classmate Miro Hurdle, being a part of the USN Ultimate Frisbee Team and mock trial team. This year’s boys’ Frisbee team won both

the State and the Southerns (regional) tournaments. Andrew scored in the 94th percentile in the National Spanish Exam. His summer plans include working for an environmental consulting firm and traveling to Denmark! Andrew hopes to rock climb, camp, white-water raft, and play music as much as possible.

Hannah Doyle finished her 11th grade year and plans to go to Tanzania again in July to volunteer at the same orphanage as she did last summer.

Jesse McNutt played goalie on Hillsboro High School’s varsity soccer team this year. This summer, he is going to Wilmington, NC, for one week to work on a farm as a “gleaner,” harvesting leftover crops for those in need.

Jaisal Merchant is an active participant in Big Brother/Big Sister, mock trial, and on a successful Ultimate Frisbee team. This year, Jaisal received a bronze medal for the National Spanish Exam, founded the Indian Culture Club at USN and earned a degree in Kathak, a classical Indian dance form. She plans to play summer league frisbee, continue the work she started last year at a Neuroscience Lab at Vanderbilt University and weather the monsoon season in India this summer.

Michael Ross has loved the boarding experience at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee, and was voted by his peers to be a student proctor in his senior year. Outside of the academic studies and the most important social life of a high school student (!), he has been involved in at least one theater production each year, and is

very involved in athletics. He is on the varsity soccer team, and has developed a passion for distance running. He, along with a few other student and faculty runners from St. Andrew’s, made up the only high school team to run the Ragnar Relay from Chattanooga to Nashville. They finished very respectably—placing 89th overall, with over 200 teams competing! Michael has finally caved to coaching pressure and will be joining the football team as a defensive/offensive end in the coming fall. His distraught mother is awaiting an official response to her petition to allow defensive ends to play the game from inside a giant gerbil ball. Her one-signature petition has not as yet elicited any official response.

Gabe Scott looks forward to spending a month in Scotland before entering his senior year at Nashville School of the Arts.

Emma Smith earned a gold medal for outstanding performance in the National

alumni news

Annual Alumni Reunion

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Latin Examination. She was proud to be chosen to participate in a six-week intensive summer program with the American Dance Festival, hosted at Duke University. She will engage in collaborative work with the ADF faculty and extraordinary musicians in courses that include Contemporary

Technique, Improvisation, Reperatory, Ballet, Hip Hop and Composition.

Class of 2010Hannah Burr is spending five weeks this summer in visiting Denmark, Sweden and Spain. She finished her junior year at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee with straight A’s and looks forward to her junior year in Ecuador.

Emily Stewart continues to share her musical gifts. She sang the national anthem for one of MBA’s football games and a couple of Harpeth Hall basketball games. For the MBA/HH production of Twelfth Night, she composed the musical score in collaboration with several MBA students. She sings in the Chamber choir at HH, enjoys dance company, and was inducted into the National Thespian Society. After passing her Grade 8 ABRSM exams with merit in May, she is beginning her work on her harp diploma. She

looks forward to singing with her church’s youth choir at the National Cathedral.

Class of 2011Jack Duke had a great first year at MBA. He played football in the fall and his coach commented that he was the “most improved player” and

the “most coachable” student. He earned a gold medal on the National Latin Exam and the National Spanish Exam, scoring in the 96th percentile in that one! Jack is also thrilled to be in the fall musical The Lucky Stiff with fellow alum, Emily Stewart.

Margo Goldfarb had a really good year at Franklin High School. Made friends, laughed, learned something, and represented her school on the JV Soccer Team, Freshman Basketball team, and did the long, high and triple jump on the Track team. Completed/survived her first AP course. “A” Honor Roll. First place Spanish 2 “Academic Tournament” Columbia State Community College, gold medal, National Spanish Exam, and of equal importance, was voted by her classmates to represent her English class in the First Annual FHS Poetry Slam in which she recited a poem taught to her by the wonderful Mr. Sheen.

Canon Henderson had a marvelous year at Hume-Fogg. She was in the Wizard of Oz, went on choir tour to Disneyworld, and managed to keep an overall average of 93. She is ready to hit summer and read and return to her knitting projects. Speaking of which, she placed first in the Southern Alpaca Show for a short faux

cable scarf with handmade broach. This summer she is off to Camp Ocoee and going on a mission trip. Otherwise, she is just going to take it easy. This next fall she starts AP classes and is cast in West Side Story with a solo of “Somewhere.”

Natalie Longo continues to charm as a freshman at St. Cecilia Academy. She was voted by her class to be Freshman Attendant at the Winter Formal and has been chosen to be a cheerleader for the Varsity wrestling team at MBA!

Shaan Merchant successfully navigated the academic terrain at USN this year (with an A average and a silver medal in the National Spanish Exam) and took advantage of many extracurricular offerings. He participated in several theater productions, joined the bowling team, mock trial team and, of course, culinary club. Shaan was particularly honored to be voted to represent his class on the

student-run Disciplinary Board, where he will hopefully be able to draw on all the values instilled in him by his wonderful Waldorf teachers.

Emma Sloan received awards at Ensworth High School in every possible category: Cum Laude in every academic subject (95 or above avg), 97th

percentile in National Spanish exam; extracurricular award in the arts for violin and singing; athletic award for making the All-State team in cross-country. Her family thanks “her Waldorf influence for much of her attitude and abilities.”

During the past school year, Anwen Wilkerson played violin for Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s Romeo and Juliet; violin and dulcimer (as bandleader) for Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch; and viola for Blackbird Theatre Company’s Pacific Overtures. May 31-July 8, she will perform as the Fiddler (and play mandolin) in Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. Anwen received the silver medal from the National Latin Exam and 1st, 2nd, and 5th place ribbons at the Mid-State Latin Convention. She was a member of the USN girls’ lacrosse team, which went to the state tournament this year (thanks, Ms. Roff, for introducing Anwen to lacrosse!).

