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Conference 2026
WORKSHOPS
Saturday
Morning
Only option
9:45am-10:30am
Please choose which workshops you would like to pa rticipate in. Remember you can only participate in one workshop per time slot. Example: one A ,one B and one C.
Workshop times are:
Slot A:
Saturday from 11-12:30,
4 options.
Slot B:
Saturday from 1:30-3:15,
3 options.
Slot C:
Sunday from 1:30-3:00,
5 options.
Saturday
Workshop times are:
Slot A: Saturday from 11-12:30
Slot B: Saturday from 1:30-3:15
Slot C: Sunday from 1:30-3:00
Workshop times are:
Slot A: Saturday from 11-12:30
Slot B: Saturday from 1:30-3:15
Slot C: Sunday from 1:30-3:00
Please choose which workshops you would like to participate in. Remember you can only participate in one workshop per time slot.
Example: one from Slot A, one from Slot B and one from Slot C.
Workshop times are:
Slot A:
Saturday from 11-12:30, 4 options
Slot B:
Saturday from 1:30-3:15, 3 options
Slot C:
Sunday from 1:30-3:00, 5 options
Slot A
4 options
11:00am-12:30pm
The Creative Art of Facilitating Social Integration
With Kathleen Purdy and Kimberly Smith
Only option, Satrurday 9:45am - 10:30am
Join Kathleen Purdy and Kimberly Smith for a lively, heart-felt introduction to the Art of Facilitating Social Integration.
This is a community capacity-building program called Jam Dance. The mission is to help everyone feel comfortable mixing and playing with people of all ages and abilities. It is not only fun, it helps us recognize and value capacity in others, leading to more healthy social engagement.
Participants will be guided through a variety of individual and group activities ranging from joyous, raucous expression to listening, seeing and attuning to each other. We may create a group sculpture, move like the wind, play with the sound of our name and explore various ways to move and interact, accompanied by live improvised music. Everyone is welcome to engage at their own level of comfort and mobility.
Kathleen Purdy has trained and worked as an Educational Support Teacher. She has a background as a teacher and as a Modern Dancer. She has been providing Creative Arts programs for people of all abilities and ages for the last 26 years.
Kimberly Smith has a BFA in Theatre Performance from York University(1981) and is an independent Video maker.
Inspired by their son Brendon Alexander, Kathleen and Kim founded the Alexander Society for Inclusive Arts in 2000 in the Annapolis Valley as a vessel for working with people who have developmental challenges.
“Through Creative Arts programs and Jam Dance we have learned that bringing the arts in all their forms to people of all ages and abilities has the potential for wonderful outcomes: having fun with each other, exploring creativity, understanding the strengths and gifts of others and most of all encouraging and facilitating the integration of everyone into their communities.”
See www.alexandersociety.org for information on our programs.
For information on “Inclusive Social Development on an Anthroposophic Basis” see the Charter of the Anthroposophic Council for Inclusive Social Development at static.goetheanum.ch.
The Importance of Care of the Soul
-for caregivers and for the young people in her/his care
With Judy King.
Slot A 11:00am-12:30pm
In this workshop we will explore, delicately, what we mean by 'care of the soul', as it pertains to an adult who cares for children, and to the young child him/herself. Gathering inspiration from words and colour.
Holding these guiding words of Rudolf Steiner, for Waldorf education: "Receive the child in reverence; Educate in love; Let the child go forth in freedom."
Judy King is a Waldorf-trained educator. She has taught children for 50 years: home schooling, in workshops and schools at nursery, kindergarten, and elementary grade levels. From 1996 to 2010, Judy was teaching at the South Shore Waldorf School & Kindergarten in Nova Scotia. Now retired, she continues to support the faculty of the school and give workshops in the Maritimes and in Taiwan.
Clock Case Woodworking
With Edward Edelstein.
Slot A, B & C 11:00am-3:15pm
Grade Seven Woodwork Project: Designing and Making a Relief Carved Clock
Limited to 10 people.
As children enter the beginnings of adolescence., grade seven Waldorf pedagogy introduces geometry at a time when their limbs are rapidly growing and the students are becoming “grounded” in space and time.
Clock making is a relatively easy project combining the science of geometry with a useful artistic object. You will take home your finished working clock along with a carving set to make relief carvings. The cost for the wood, clock mechanism and carving tools is $ 90.00 and will need to be paid in advance of the workshop.
