For children
A Joyful Noise
Come together with other mothers and learn to co-regulate through song.
The singing circles
MENTORSHIP For Teachers, assistant teachers, in-transition teachers and homeschooling parents
Mentoring for early childhood educators
Support from a seasoned, Waldorf trained mentor
I am someone who deeply values having a mentor or guide along the journey. I’ve been fortunate to have them in many areas of my life and teaching was certainly one of the places where that support made all the difference.
For me, becoming a Waldorf teacher felt big. There was so much to learn, so much to hold, and so many moments when I wondered, Am I doing this right? Having someone beside me who had decades of experience who I could call with the big questions, the little questions, and the what on earth do I do with this? kind of questions— was just what I needed.
This is just the kind of mentor I intend to be for you.
Why this work
What a mentor is actually for
What is the most important thing for early childhood teachers to remember?
Children are changing. The world is changing. But what stays essential for this developmental stage (zero to seven, in my training) is the necessity for adults to be really grounded and centered.
We know that young children learn through imitation. The adults in front of them are setting the image: how the adults are holding the space, how they are curating the space.
Why does a teacher need a mentor?
It can feel really overwhelming as the teacher. How do I do this? What does it even mean to be worthy of imitation?
When I first started teaching it was: I have to get the curriculum down, I have to get the names of the kids down, I have to get my rhythm, I have to get all this practical work. Which is important. But the essentials are what happens when you are grounded, and in an embodied state — there are ingredients like joy and love and openness and connection that are the essential ingredients for being in front of children. When those things are alive, everything else flows. The children are drawn to you, and inspiration comes.
What does preparing for class actually look like?
Yes, there is preparation. But the preparation is: make sure that you are filled up yourself. Enough sleep. Enough good food. Enough time in nature.
It is not about endless songs, endless curriculum, endless activities. Because it is a play-based program, there are a good three hours in a five-hour day of free, uninterrupted play. Being able to be present in that, and not what happens next is the real work.
There are tools that get you there which I have collected over my decades of teaching. That is part of the mentoring I provide: what tools do you specifically need to find and maintain that presence of mind?
“Worthy of imitation, to me, is not just how you speak or how you move. It starts with the state nervous system is. From a regulated nervous system, we can find and maintain presence of mind, our authentic embodied state from which to lead our class.”
What you can expect
When we work together, you can expect support in three areas
For Your Classroom
Curriculum, rhythm, child development, classroom dynamics, practical tools, fresh ideas and a trusted person to help you untangle those tricky classroom moments.
For You
Because you are one of the most important parts of your classroom. We’ll explore practices for inner work, reflection, observation, and staying grounded while doing the beautiful (and sometimes very demanding) work of teaching.
And for the Joy of It All
More singing. More creativity. More confidence. More room to breathe, wonder, laugh, and remember why you chose this work in the first place.
Who this mentorship program is for
01
New teachers
You are fresh out of the training, or just beginning a training in a play-based learning program.
02
Teachers in transition
For teachers transitioning to different programs or age groups.
03
Homeschooling parents
Whether you are starting a home program or need help along the home-schooling journey, I am here to support.
04
Assistant Teachers
The relationship between the assistant and the lead teacher is essential. I am here to help you navigate the journey.
Most schools ask you to assist for at least a year before you are hired as a teacher. I offer specific mentorship for assistant teachers too.
How the teacher mentorship program works
Mentorship - A Year At A Glance
Eleven months of calls, two classroom visits, and supportive resources.
01
Book a curiosity call
First we have a fifteen-minute curiosity call, to see whether we are a good fit. In a mentor–mentee relationship it matters that there is trust and connection and support between the two of us.
02
Define your goals
Then: what are your goals as a teacher? Are they your own goals, or goals your employer has set for you? We lay the foundation for our time together by defining your goals.
03
Monthly Calls
We will check in monthly so I can support you throughout the year and we can stay focused on your goals.
04
Two classroom visits
We plan two visits to your classroom across the year, each with a two-hour sit afterwards to talk through what you need.
05
Something to take with you
At the end of every call, I provide resources to support what we talked about. This can be a handout for your seasonal circle, an article on rhythm, on sleep, on parent work. Every time a teacher brings me a question that feels like a huge problem, remember: I've got you. This is what the mentorship program is for. I always have a resource to assist with anything we are working on or talking about.
Inside a session
What does a monthly check in call look like for teacher mentorship?
Every call opens with the two of us connecting. This could be breath work, or making something together. Singing, or drawing, or a piece of handwork. Ten minutes to get in our heart center and out of our to-dos and whatever else might be swirling in the mind.
We walk through what ways are you supporting yourself? Then we go into the work: curriculum, creating a rhythm. There is also time in every call for your questions and sharing your current classroom experience. At the end and following up, I offer resources to support you in and out of the classroom.
Across a year we cover how to create a rhythm, how to foster the inner work, how to build your seasonal rhythm.
Where does teacher mentorship happen?
Some of it is in person and some of it is on Zoom. Calls run on Zoom or by phone, so you can be anywhere. For classroom visits I travel anywhere in the United States, and to Canada or Europe.
The offering
Let's work together
One to one
Mentoring, across a year
The full relationship: your goals, your classroom, your rhythm.
- Eleven calls a year — No call in July
- Two classroom visits, each with a two-hour sit afterwards
- A resource after every call
- Calls by Zoom or phone, wherever you are
- Start any month — not tied to the school year
$228/month
for 12 months
Reimbursement for travel to classroom visits will be billed separately.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone
Sometimes we simply need someone a little farther down the path to walk beside us for a while.
Start with a 15 minute curiosity call.
Book a curiosity call
More of the work
Everything grows from the same roots
Play Garden and song circles and song circles
For Families
Play-based, nature-based programs for young children and the adults around them.
join the play garden
For Women
For Women
Activities and gatherings for women to nurture their creativity and nourish their heart.
Explore offerings For women
Kristin’s list
Stay in touch with the studio
Studio offerings, supportive resources from Kristin, and news about her book on parenting that is coming soon.
