Teacher Training in Curative Education

Abstract

In this article, we deal with the training of teachers or curative educators who serve in schools and other therapeutic settings that are conducted in conformity with the philosophical and educational principles of Rudolf Steiner. His philosophy is called anthroposophy, and his educational principles and methods are named Waldorf. We first depict the anthroposophic ideas and the general curriculum in the Waldorf schools and then describe Camphill, the schools and therapeutic communities for children with special needs. We outline the programs for the teachers or curative educators attached to these schools and describe the major courses. We conclude with some observations about the general influence of the Waldorf approach in different countries and the relevance of anthroposophy in contemporary American special education.