Virtual Summer Professional Development & Symposium
The Alliance’s Summer Professional Development offers a rich opportunity for educators and school leaders to grow in both skill and community. Week One provides orientation and foundational knowledge for those new to our work, while Week Two offers in-depth professional development for teachers and leaders working within the Core Principles of Public Waldorf Education. New this year: a one-day symposium, Acceleration and Wisdom: Education in the Age of AI. The symposium is included with Week 1 or Week 2 registration, or is available as a standalone day.
Explore the Conference Compass for presenter bios, session information, schedules, and more.
2026 Summer Professional Development Dates :
Week #1: July 7–9 | Fundamentals of Public Waldorf Education
Symposium: July 10 | Acceleration and Wisdom in the Age of AI.
Week #2: July 13–17 | Preparation Tracks for:
Early Childhood
Grades Cohorts for Grades 1–8
Leadership
2026 Summer Professional Development Pricing :
Symposium Only: Alliance Member: $60 | Non-Member: $75
Week #1: Alliance Member: $250 | Non-Member: $315
Week #2: Alliance Member: $410 | Non-Member: $515
Both Weeks: Alliance Member: $525 | Non-Member: $660
Single Session: Alliance Member: $40 | Non-Member: $45
School Rates :
Week #1: 3–5 attendees: $600 | 6–9 attendees: $1,200 | 10+ attendees: $2,000
Week #2: 3–5 attendees: $985 | 6–9 attendees: $1,970 | 10+ attendees: $3,280
Both Weeks: 3–5 attendees: $1,260 | 6–9 attendees: $2,520 | 10+ attendees: $4,200
Our professional development will be offered over two weeks:
Week I, July 7-9 (Note this is Tuesday-Thursday): Fundamentals of Public Waldorf Education. These introductory sessions are designed for those new or fairly new to Public Waldorf: they provide an overview and framework of our work and an essential understanding of our Core Principles.
Week II, July 13-17: Early Childhood, Grades 1-8, and School Leadership. These sessions will help you to develop a deeper understanding of early childhood or a specific grade and to prepare for a new school year. They are provided for Public Waldorf school teachers by Public Waldorf school teachers: experienced educators who understand the unique possibilities and challenges of a Public Waldorf classroom. Our leadership track is available to anyone in a school leadership position; it will be informative about current issues, explore best practices, and provide opportunities for networking and exchanges with peers.
New this year: a one-day symposium, Acceleration and Wisdom: Education in the Age of AI. Friday, July 10. Join us to explore a topic of great significance for education today. We are excited to provide this event as a bonus for anyone participating in Week I or Week II and, given widespread interest in and timeliness of this topic, will be available as a one-day event for anyone.
Symposium: Friday, July 10
The Symposium will include a keynote address by Ben Klocek, discussion groups, and a moderated panel discussion. Ben’s talk will invite us to consider what it means to educate the human being in a time of rapid change. As technology amplifies our capacity to act, feel, and think, how do we cultivate balance, depth, and discernment? Along with us, Ben will explore how the rhythm of the school day, movement, art, and thoughtful engagement, can support the development of grounded, integrated, and wise human beings in an age of acceleration.
Symposium Only Registration:
Alliance Members: $60 | Non-Members: $75
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time (PST).
9:00–9:20 AM: Eurythmy with Mary Ruud
9:30–11:00 AM: Keynote Presentation Acceleration and Wisdom: Education in the Age of AI with keynote speaker Ben Klocek
11:00–11:30 AM: Break
12:20–1:20 PM: Moderated Panel Discussion
Moderator: Ben Klocek
Panelists: Erin Schirm, Jacob Carr, Willow Mata, Liz Beaven
