why I give - Karen Anderson

It has been about 20 years since I brought my daughter Maya to a parent-child class at CWS. I didn’t know much about Waldorf education then. A friend had told me that she thought it would be a good fit for our family after I had complained to her about yet another toddler gym class I had taken Maya to, run by saccharine voiced instructors who played blasting “upbeat” music. As a first-time parent, I was searching for a place for her to find children to play with and for me to make some new parent friends.

I didn’t know what to expect when we arrived the first day for the CWS parent-child class, but it instantly felt different than the other toddler activities we had attended. The classroom was inviting and beautiful. I delighted in the wooden toys, jewel-like silk scarves for play, the scent of herbal tea brewing and the honey colored lighting. The teacher greeted us with a warm smile.

The class began with parents and children participating in circle time together with a sweet verse led by the teacher. Then the children played as the adults chatted. I don’t remember exactly what we talked about that first class, but throughout the year we discussed topics new parents find interesting such as bedtime routines, storybooks, and maintaining rhythm in home life.  Later, we gathered at a wooden table on child-sized chairs for a healthy organic snack. We began the meal with a song in which we thanked the sun and earth for bringing us the food. The food was served on “real” plates accompanied by tea in ceramic mugs.

And so this class became the routine we repeated weekly. Sometimes other activities such as nature-based art projects —our favorite was creating the autumn leaves and wax paper window panes—were sprinkled in.

The class served as my introduction to a Waldorf curriculum and the people became our community. It had many of the elements I would come to recognize throughout Maya’s subsequent years at Waldorf: a reverence for nature, a value of community, an integration of art in learning, self-directed play and exploration, and reliance on a purposeful rhythm to the day. And at the heart of it was the teacher’s genuine interest in getting to know and nurture each student.

Maya stayed at CWS beyond parent-child and each year unfolded with new age appropriate lessons, challenges and activities but always with a purpose and reliance on self, in a beautiful environment with teachers who cared deeply.

Now as CWS Board Chair, I have the privilege of being at the school during the school day even though my daughter has graduated. Typically, I rush into the campus, hurrying to meetings with a myriad of issues swirling in my mind, but often budget takes precedence. It‘s not a warm and fuzzy topic, but one vital to the overall health of the school.

From the moment I open the Foster gate, I am reminded of why the school is so endearing. I see children playing in the garden. I’m greeted with a warm hello from Nick at the reception desk. As I walk through the halls, I hear students singing, laughing, and talking. Sunshine pours through the windows and students’ watercolors line the walls. I catch a glimpse of a teacher deep in conversation with their class standing in front of an exquisitely drawn chalkboard. Or another teacher bending to help a young student on with a boot in preparation for outdoor play time. The notes from a strings class float through the air.

No matter how I feel when I walk in the school, I leave reminded of the talents of everyone who works there and the beautiful world they create for students each day.

And I know that a student walking through the door will have a similarly inspiring experience. Their day will be filled with thoughtful exploration of academic subjects and they will leave feeling challenged but uplifted. And that experience is why I give to the community fund.

All private schools rely on the funds from donors to fill in the gap between tuition revenue and the cost of running the school. When everyone gives to the best of their ability, it ensures that Waldorf education and its many benefits are here for the students currently enrolled and those who will attend in the future. The community fund helps to keep the lights on in the school but also in the hearts of the students.

Please give to the Community Fund.

Karen Anderson
She/her
CWS Board Chair