Chiron 2007 Summer Curriculum Courses

Program Leader

Gene Campbell
has an Ontario Teacher's Certificate and has taught from Kindergarten to Grade Eight for thirty years. In addition to her training and experience as a Waldorf teacher and Gestalt therapist, she has led biography and Steiner-related study groups. She offers individual and parental counselling and has been consulted by Waldorf schools and homeschooling groups in Ontario for many years.

Additional Faculty

Brenda Armstrong-Champ: Brenda is the founder of Waldorf Family Network, a grassroots project serving homeschooling families inspired by Waldorf education. Formerly in a Waldorf school community, she and her husband Joseph are now in their 7th year of homeschooling their two children (ages 13 and 10) using Waldorf methods. Brenda completed a two-year Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and has attended Chiron conferences since 2001. She and her family reside on Michaelmas farm, a rural farm and developing centre for cultural renewal based in north-central Massachusetts.

Marg Beard: Marg and her husband Phil have been homeschooling their three children for 13 years. As co-founder of the Rosewood Homeschooling Group, Marg collaborated with other Waldorf-inspired homeschoolers to offer the elementary curriculum to her now-teenaged children. She and Phil continue to homeschool and pioneer Waldorf homeschooling at the highschool level. Marg presently serves on the board of directors at the Applegate alternative school in Paisley, Ontario. She serves as the school’s curriculum and parenting consultant supporting their Steiner child development philosophy. Marg will share her talent and experience with the Waldorf music curriculum as well as her broader homeschooling insights during the Chiron grades intensives.

Ena Bruce: Ena has bee involved in Waldorf Education for more than 25 years. She has taught kindergarten to grade 3 as well as being a Waldorf Administrator for over seven years. She is currently teaching grade three at the Alan Howard Waldorf School and serves as Curriculum Manager and in-house mentor. Ena has been part of Chiron since its inception and is a well-known face to many.

Barbara Dewey: Barbara holds an M.S. in Waldorf Education from the Waldorf Institute of Sunbridge College in Spring Valley, N.Y. ands a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Rochester, N.Y. Barbara has been teaching for 40 years. She has taught public school, led a large 4H club, owned and operated a preschool, been involved with and directed a children’s camp and its youth wilderness programs. She provided regular group classes for Waldorf homeschooled children in Cleveland, Canton, and Pittsburgh for several years and leads workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada for parents and Waldorf initiatives. She also presents residential Family Weekend Workshops at Taproot Farm, her home in Ohio. She provides consultation on Waldorf curriculum and individualized educational planning for homeschooling families via the internet, e-mail, fax, regular mail or telephone. She is the mother of four and grandmother of six.

John Grant McLoughlin: John is a mathematics educator at University of New Brunswick. He has offered workshops and sessions at previous Chiron conferences and at the 2003 summer intensives. John has also worked with mathematics teachers, including parents, at various levels through studies, professional development, mathematical contests, and public events such as recreational math exhibits.

Kathy Grant McLoughlin: Kathy is an experienced educator who has taught in outdoor and environmental education as well as public schools prior to coming to Waldorf Education 13 years ago. Before coming to the South Shore Waldorf School, she taught her children at home with a Waldorf-inspired approach for five years. She is actively involved in professional development and the Chiron initiative.

Anna Gruda: Anna has taught in Waldorf schools for 16 years. She has worked for 6 years guiding and supporting Waldorf-inspired homeschoolers and has been on the faculty of Chiron since its inception. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, she offers both adult and children’s art courses at Hesperus in Thornhill. She hold a Waldorf teacher certificate and is currently the Art teacher at the Toronto Waldorf School as well as offering courses through the Rudolf Steiner Centre.

Brian Searson: Brian holds a Waldorf teacher certificate and has taught for 16 years in several Waldorf schools. He is currently the grade 4 teacher at the Toronto Waldorf School. He is an artist, musician, and storyteller who has contributed to Chiron workshops and curriculum development since its inception. He acts as advisor to Waldorf teachers and homeschooling parents.

Kate Walter: Kate has worked in Waldorf education for over 22 years as development officer and class teacher. She is currently the gardening teacher at the Toronto Waldorf School. She has contributed to Chiron workshops and curriculum courses for several years.

Michael Wright: Michael, a musician, has taught in Waldorf schools for 20 years. He holds a certificate in remedial education from the Association for a Healing Education. Currently, he is the grade 7 teacher at the Toronto Waldorf School. He has offered courses and carried the leading curriculum grades in Chiron for several years.