Edward Edelstein, BSc Conservation Biology and MA Waldorf Education, taught both woodwork and biology full time for 25 years at the Toronto Waldorf School. During that time, he developed the most comprehensive Waldorf woodwork program for grades 5 to 12 found in North America. He is working on a book about Waldorf woodwork teaching. He currently is an architectural designer, builder and developer. www.ecogreenhomes.ca
Body Mechanics, the Olympic Games & the Spirit of Competition in the Waldorf Movement Curriculum
With Courtney Anderson.
Slot A 11:00am-12:30pm
Competing in the Greek Olympics is a significant rite of passage for grade 5 students in Waldorf education. However, coaching students to the point of feeling confident and successful in the Olympic events while fostering a deeper lived experience of the Olympic values of Excellence, Respect, and Friendship can feel like an overwhelming task for educators, especially if you yourself did not have an Olympic experience growing up. In this workshop we will discuss the framework for planning your event, what aspects may help create the sense of importance and a rite of passage, and of course, how to physically do the events themselves! Participants will get hands on with shotput, discus, javelin, wrestling, and learn the basics of running mechanics. No previous experience is necessary, simply a willingness to do your best and discover the joy that comes in physical challenge.
Courtney Anderson is the SSWS Movement Teacher and Faculty member. A perpetual and passionate learner, Courtney is adept at creating a safe and welcoming environment in which people feel supported to share their gifts and continue to grow. Her roots are in farming, which has instilled in her a desire to see the job through, attention, to detail, and a reverence for the world around us and the interconnection that binds us all.
Honouring the Ordinary;
Archetypes in Everyday Life
With Margaret Osmond and Carol Nasr.
Slot A 11:00am-12:30pm
Archetypes in the human and natural world form an unspoken language that young children understand.
When we slow down, we become aware of the living archetypes in our midst.
As we consciously offer these archetypal structures, experiences, and moments to the young child, we anchor them in their bodies, in their social groups, and in the world.
Feeling welcomed and embraced in their immediate environment, they receive the gift of belonging and an inner map of life on earth.
Carol Nasr has been a Waldorf early childhood educator for many years and in a wide variety of settings. She currently lives in Halifax and supports parents of infants and toddlers through Calm Parenting Playgroups and Consulting.
Margaret Osmond completed her Eurythmy Training in England. She then taught children between the ages of 3 and 10, performed Eurythmy regularly in an artistic group, and creating festival celebrations with her husband Arthur. She was a tutor for The London Waldorf Teacher Training Seminar and The Seminar for Early Childhood Education. Here in Nova Scotia, Margaret hopes to ignite enthusiasm for Eurythmy - an art of movement for our time.
Saturday
Slot B
3 options
1:30pm-3:15pm
How Schools Work With Anthroposophy
& the Pedagogy.
With Wahsonti:io.
Slot B 1:30-3:15pm
Wahsonti:io will offer a picture of how Skaronhyase'ko:wa, the Everlasting Tree School, is striving to offer an educational model that is a response to the residential school agenda. The Rotinonhsyon:ni (People of the Longhouse) philosophy that evloved over the many thousands of years of existence here on Turtle Island is brought as the spiritual essence of the curriculum. Both philosophies advocate for a holistic approach to life. Skaronhyse'ko:wa promotes balance and respect for all living things, while Anthroposophy encourages a comprehensive understanding of human development and the cosmos. The lifeways emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of harmony within the community and nature. We use envisioning as a practice as guidance to bring what the children's need today. I will offer you envisioning experience through the practice of the "seven life processes" applied to adult learning and personal development adapted and developed by educator and author Coenraad van Houten. By integrating the principles of Skaronhyse'ko:wa with the insights of Anthroposophy, individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding of their place in the world, fostering a sense of responsibility and interconnectedness that benefits both personal growth and the broader community.
Washonti:io is the Waldorf East 2026 Keynote Speaker. Full biography alongside the Keynote Address details.
How Chalkboard Work
Supports Waldorf Pedagogy
With Lasse Eriksen
Slot B 1:30-3:15pm
This workshop offers concrete techniques and considerations as to how to use a chalkboard as a way to explore art and deepen our students' experience within a subject. We will touch upon colors, different chalks, surfaces, creating texture, depth, light, choice of illustration/artwork, how chalk drawings and work translate onto paper, storytelling, proportions, why borders matter, how to inspire the kids and why artwork is important.
Lasse Eriksen is a Waldorf teacher from Denmark who primarily has been engaged in teaching youth and young adults in middle and high-school programs at Michaelskolen in Denmark. Before embarking on the journey to become a Waldorf teacher he taught and worked as an architect.
Horsing Around
With Ruth Claus.
