How I became my children’s ‘classmate’

As I was jogging one morning after bringing my children to school, it occurred to me that I was spending as much time as they did in their school. I smiled at the thought that you could even say now that my own children are my "classmates!"

And I wondered how a grizzled corporate veteran like me ever ended up like this. I had always assumed that upon our return to the Philippines after living abroad for many years, my kids would go to one of the big traditional schools as I and my wife did. I never imagined that we would decide to send them to the Manila Waldorf School (MWSI), and that I would become so involved in their education as to now serve as chairman of the school’s board of trustees and, if I may add, one of its chief "gofers."

MWSI is part of one of the largest and fastest growing non-traditional educational movements worldwide – or what many refer to as the Waldorf Movement. Its pedagogy is based on the teachings of Austrian philosopher Dr. Rudolf Steiner on the development stages of childhood and adolescence. From the first school founded in Stuttgart, Germany 87 years ago, there are now over 800 Waldorf schools and 1,000 Waldorf kindergartens in 50 countries on six continents. MWSI is recognized by the international Waldorf community as an authentic Waldorf or Steiner school.

But it’s not the international pedigree that impresses me about Waldorf. It’s the unique educational philosophy. In a world where children’s education is treated more and more like a mere commodity, here is an approach that is dedicated to creating a genuine love of learning within each child. The aim of Waldorf schooling is to educate the whole child, "head, heart, and hands." The curriculum is as broad as time will allow, and balances academics subjects with artistic and practical activities. By freely using arts and activities in the service of teaching academics, an internal motivation to learn is developed in the students, minimizing the need for competitive testing and grading.

It’s the students. They seem genuinely interested, not bored. They love, not hate, going to school every day. They think, not just parrot. They find learning fun, not a chore. They generally do not suffer from stress or early burnout that is so common among students of traditional schools. And yet, Waldorf students all over the world have been accepted in and graduated from a broad spectrum of colleges and universities including Stanford, UC Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, and all of the top universities in the US. Waldorf graduates reflect a wide diversity of professions and occupations, including medicine, law, science, engineering, computer technology, the arts, social science, government, and teaching at all levels. American Express CEO since 2001 Kenneth Chenault says, "Waldorf taught me how to think for myself, to be accountable for my actions, to be a good listener, and to be sensitive to the needs of others. It also helped me focus on the underlying importance of beliefs and values that are the foundation of good leadership."

It’s the teachers. The school is not their "work" but their passion, and they bring in their "whole being" to class every day. They treat each student as individuals and even adjust the curriculum based on the unique character of their classes. (This is also one reason why Waldorf schools are kept small and with low student-teacher ratios. Oh, and if you are wondering if this also results in the school charging a fortune for tuition fees like some of those other fancy non-traditional schools, you will be pleasantly surprised!)

It’s the parents. Majority are intensely involved not only in their child’s growth but actively help in growing the school and, in the process, spurring their own personal growth, too.

Still, I must admit, it was not easy to change my conventional mindset. But whatever doubts that I still had vanished when I saw my children’s faces as they talked about their school. They simply loved it.

So that’s what brought me to Waldorf. And with each passing day, I find my old corporate world fading more and more. And if old colleagues ask me, "What are you doing now?" I guess I’ll just say, "I’m back in school!"

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MWSI takes in about 25-50 new kindergarten students each year. Open slots in the grade school and high school are very limited. MWSI is co-ed. The school is located at 3 Vinsons Street, Heroes Hills, Quezon City. You can contact the school at 374-2922 or e-mail at waldorfmla@skyinet.net. You can also visit its website at manilawaldorfschool.edu.ph.