How can a Waldorf classroom teacher teach all subjects throughout the eight years of elementary education?

The classroom teacher is not the children’s only teacher. Every day, other teachers teach the subject specialty eurythmy, handicrafts, foreign language, instrumental music, and so on. The class teacher is, however, responsible for the two “core” hours every morning and usually also for one or two lessons at the end of the day. In the most important lesson, which brings together all the main academic subjects to children, including language, science, history and mathematics, as well as painting, music, clay modeling, and so on. The teacher will refer, in fact with a wide range of topics, and therefore the question is valid. A common misconception in our time is that education is nothing more than the transfer of information. From Waldorf’s point of view, true education also involves the awakening of capacities: the ability to think clearly and critically, to experience empathy and understanding of phenomena in the world, to distinguish what is beautiful, good and true. The classroom teacher walks a path of discovery with the children and guides them in understanding the world, its meanings, rather than reporting on a world of cause and effect. Classroom teachers work very hard to master the content of the various subjects they teach. But the ultimate success of the master lies in his ability to work with the inner faculties that are still “in the bud,” so that they can grow, develop, and open up in a beautiful, balanced and healthy way. Through this approach to teaching, children will be truly prepared for the real world.