Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education

Great Lakes Waldorf Institute’s Early Childhood Teacher Education program provides a philosophical, artistic, and practical foundation for Waldorf early childhood teaching. This three-year, part-time program is offered in a rotating cycle, allowing participants to enter in any year, and includes summer, fall, and spring coursework, along with guided independent study.

The program is led by Helena Renz, M.Ed., and culminates in an Early Childhood Waldorf Teaching Certificate recognized by AWSNA, WECAN, and IASWECE.

A distinctive feature of GLWI’s summer format is one week of virtual study followed by ten days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the in-person portion held on the beautiful campus of Mount Mary University. 

The curriculum includes child development, Waldorf education, human development, early childhood program design, contemplative work, artistic activities for the classroom and educator, and the professional and social aspects of Waldorf education. GLWI’s program also offers a rich immersion in the arts, including eurythmy, singing, speech, and visual arts. 

Participants may complete the certificate on its own or choose the optional track that combines the certificate with Mount Mary University’s Master of Arts in Education. In the master’s degree track, participants complete all certificate coursework, fulfill graduate-level requirements within those courses, and take three additional Mount Mary University courses.

Applications are now being accepted for June 2026 entry. A completion track is also available for qualified applicants. The application deadline is June 1, and the application process can be found here.

Financial aid is available, including general scholarships and diversity fund scholarships. 

On-campus dorm lodging is available at a reasonable cost. 

Graduates are welcome to return, at no cost, to audit any future early childhood teacher education courses.

For more information, visit our website or contact us at admin@greatlakeswaldorf.org or 414-299-3820.