The Sophia Institute was founded with the vision and mission to work with small groups and mentor individual students who are interested in becoming Waldorf/Steiner teachers. In addition students joined the courses offered who wanted to deepen their knowledge concerning Anthroposophy and Waldorf/Steiner Education or for professional development.
Since its founding in 1998, the Sophia Institute went through three clearly identifiable phases. During the first phase the work of the institute was with individual students and small groups enrolled in Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and the Arts. Courses were offered in Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA and drew students from the Midwest during a period of time when several small new Waldorf initiatives were active in starting or entering a phase of solidifying their programs in the region. The second phase of the Sophia Institute included providing Foundation Studies to individuals around the world via online courses and individual mentoring. In addition local facilitated groups offering Foundation Studies with Sophia Institute trained and supported group leaders were set up in several locations in the USA and Canada. During the third phase of the Sophia Institute’s existence additional courses were designed and offered. These additional courses include a wide variety of online Waldorf/Steiner teacher training courses, art courses, and the Waldorf Certificate Program, a program consisting of six semesters, which includes the Foundation Studies. The Sophia Institute Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate Program concerns itself with the basic and underlying principles of Waldorf/Steiner Education, curriculum suggestions and practice, and Waldorf teaching methods. In addition related subjects such as Waldorf administration, artistic courses, internships, and research projects are included in the program. The knowledge and understanding of the basic principles, based on the insights and teachings of Anthroposophy, is essential for anyone embarking on or deepening their study - and ultimately their practical application - of this teaching method. To illustrate: For instance a student wishing to become a Waldorf/Steiner teacher or seeking professional development opportunities, could complete the Foundation Studies and/or the complete Waldorf Certificate Program online with a Sophia Institute mentor/advisor - all from home. Or a student might decide to complete some courses online, then attend - for instance - workshops concerning biography/life phases and art courses with a qualified art teacher/instructor at an art retreat, at a local Waldorf school or other institute, and in addition the student might want to create one or more independent studies projects … and receive credit for these courses as part of the Waldorf Certificate Program. The two tracks (Waldorf/Steiner high school/elementary school and Waldorf/Steiner early childhood education) offered for the Waldorf Certificate Program are the same for the first three semesters, then differ. A student could select to complete one track and then add just the courses to be completed for the second track, and receive both certifications.
Many people from around the world contact the Sophia Institute to enroll in our courses but are unable to pay full tuition. Partial and full scholarship funding is needed to help those that would benefit from studying at the Sophia Institute but are unable to pay full or in some cases even partial tuition. Thanks to donations to the Sophia Institute’s scholarship fund the institute has been able to offer tuition assistance to students who qualify for such assistance. Donations to our scholarship fund benefit Sophia Institute students in the form of tuition assistance and full or partial scholarships. Students applying for tuition assistance and scholarships need to qualify for financial assistance. Application for financial assistance are subject to review and approval by the Sophia Institute Scholarship/Tuition Assistance Committee.
Today the Sophia Institute Sophia Institute offers a variety of programs, courses, publications and other resources to anyone interested in Anthroposophy and Waldorf/Steiner Education. Currently there are students from all over the world enrolled in the Sophia Institute online courses. Local facilitated groups offer the Foundation Studies Program in several locations in the USA and Canada. Sophia Institute publications are available worldwide. The Sophia Institute newsletter and blog provide insights and information concerning the work of Anthroposophical initiatives, Waldorf/Steiner schools, the Camphill Movement, and related endeavors.
www.sophiainstitute.us
Since its founding in 1998, the Sophia Institute went through three clearly identifiable phases. During the first phase the work of the institute was with individual students and small groups enrolled in Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and the Arts. Courses were offered in Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA and drew students from the Midwest during a period of time when several small new Waldorf initiatives were active in starting or entering a phase of solidifying their programs in the region. The second phase of the Sophia Institute included providing Foundation Studies to individuals around the world via online courses and individual mentoring. In addition local facilitated groups offering Foundation Studies with Sophia Institute trained and supported group leaders were set up in several locations in the USA and Canada. During the third phase of the Sophia Institute’s existence additional courses were designed and offered. These additional courses include a wide variety of online Waldorf/Steiner teacher training courses, art courses, and the Waldorf Certificate Program, a program consisting of six semesters, which includes the Foundation Studies. The Sophia Institute Waldorf Teacher Training Certificate Program concerns itself with the basic and underlying principles of Waldorf/Steiner Education, curriculum suggestions and practice, and Waldorf teaching methods. In addition related subjects such as Waldorf administration, artistic courses, internships, and research projects are included in the program. The knowledge and understanding of the basic principles, based on the insights and teachings of Anthroposophy, is essential for anyone embarking on or deepening their study - and ultimately their practical application - of this teaching method. To illustrate: For instance a student wishing to become a Waldorf/Steiner teacher or seeking professional development opportunities, could complete the Foundation Studies and/or the complete Waldorf Certificate Program online with a Sophia Institute mentor/advisor - all from home. Or a student might decide to complete some courses online, then attend - for instance - workshops concerning biography/life phases and art courses with a qualified art teacher/instructor at an art retreat, at a local Waldorf school or other institute, and in addition the student might want to create one or more independent studies projects … and receive credit for these courses as part of the Waldorf Certificate Program. The two tracks (Waldorf/Steiner high school/elementary school and Waldorf/Steiner early childhood education) offered for the Waldorf Certificate Program are the same for the first three semesters, then differ. A student could select to complete one track and then add just the courses to be completed for the second track, and receive both certifications.
Many people from around the world contact the Sophia Institute to enroll in our courses but are unable to pay full tuition. Partial and full scholarship funding is needed to help those that would benefit from studying at the Sophia Institute but are unable to pay full or in some cases even partial tuition. Thanks to donations to the Sophia Institute’s scholarship fund the institute has been able to offer tuition assistance to students who qualify for such assistance. Donations to our scholarship fund benefit Sophia Institute students in the form of tuition assistance and full or partial scholarships. Students applying for tuition assistance and scholarships need to qualify for financial assistance. Application for financial assistance are subject to review and approval by the Sophia Institute Scholarship/Tuition Assistance Committee.
Today the Sophia Institute Sophia Institute offers a variety of programs, courses, publications and other resources to anyone interested in Anthroposophy and Waldorf/Steiner Education. Currently there are students from all over the world enrolled in the Sophia Institute online courses. Local facilitated groups offer the Foundation Studies Program in several locations in the USA and Canada. Sophia Institute publications are available worldwide. The Sophia Institute newsletter and blog provide insights and information concerning the work of Anthroposophical initiatives, Waldorf/Steiner schools, the Camphill Movement, and related endeavors.
www.sophiainstitute.us
