Shannon O’Laughlin
Shannon O’Laughlin began her journey with Waldorf Education in 2006 after teaching English Language Development for two years in a mainstream school. She picked up a class of Second Graders at Blue Oak Charter School in Chico, California and carried the class through the grades. She graduated them in June of 2013, and is currently on a year leave of absence. In that time, she has been mentoring teachers at her school; sharing her love for the Waldorf pedagogy. She is the first teacher at her Waldorf inspired public school to have taken a class through the grades. The depth of relationship developed between she and the students, as well as with their parents in those seven years, was the beginning of a lifelong path together. The transformation Shannon underwent, spiritually, intellectually, artistically, emotionally, musically, and physically, in the seven years with her class, has had a profound effect on shaping who she is today. Shannon has a strong determination to uphold the Waldorf pedagogy, educating the whole child (head, heart, and hands), in the public sphere.
As a class teacher, Shannon saw the incredible benefits of keeping her students moving. Their ability to learn everything from form drawing, to mathematics, to reading, to spatial awareness, were all greatly enhanced by learning through their bodies doing intentional movements. Shannon is an advocate for all things being put into the child’s physical body and feeling body, before being brought into concept; their intellect. In addition to building a child’s will forces through action, Shannon, became a dedicated handwork teacher to her class, encouraging tenacity in her students with the joy of creating beautiful hand crafted items.
The beauty, rhythm, and reverence of Waldorf Education first captivated Shannon, however the intentionally intricate depth of the curriculum has given her the knowing that this is the service she wishes to continue to share in this life.
As a class teacher, Shannon saw the incredible benefits of keeping her students moving. Their ability to learn everything from form drawing, to mathematics, to reading, to spatial awareness, were all greatly enhanced by learning through their bodies doing intentional movements. Shannon is an advocate for all things being put into the child’s physical body and feeling body, before being brought into concept; their intellect. In addition to building a child’s will forces through action, Shannon, became a dedicated handwork teacher to her class, encouraging tenacity in her students with the joy of creating beautiful hand crafted items.
The beauty, rhythm, and reverence of Waldorf Education first captivated Shannon, however the intentionally intricate depth of the curriculum has given her the knowing that this is the service she wishes to continue to share in this life.
