Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
WSSD is United Against All Forms of Injustice
Waldorf School of San Diego
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Position Statement
The faculty, staff, administration, and board of WSSD are committed to actively increasing our understanding of our history, serving equity in race, gender, ancestry and national origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, ability, and in civic discourse.
We recognize the historical and ongoing impact of racism on our continent and the injustice and discrimination historically marginalized people face. We understand that racial justice in education is a moral imperative.
Rudolf Steiner, founder of anthroposophy in the early 20th century, offered profound insights that support the value and development of each human being. These inspirations inform our organization’s history and worldviews.
We also acknowledge that Rudolf Steiner made assertions regarding race and ethnicity that have caused harm. Racism, explicit or implicit, stands in direct conflict with the fundamental principles of anthroposophy and our educational work at WSSD.
We know we have far to go as individuals, a school, and a community in our understanding of racial oppression and social justice, and in transforming ourselves, our biases, and our systems. We are striving to do better; to transform education and support the growth and development of the children in our care. It is our task to uphold the idea of wholeness that Rudolf Steiner gave to us, and let go of what may have caused harm.
The Waldorf School of San Diego strives to provide an education that meets the needs of the whole child. Teachers trained in Rudolf Steiner’s method of inquiry and Waldorf education, work in freedom: freedom to use a variety of curricula to meet the needs of students in a developmentally appropriate way. With this freedom, and with each Teacher’s striving, we hope to have an impact in addressing the historical and ongoing injustices of our culture.
We humbly seek a path forward that uplifts the dignity of every human being.
The Leadership Council would like to extend an apology on behalf of The Waldorf School of San Diego for the length of time it has taken us to produce a united statement on Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. We want to assure our community that we stand together in this work, and we have spent time reflecting on the challenges that stalled the efforts to produce this statement. This is a living document, and the Leadership Council commits to continuing to review and evolve this statement as we strive to keep learning together. (2022)
Inclusive Community
The faculty, staff, parents and students of the Waldorf School of San Diego represent a wide array of ethnicities, nationalities, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, learning differences and life experiences. We seek to establish an inclusive learning environment in which differences are understood and celebrated. We strive to weave multiculturalism into the curriculum and to integrate equity and inclusion into every aspect of school life. Growth is an ongoing process that calls on the qualities of commitment, cooperation, and respect that are at the heart of Waldorf education. We aspire to be a community that is supportive, equitable, and free from impediments to learning. The curriculum that we deliver offers students both a window into the experiences of others and a mirror to reflect on their own lives.
How to talk to children about racism and violence: resources for teachers, parents and guardians
Anti-racism Resources for White People: Compilation of resources for white people and parents to deepen our work in anti-racism
Array Now: Started by Ava DuVernay, director of the film When They See Us, this is a compilation of African American independent films – an array of stories and voices.
Teaching for Change: Building Social Justice starting in the classroom.
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: Curated by Medium and updated regularly.