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"In the 1.5 years that I have had the pleasure of studying through the Foundations Studies Program given by the Sophia Institute, I have been continuously satisfied and challenged by the lessons and studies. I do not think that I would have found a better course of study to approach the writings of Rudolf Steiner had I searched elsewhere. In fact, when compared to other course expectations that have been shared with me from other Waldorf teacher programs, I have found that the Sophia Institute is far more comprehensive and includes more projects and varied parallel studies along with the course materials. In this way, the experience is more comprehensive and the potential for understanding the material is far superior to other groups and coursework that I have seen. I could not be happier and I have learned SO MUCH from the taking of these courses. The feedback from the mentor is always timely and meaningful! ... The on-line lessons worked out well for me and were easy to fit into weekends and late-nights and vacation-times. I loved the lessons and the way they were designed, each building upon the prior ones , resulting in a strong foundation of understanding of Steiner/Waldorf philosophy. I just took a class on Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path and was entirely amazed at how many individuals in the class (who were Waldorf teachers) did NOT have an understanding of the foundations material!! I suggested to many to check out the Sophia Institute." - Susan Becker, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, New Hampshire, USA
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"I thoroughly enjoyed taking this course online and found it was a great way to immerse myself in the material at my own pace. I think it was an ideal learning environment for me, being able to complete assignments on my own time. I also feel that I learned a great deal about many subjects I did not expect to. I appreciated my mentor … and thought he provided very productive and helpful comments, besides being very knowledgeable and he always supplemented lessons with extra thoughts and further explanations ... My mentor was incredibly encouraging and positive and really made me want to keep going and keep working harder." - Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program
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"I am benefitting greatly from this subject matter and grateful for the way this course is has been organized to provide deep introspection into my life journey. Thank you." - Student, online Sophia Institute Waldorf Certificate Program (Early Childhood)
"A wonderfully in-depth course! Challenging and rewarding! I am very pleased with my experience with the course. I feel that I have learned a great deal. My mentor was clear and informative and provided feedback and encouragement in a constructive and positive manner. Compared to other courses ... the workload was at times heavy. I feel that for this reason, the course was more in-depth than others and I am very grateful for the level of education provided here. I was able to take the time needed to complete the assignments and not have to worry about travel and time away from home and family. ... In my situation, I would not have been able to leave my family and farm for weeks at a time to study out of town ... I am so greatful for the flexibility and intensity of this course and do recommend it to others" - Laura Richards-Anderson, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, Ontario, Canada
"The courses were well structured and very comprehensive. I learned a lot doing the assignments and from the feedback given. ... (my mentor) always gave me valuable feedback and comments about my assignments. He was prompt ... (and) always answered my questions or commented on my work in a way that enlighten my learning experience." - Anita Rodriguez-McCaffrey, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Waldorf Certificate Program, Florida, USA
"Thank you! I am so grateful that this online opportunity existed to make obtaining this training possible for me. ... It is flexible, (and) more in-depth than the 9 or 10 weeks that many programs offer. ... I will miss my study time, it has been so enriching both personally and professionally." - Julie Geoghegan, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Waldorf Certificate Program, Vermont, USA
"The courses are very thorough and deep. The lessons are varied and creative, which allows for deep learning and engagement. I found the courses to be an excellent foundation for understanding anthroposophy, human beings and life, as well as the depth of Waldorf Education and how it stems from anthroposophy. My mentor was very knowledgeable, positive and reflective, sharing feedback, insights and suggestions with me for further study or understanding. ... I found the subject matter to be deeply interesting and confirming what I have felt I have known throughout my life as well as introducing me to new ideas that brought so much of life to light. I have felt a sense of relief and know how to find it again. ... The studies brought so much depth and beauty and positivity to me that I loved the engagement and process. I loved the challenge of the assignments and appreciated the creative assignments that had me move past my comfort zone to do artistic work that inevitably brought much joy and peace." - Michele McCormick, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, British Columbia, Canada