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every day, a Blank Page

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Every day our grades students are faced with a blank page. We ask them to listen, digest, discuss and create. These morning lesson books offer just a peek into their rich morning block work.

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division

MeasureMent

Creative writinG in spanishanCient eGypt anCient eGypt

renaissanCe BioGraphy Latin aMeriCan GeoGraphy

FarMinG

oLd testaMent stories

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eiG

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Gra

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sixt

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Fou

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stories oF saints and heroes

tennessee GeoGraphy

anatoMy industriaL revoLution

physiCs

roMan history

eurasian BioMesBusiness Math

aMeriCan history

FraCtions

tennessee history

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GlanCinG BaCk: The Year in Pictures

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Festivals and Events

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Daily Life

GlanCinG BaCk: The Year in Pictures

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GlanCinG BaCk: The Year in Pictures

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2012 Graduates

The art of Storytelling in Waldorf educationThe ancient art of storytelling

is practiced throughout Waldorf Education from early childhood through high school. It is a multifaceted jewel, working on many aspects of a child’s development, while teaching them simultaneously.

Worldwide, stories have been used for thousands of years to teach children, yet today this is rapidly declining. The oral story engages a child completely, creating an opportunity for deep and effortless learning. Storytelling is an essential teaching tool in a Waldorf classroom, used for instruction not diversion. They are used in all parts of our curriculum, including morning lesson, language arts, math, science, history, foreign language, painting, music, strings, handwork, woodworking, spacial dynamics and even gardening.

Stories stimulate a child’s imagination. Living into the stories they hear, children create their own internal pictures, distinctly different from the preformed images seen in modern media or even picture books. Stories still children outwardly and activate them inwardly. The stories within the Waldorf curriculum are chosen to meet children where they are at each particular age, whether it be fairytales for first graders or tales of revolutions for eighth graders. Waldorf teachers take great care in their tone and gesture during stories to best deliver them. They

include details and elements to appeal to individual children, captivating their attention in a way that improves listening skills and attention span. Close attention is also paid to language, therefore creating opportunities for language development, increased vocabulary, and improved reading skills. Teachers also use stories to guide behavior, working wonders in the social fabric of the class.

Storytelling is a human experience emboldened with strong imagery that helps children understand the world around them. Children enter the experience in a story and integrate it as their own experience. The images they carry internally help them process a range of their own emotions.

Stories provide the architecture for our lives. They bring us some knowledge of how the world works, and knowledge of ourselves within the world. They help us to organize our thoughts, find patterns in events, bring order to experience, and discover meaning in confusion. They inspire us, enliven us, and even entertain us, opening our hearts and touching our souls. Stories are good for people of all ages, but are especially needed during the formative years of childhood.

We are blessed to have the wisdom of storytelling and this time-tested teaching tool for the children here in our school.

~molly eaton, eC faculty.

3201 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, Tennessee 37215laura aSkS

Sonia merchant .....................managing editorKathryn Koehler ............ editor, Print editionLaura Duke .............................editor, e-editionsmari Beth Sartain ................editor, e-editions

ricardo Beron ............................... PhotographyBrydget Carrillo ..................Graduate PhotosKristen Beahm .......................Graphic Design

For the past year, Mari Beth Sartain has greeted you in the office. Many of you

may just hear her voice on the phone or see her in the office on occasion. I wanted you all to get to know the warm, funny woman I had the privilege of working with everyday! Please enjoy reading about Mari Beth.

LD: How did you hear about Linden Waldorf School? MBS: I heard about LWS from a friend of David Olney’s who was completely impressed by Lily Olney. I visited LWS for the first time while still pregnant and declared my intention to enroll my child. Edie and I participated in the parent child circle as soon as I could get her in. I remember thinking I will never be able to sing that high. I still think that in our all school assemblies.

LD: Tell me about some of your prior work experience. MBS: I spent nearly 10 years as a translator for the Japanese staff at a Nissan manufacturing subsidiary. I also headed the kaizen (continuous improvement) department for that company and each year took groups of engineers and maintenance personnel over to Japan to study their Kaizen methods. I had some amazing bosses who taught me a lot about kaizen, running a company, and getting maintenance guys from Tennessee to eat raw blowfish in Japan!

LD: What do you like to do in your spare time? MBS: I don’t have much spare time but when I do, you’ll find me at 12South Iyengar Yoga Studio where I teach yoga and practice. Also, I love music! Some of my favorites are: the Punch Brothers, Yann Tiersen, Richard Thompson, and Tim Obrien. I like to travel … I’ve trekked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, played golf in Zimbabwe, watched the ballet in Vienna, danced the tango in Argentina, hiked the calanques in France and skied the Japanese Alps, to name a few highlights. I have many more!

LD: What is one thing you love about working in the LWS office. MBS: I love getting to know the children and witnessing how the Waldorf curriculum works to nurture each child’s imagination, natural curiosity, and love of learning. It’s a beautiful thing. I also like to get to know the parents. And, of course, I adore my colleagues. It’s really a special place to work because of the commitment and passion of the staff and parents.

LD: I know you live right around the corner, so I must know what your favorite paleta flavor is! MBS: Yum, Paletas! I think I’ve tried them all. Grapefruit is my favorite with Green Tea a close second.

3201 Hillsboro Pike • Nashville, TN 37215 • 615.354.0270 • www.LindenWaldorf.org

~Laura Duke, LWS Parent / enrollment Coordinator / music Teacher.

Special thanks to Linden students for the art and the creativity that inspires us.Printed on 100% recycled paper by rJ Young.