To the San Francisco Waldorf School's Graduating 8th Grade Class

A speech given to the Waldorf students, their parents and friends who were present at the June 2012 graduation.

Dearest 8^th grade, thank you for sharing your beautiful journey- not only the last 8 years, but this sweet trip down memory lane that you have displayed this evening. You are amazing.

 Thank you parents of the eighth graders! I am grateful that we and our children have wound up here together. I have worked with at risk teens in and out of the juvenile hall setting and I can tell you that they lack safe hands-on affection, respect and pure love. It is obvious that these children of the Waldorf School have been steeped in such devotion.

 And it is A Great Honor to be speaking not just at a school gathering, but the 2012 8^th grade graduation of this school, which to me, is a holy place of pedagogical intelligence, run by a staff of enlightened individuals.

 For instance, our cherished Kindergarten Teachers who started most of our kids off in this beautiful direction, and continue to cheer them on. Historian and author Thomas Carlyle claimed: “A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.” Monique, Dagmar and Diane- Your loving and magical hearts are the biggest, and we all thank you!
 

 And of course, there’s remarkable Laurence Jacquet, who has been dedicated to our kids from their tender age of 6 to a robust 14 years old. So may I take this moment to bow down before you, Ms Jacquet, before your strength , patience, encouragement and wisdom.  The foundation of our children’s lives have been well set by your weighty devotion. Thank you.

 If my words sound enthusiastic- it is because I am. However, I must add that due to living faraway in half moon bay -the 8 years of commuting has equaled 2,880 hours in the car OR 194,400 moments spent justifying being here.  Let us just say that I have well contemplated and rejoiced in this commitment. It truly has been worth it.

 Of course it was not always easy. I think we all remember the early days, when as tender younger parents we had to explain to friends and relatives why we were choosing Waldorf. Some of their dubious queries went like this:

• How old is your child? And when will they learn to READ?
• what! no computers? At all?
• Hah, no tv. No tv? NO TV??? Okay movies… no?!
• Ok, explain to me: ….eurythmy

 And situations like this: a dear old friend called me up crying saying that her public schooled first grader was having anxiety attacks due to the testing pressure and therefore she’s considering a sweet local waldorf school- after all, she clearly recognizes the positive impact on our lives but her biggest concern: If she did make the switch, does her son really have to stop eating sugar?

 To many, the Waldorf Education is still mysterious, a tad counter culture. And thank goodness. The cultural norm has been somewhat fashioned from the darker threads of Darwinism- based on the idea of survival of the fittest, of natural selection defined by strength and beauty which urges: “ the best *man* win”- competition being the name of the game- to  get ahead of everybody else.  Lesser known is that Darwin noted a more balanced view of nature and humanity that included the idea of community. In fact, his work: The Descent of Man highlights an evolution of love and moral sensitivity rather than isolating self promotion. In that same book the word love is mentioned 95 times, where “survival of the fittest” is listed just twice.      Darwin expressed that imagination, curiosity and wonder are some of the human’s greatest gifts.
 

 Coming from a competitive background, I know where that lonely road leads and in my adult life I am completely sold on the importance of tempering fierce competition and finding a harmonious balance between head and heart.  The Waldorf education teaches that balance and; with Ms. Jacquet’s exceptional leadership, her students are FULL of imagination, curiosity, wonder. And compassion, courage, authenticity, intelligence, a sense of community, openness, generosity…

 This class is much like a loving family.  Ok, with the occasional set of kissing cousins- but more than anything the respect they have for each other: the inclusiveness when new students came, and the blessings sent off with those who have left, is extraordinary. Each of the classes have their distinctive tone or flavor, and this one embodies trust and genuine affection for each other. Yes -surface tension might erupt now and again, but due to the grounding of up to 8 years together, the relationships are healthily worked out.

 Since their first grade, I have watched this class be placed into small groups or pairings and no matter which configuration of kids, they got along and supported each other’s uniqueness. Their open minds and hearts allow themselves -and each other- to confidently leave their comfort zones and feel free to explore their internal hidden depths and external opportunities.  This has already brought them to outstanding successes- such as:

• strength in sports where there once was weakness;
• brilliant and inventive minds,
• poetry pulled from the silence,
• gracious song, outstanding music
• gorgeous artistry and skills.

 They are fascinating and interesting people who will continue to be inspiring members and soon leaders of society.  I have no doubt that this class will never long lose their ability to shine.

 And so what is my experience of being a Waldorf parent of Simone, in this graduating class of 8^th graders?  It is one of supreme gratitude. I bless every single day that we are able to be a part of this community where not just the mind, but the heart, body and soul are vibrantly empowered. And it is not just Simone and her classmates who have been nourished, but I too have been inspired to step into my Higher Self.

 Lastly, I bow to you, 8^th grade for being YOU.

You are so much fun to know.