Slot B 1:30-3:15pm
Discover how Horse Powered Reading combines research-based literacy instruction with purposeful interactions alongside horses to create engaging, movement-rich learning experiences for children. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore how multi-sensory activities can build confidence, motivation, attention, executive functioning, and foundational reading skills while fostering joy and connection.
Through demonstrations, hands-on activities, and real-world examples, attendees will experience how literacy concepts can come alive outside the traditional classroom. Whether you are an educator, therapist, homeschool parent, or equine professional, you will leave with practical ideas and a deeper understanding of how horses can become powerful partners in learning—supporting not only reading development but the whole child.
Ruth Claus is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL), Mentor, and Certified Horse Powered Reading® Facilitator. She is the founder of “Horsing Around and Learning” based in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, where she combines evidence-informed literacy instruction with the unique engagement of horses to support children’s reading development, confidence, and motivation.
A lifelong horsewoman and coach, Ruth has trained at PATH Intl. and CanTRA centres across North America and is committed to helping children thrive through experiential, relationship-based learning. She serves as Ambassador for the Society for Equine-Assisted Services Nova Scotia (SEASNS) and was honoured as Equestrian Nova Scotia’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Ruth is passionate about creating joyful, meaningful learning experiences that nurture the whole child while celebrating the transformative partnership between horses and humans.
Saturday
Afternoon
Only option
3:45-4:30
Traditional Hide Tanning
With Maggie Oickle
Only option 3:45-4:30pm
Traditional hide tanning demonstration. Tanning hides is an ancient craft, a dance between nature and skill that transforms raw animal skins into supple, durable leather. It’s a journey that connects us to traditions long past, yet it’s also a deeply personal and rewarding process.
Maggie Oickle is the founder of Maggie’s Way, a wellness practice born from her five-year personal journey to make natural living approachable, with a chemical-free lifestyle supported by natural materials and products. Maggie began creating her own health and wellness essentials, including handmade soaps, insect repellents and specialized skincare. Her traditional hide tanning expertise opened the way for full-animal utilization. She utilizes her deep knowledge of environmental stewardship and plant remedies to promote holistic healing, incorporating hand-foraged materials and traditional elements like bear oil. Through natural products, spiritual experiences, and educational guidance, Maggie empowers others to embrace natural healing and live better. Get to know her at maggiesway.ca
Sunday
Morning
Only option
9:45-11:00
With Puneet Mann
Only option 9:45am-11:00am
The answer to the question - How does Spirit touch the Soul? - must be experienced to be true. It is a question of method since it begins with how. Thereby, the question is also an invitation for a beginning that recognizes the weight of the spirit bearing down and the support of the soul upwards. Between the two is the open space that nevertheless remains separated unless a new
impulse creates movement. This new impulse is here now because the spiritual world wants to connect with us. It is moving towards us. How are we going to respond and work with the ground that is our soul? It requires patience and, at the same time, an unshakeable endurance in the face of setbacks and inevitable errors despite careful preparation. It is a journey of the human being through our past, present and future about which we attempt to become more conscious.
Puneet Mann is a Waldorf grades homeschooler and an Anthroposophically inspired guide for high school and beyond. She also played the role of Sophia in a three-year project in Toronto to stage an entire first mystery drama by Rudolf Steiner, “The Portal of Initiation.” She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master’s Degree in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations and an Advanced Program in Human Resources Management. After working in the business world
with NCR Corporation and KPMG, she left her career to care for her three children and her interests turned towards age-appropriate education to suit the needs of the developing human being. She completed her Anthroposophical Foundations Course and Waldorf Teacher Training at the Rudolf Steiner Center, Toronto. Most recently, she attended a semester of Anthroposophy Studies on Campus at the Goetheanum, Switzerland. Puneet lives in Nova Scotia after moving from Ontario in 2021.
How Does Spirit Touch the Soul
Only option
11:00am-12:30pm
With Tilo Crass.
Only option 11:00am-12:30pm
The Biodyanamic Horn Manure and the Quartz Crystal preparation combine the deepest Spiritual insights with the most practical application. The effects of those applications can only be understood with a profound understanding of Anthroposophy.
Tilo Crass, Director of the Biodyanamic Farming Diploma Program of the Rudolf Steiner College Canada and founder of Bear River Farms will give a brief introduction for a better understanding of the Biodynamic Preparations.
The Foundations of the Biodynamic Field Sprays
Sunday
Afternoon
Slot C
5 options
1:30-3:00
Goat Milk Soap-Making
With Melonie Swinamer
SLOT C, Sunday 1:30pm - 3:00pm
During this class you will learn how to make various types of soap, about the process, ingredients and tools needed.