"The courses are very thorough and deep. The lessons are varied and creative, which allows for deep learning and engagement. I found the courses to be an excellent foundation for understanding anthroposophy, human beings and life, as well as the depth of Waldorf Education and how it stems from anthroposophy. My mentor was very knowledgeable, positive and reflective, sharing feedback, insights and suggestions with me for further study or understanding. ... I found the subject matter to be deeply interesting and confirming what I have felt I have known throughout my life as well as introducing me to new ideas that brought so much of life to light. I have felt a sense of relief and know how to find it again. ... The studies brought so much depth and beauty and positivity to me that I loved the engagement and process. I loved the challenge of the assignments and appreciated the creative assignments that had me move past my comfort zone to do artistic work that inevitably brought much joy and peace." - Michele McCormick, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, British Columbia, Canada
"The foundation series is a portal into a whole new world. It's a challenging journey that has provided clarity and insight into my life, the universe and everything. Lesson by lesson, each required effort and brought small and large breakthroughs. ... (my mentor) was helpful, giving feedback and encouragement. The feedback showed that my assignments were read and provided thoughtful guidance for continuing to explore, and set a tone for the studies that was supportive and encouraged best efforts. The concepts required stretching my mind and patiently working the lessons. Then at the end I would feel a sense of wonder and gratitude." - Sherri Osborn, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, California, USA
"I'm just finishing up the first semester. (The course is) excellent! The content is thorough, and even though the course is online, I really felt like I was expected to dig into the material in a meaningful way. ... I absolutely love the ability to move at my own pace and work as quickly or slowly as I need to. As a busy mom of four, with a teaching job, this course is manageable, affordable and professionally perfect for my needs." - Student, online Sophia Institute Waldorf Certificate Program, California, USA
" ... we finished the course (and) it seems like quite an achievement. ... I just want to add that the work we have done was supported completely by your program and your help. It has enhanced and strengthened our school community (faculty, administration and parents) enormously. We now know the importance of this work and want to continue next year in some way which is wonderful. I don't know if it is a coincidence but our school enrollment has risen by 40% since we started this Anthroposophical work together. Interesting - isn't it? Thank you so much for everything ..." - Christine Cook, Group leader, Sophia Institute Local Facilitated Group Courses, Whistler Waldorf School, British Columbia, Canada
"I always so enjoy reading your insights and thoughts! This class and your comments are just what my soul needs right now." - Marcee Murray King, M.A., Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, Wisconsin, USA
"Thank you for your time, and the creation of the Sophia Institute, I think it has enormous potential for furthering Steiner's work, and I think also that the lessons were very well written, clear, and quite useful for studying and better understanding his work and this path. I would certainly recommend this to others ... " - Jennivieve Harper, Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, Colorado, USA
"The Foundations Courses were the hardest but most rewarding course I have taken in all my educational studies ... and I have a Masters in Reading. I was challenged to think and act personally and educationally more than I have ever been. Rudolf Steiner's writing is difficult to read. The artistic responses were a challenge. However, I feel I have grown personally and as a Waldorf educator. I greatly appreciate being able to learn at my own speed versus a set schedule of assignements. Much of this information takes time to absorb, ponder, and then be able to summarize. (My mentor) was wonderful. He allowed me take in and understand what I was able. He expanded on what I understood but did not ever go 'over my head'. The feedback he gave enhanced my level of understanding of what I read. ... I appreciated being able to work at my speed. I have talked to other educators who have take other Foundational Studies courses. They did not do as much work as I did, but I feel my level of understanding is deeper because of the work I have done. Now I have a deeper understanding of Waldorf curriculum and why we teach the 'head, heart, hands'." - Susan Halseth, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, Alaska, USA
"I am so thankful for this online program. I have secured a job within a Waldorf School and am so happy to have this foundation. I have learned so much more than expected. Opened a totally new world for me and I hope to share with others. Thank you." - Jamie Porter, Student, online Sophia Institute Waldorf Certificate Program, California, USA
"I have really enjoyed this experience with you as I have grown so much with the course's support. This opportunity came exactly when I needed it and it served me so well as to enable me to get my dream job. Thank you so much for your supporting role throughout ... the assignments were very thought provoking and only further inspired my response to Steiner's writings ... I have recommended the course to many who are interested in becoming Waldorf teachers or who are just interested in learning more about Steiner. Thank you again for a life changing experience." - Kate May-Price, Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, California, USA
