Synopsis "The History of Waldorf Education Worldwide: 1919-1945 (in English)"
The story of Waldorf Education is a compelling tale of sacrifice and vision, given by many the to establish and develop Waldorf education throughout the world. From its inception in Stuttgart, Germany, and followed by inspiring and dedicated teachers who started schools in countries all over Europe, the UK, Canada, Mexico and the United States, following the indications of Rudolf Steiner and the vision of Emil Molt. Nana Goebel describes in steady, engaging language, the remarkable events that built the Waldorf school movement to its place today, with over 1,100 schools on every continent. This book is an important book to read for anyone who ever was engaged in Waldorf education, or for anyone who is interested in educational philosophy.Nana Goebel is a Waldorf graduate herself and helped in founding the Freunde der Erziehungskunst, an organization established to support Waldorf education globally. Through the Freunde, the author has devoted her life to supporting the development of Waldorf schools around the world, giving all peoples on earth hope for an authentically new approach to teaching children. To honor the Waldorf100 celebration of Waldorf education, the international Forum for Waldorf/Steiner Education, asked Nana to record the history of these first 100 years. It constitutes a daunting task for anyone, however, Nana Goebel has done with accuracy, intensity, and style! It has been gracefully translated from the German by Jan Kees Saltet.The people portrayed in Goebel’s re-telling of the stories of so many schools is unbelievably inspiring. The vision shown in the ideas behind the curriculum the early teachers developed, with a clear view of the developing child informing every aspect of that curriculum, and the selfless work against many odds — particularly during the phase of Natoinal Socialism that eventually shut down the Waldorf schools in Germany — gives hope for the future and support for all innovation.Waldorf Publications is proud to be the published in America of the book in English. Our contribution to Waldorf100 couldn’t be a finer one!