You will go home with recipes, resources and a bar of personalized, handmade soap.
This will not be a scent-free class, however, I use only essential oils, no perfumes or fragrance oils.
Please note this is a demonstration class. Attendees will observe the soap-making process. Everyone will get to add their choice of scent and colourant to personalize a bar of soap to take home.
Melonie Swinamer is a local South Shore maker who specializes in all-natural personal care and household products, in small batches using essential oils and natural products - no melt & pour, perfumes or dyes.
Natural Rope Making & Knots
With Jake Wentzel
Slot C 1:30-3:15pm
Join me for a deep dive into rope making as we learn to process plants and twist their fibres into functional and beautiful cordage. With the time left over we will learn some super handy knots.
Jake Wentzel was born and raised on the South Shore. He has spent most of his 40 years studying and sharing the skills of deep nature connection. A husband, father, organic farmer and nature educator, with a passion for community building, surfing and teaching the next generation to use their hands as well as follow their hearts.
Honouring the Child's Journey to Earth Through Birthday Celebrations in the Waldorf Kindergarten
For teachers, caregivers, and parents
With Monika Wildemann.
SLOT C, Sunday 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Each child comes to us with a unique story. In this workshop, we will explore ways of deepening our understanding of the child through the creation of a Waldorf-inspired Birth Story for birthday celebrations in the kindergarten.
I will share a form I have developed that invites parents to reflect on and share the year leading up to their child's birth. This process offers teachers an opportunity to come to know the family more deeply, to glimpse the child's earliest beginnings, and to discover how these insights can enrich and inform their work with the child.
Together, we will explore how to weave the family's memories and experiences into a simple, imaginative, and nourishing story that speaks to the heart of the young child. These stories often become cherished moments in the classroom and can be deeply meaningful and healing for families as they revisit the wonder of their child's arrival on Earth.
The workshop will also include a handwork project. Participants will learn how to create a small handcrafted gift to accompany a child's birthday celebration. Minimal sewing skills are required. It is helpful to come with a particular child in mind for whom you may wish to make this special gift.
Through storytelling, reflection, and handwork, we will celebrate the mystery of childhood and the unique path each child takes on their journey to Earth.
Monika Wildemann has been part of the South Shore Waldorf School community for the past 21 years. She first arrived as a parent, seeking a nurturing environment for her daughter and not fully knowing what she would find.
What she discovered was a community that embraced childhood with reverence and care. She watched her daughter flourish in an environment nourished by healthy food, meaningful rhythms, imaginative play, and the loving guidance of skilled Waldorf teachers.
As her daughter journeyed from kindergarten into the grades, Monika came to appreciate the wisdom and beauty of the Waldorf curriculum. She witnessed how the experiences of the early years, rich in movement, story, creativity, and wonder form a living foundation that supports the child's unfolding development for years to come.
Inspired by these experiences, Monika undertook Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto, becoming a certified Waldorf Kindergarten Teacher in 2012.
Over the years, she has accompanied many young children and their families, cultivating a deep appreciation for the individuality of each child and the unique path each takes in coming into the world. Through storytelling, handwork, festivals, puppetry, and the rhythms of daily life, she has sought to create spaces where children feel welcomed, seen, and cherished.
As Monika prepares to retire from teaching this year, she looks forward to sharing some of the practical wisdom, creative approaches, and heartfelt experiences she has gathered during her years in Waldorf education.
The Creative Art of Facilitating Social Integration - Part 2
With Kathleen Purdy and Kimberly Smith
SLOT C, Sunday 1:30pm - 3:00pm.
Expanding on experiences from the Saturday morning Social Integration Workshop, we will explore more creative options and the process of group facilitation. Participants will have the opportunity to lead exercises, and engage in discussions of what works, how to include everyone,
where these techniques may be beneficial. This session may also include visual art and craft creations inspired by movement improvisations.
Come prepared to move freely!
Biodynamic Field Sprays Workshop
With Tilo Crass.
SLOT C, Sunday 1:30pm - 3:00pm.
This workshop is for everybody who wants to understand more about the practical application of the Biodyanamic Field sprays. In this workshop, Biodynamic Farmer Tilo Crass will show you how the preparations are properly stirred and applied. Every participant will have the opportunity to get a hands-on experience.
Tilo Crass, Director of the Biodyanamic Farming Diploma Program of the Rudolf Steiner College Canada and founder of Bear River Farms.