"I completed Foundation Studies Semester 1 & 2. The courses were very creatively set out and presented. I was able to penetrate 2 important books in sufficient detail as well as discover more of my own abilities to grow. I was surprised by results that I produced … My mentor was very experienced … I asked some questions in between assignments - that were responded to without being authoritarian … if I didn't understand something I was able to ask more detail and was always responded to … I especially liked how some reading material prepared the way for the next assignments and how lessons were linked carefully to the following ones … " Theodora Kirigin, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, South Africa
"A little research into the 7 year phases and biography work (with no previous knowledge), as well as days of forest-walking with the intention to notice patterns, cycles, and formative experiences in my life, has energized me substantially and inspired a feeling of standing in my life (not just hovering above it in some amorphous way), standing in it with a new feeling of agency, direction, and appreciation for the subjective. So, I say ʻthank youʼ (to the workers in this field, to Anthroposophy ... ) for the opportunity to organize my life in way I have never done conceptually, to witness more objectively the intelligence behind all subjective movements, and to approach my life as a work of art to be appreciated, understood, and shaped with all the faculties of blooming consciousness … Thank you!" - Student, online Sophia Institute Biography Course
"The Awakening Arts Correspondence Course is wonderful because I can go at my own pace. It challenges my artistic knowing- while I am given a direction, I must rely on my own inner guidance to take me through the exercises. It is a perfect entry into understanding the artistic impulse. It comes from within. Carla views your work, always with careful commentary, honoring your journey and transformational process. I see this course as part meditation, part practice and as a valuable study journey into the world of light, darkness and color. It is demanding in the sense that you must rely on your own truth, you may be seeing honestly for the first time the natural world as it really is. With your own courage and commitment to it, the Awakening Arts course is a great opportunity to trust the artistic process and have a gentle, clear guide mapping the course!" - Student, Awakening Arts Courses
"The course I took through the Sophia Institute was very straight forward and easy to navigate. After completing each assignment I was impressed with the quick turnaround and feedback that was both helpful and insightful. Due to my busy lifestyle and family responsibilities, working from home provided me with the flexibility and convenience I needed to complete the foundation year in a timely fashion. I would recommend Sophia Institute to anyone who wants to take a first rate course in Waldorf Education." - Mechelle Lindsey, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Group Leader/Mentor Program, California, USA
"Dear Friends, You work looks very fine, and I am sure it is inspiring to those who enroll. It is wonderful to have this kind of opportunity to learn be so accessible. My best wishes to you in your endeavors! Warmly ... " - Faculty member, Association for a Healing Education
"Thank you for the course and mentoring ... Yes, I really enjoyed the course and the creative way it's designed with the summaries, creative exercises and applications - so the material has to be engaged. It has helped with my practices and their integration and is a much needed mapping, and opening of new spaces ... " - Sheila Pick, Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, Massachusetts, USA
"I have very much enjoyed this course and wish that I could spend more time working on it. The content has been very enlightening and it's been so helpful to have some flexibility with it. Thanks for providing this opportunity ... " - Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program
"Thank you so much. The class has definitely been an experience of learning and expanding in many ways. Your feedback has been really helpful and your flexibility allowed me to accomplish completing it and satisfy a few equivalency credits with my teacher training program ... I will be taking two more art classes to satisfy those equivalency credits. I truly look forward to those classes and am very grateful for the Sophia Institute program and your support along the way. With gratitude ... " - Daniela Sales, Student, online Sophia Institute Art Courses Program, Missouri, USA
"The Foundations Courses were the hardest but most rewarding course I have taken in all my educational studies ... and I have a Masters in Reading. I was challenged to think and act personally and educationally more than I have ever been. Rudolf Steiner's writing is difficult to read. The artistic responses were a challenge. However, I feel I have grown personally and as a Waldorf educator. I greatly appreciate being able to learn at my own speed versus a set schedule of assignements. Much of this information takes time to absorb, ponder, and then be able to summarize. (My mentor) was wonderful. He allowed me take in and understand what I was able. He expanded on what I understood but did not ever go 'over my head'. The feedback he gave enhanced my level of understanding of what I read. ... I appreciated being able to work at my speed. I have talked to other educators who have take other Foundational Studies courses. They did not do as much work as I did, but I feel my level of understanding is deeper because of the work I have done. Now I have a deeper understanding of Waldorf curriculum and why we teach the 'head, heart, hands'." - Susan Halseth, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, Alaska, USA
"I am so thankful for this online program. I have secured a job within a Waldorf School and am so happy to have this foundation. I have learned so much more than expected. Opened a totally new world for me and I hope to share with others. Thank you." - Jamie Porter, Student, online Sophia Institute Waldorf Certificate Program, California, USA
"I have really enjoyed this experience with you as I have grown so much with the course's support. This opportunity came exactly when I needed it and it served me so well as to enable me to get my dream job. Thank you so much for your supporting role throughout ... the assignments were very thought provoking and only further inspired my response to Steiner's writings ... I have recommended the course to many who are interested in becoming Waldorf teachers or who are just interested in learning more about Steiner. Thank you again for a life changing experience." - Kate May-Price, Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, California, USA
"I completed Foundation Studies Semester 1 & 2. The courses were very creatively set out and presented. I was able to penetrate 2 important books in sufficient detail as well as discover more of my own abilities to grow. I was surprised by results that I produced … My mentor was very experienced … I asked some questions in between assignments - that were responded to without being authoritarian … if I didn't understand something I was able to ask more detail and was always responded to … I especially liked how some reading material prepared the way for the next assignments and how lessons were linked carefully to the following ones … " Theodora Kirigin, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, South Africa
"A little research into the 7 year phases and biography work (with no previous knowledge), as well as days of forest-walking with the intention to notice patterns, cycles, and formative experiences in my life, has energized me substantially and inspired a feeling of standing in my life (not just hovering above it in some amorphous way), standing in it with a new feeling of agency, direction, and appreciation for the subjective. So, I say ʻthank youʼ (to the workers in this field, to Anthroposophy ... ) for the opportunity to organize my life in way I have never done conceptually, to witness more objectively the intelligence behind all subjective movements, and to approach my life as a work of art to be appreciated, understood, and shaped with all the faculties of blooming consciousness … Thank you!" - Student, online Sophia Institute Biography Course
"The Awakening Arts Correspondence Course is wonderful because I can go at my own pace. It challenges my artistic knowing- while I am given a direction, I must rely on my own inner guidance to take me through the exercises. It is a perfect entry into understanding the artistic impulse. It comes from within. Carla views your work, always with careful commentary, honoring your journey and transformational process. I see this course as part meditation, part practice and as a valuable study journey into the world of light, darkness and color. It is demanding in the sense that you must rely on your own truth, you may be seeing honestly for the first time the natural world as it really is. With your own courage and commitment to it, the Awakening Arts course is a great opportunity to trust the artistic process and have a gentle, clear guide mapping the course!" - Student, Awakening Arts Courses
"The course I took through the Sophia Institute was very straight forward and easy to navigate. After completing each assignment I was impressed with the quick turnaround and feedback that was both helpful and insightful. Due to my busy lifestyle and family responsibilities, working from home provided me with the flexibility and convenience I needed to complete the foundation year in a timely fashion. I would recommend Sophia Institute to anyone who wants to take a first rate course in Waldorf Education." - Mechelle Lindsey, Graduate, online Sophia Institute Group Leader/Mentor Program, California, USA
"Dear Friends, You work looks very fine, and I am sure it is inspiring to those who enroll. It is wonderful to have this kind of opportunity to learn be so accessible. My best wishes to you in your endeavors! Warmly ... " - Faculty member, Association for a Healing Education
"Thank you for the course and mentoring ... Yes, I really enjoyed the course and the creative way it's designed with the summaries, creative exercises and applications - so the material has to be engaged. It has helped with my practices and their integration and is a much needed mapping, and opening of new spaces ... " - Sheila Pick, Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program, Massachusetts, USA
"I have very much enjoyed this course and wish that I could spend more time working on it. The content has been very enlightening and it's been so helpful to have some flexibility with it. Thanks for providing this opportunity ... " - Student, online Sophia Institute Foundation Studies Program
"Thank you so much. The class has definitely been an experience of learning and expanding in many ways. Your feedback has been really helpful and your flexibility allowed me to accomplish completing it and satisfy a few equivalency credits with my teacher training program ... I will be taking two more art classes to satisfy those equivalency credits. I truly look forward to those classes and am very grateful for the Sophia Institute program and your support along the way. With gratitude ... " - Daniela Sales, Student, online Sophia Institute Art Courses Program, Missouri, USA