Gwyn Schmidtberger

Bluestem Class Lead Teacher

Something so unique, in my opinion, is to be a Kansan. I have always said Kansans have a direct connection to the land, to Education and to a way of being radically different.  And something unique to Kansas is a small school in the heartland, Prairie Moon Waldorf School.  

Those of us born here don’t always realize we are from the Heartland, with a distinct pulse and rhythm coursing through us. Many of us can’t wait to set out for adventure and a fresh place to call home. Others find themselves back on the Kansas soil after time, wondering how they ended up full circle—and that is me. Like Dorothy tossed out into a new setting, journeying to many exciting places, I eventually returned to Kansas. My sense is that Prairie Moon had called me here already back in 2007. 

I am from Hays, on the western plains. I have lived on both coasts,in Mexico and Germany. I have three children—a high schooler, middle schooler and grade schooler. I have worked with all ages of children in many different areas of education and managed my own Waldorf influenced home daycare in my hometown in 2009-11. My introduction to Anthroposophy and the Waldorf school back in 2005 came from an opportunity to translate info for a traveling art exhibit of drawings from Waldorf Kindergarten children while living in Düsseldorf. My view of education and how a human develops was changed forever. 

Prairie Moon brought me to Lawrence in 2013, working for five years in all areas of the EC program—Robin’s Nest, Assistant and Lead Teacher—and I received my Waldorf teacher training certification from Sound Circle in Seattle, WA in 2017. Like the spiral of life, we very often find ourselves back to a familiar place to reunite and engage again, giving one an opportunity to share knowledge learned from time spent away. 

My return to PMWS is such a delight. I adore children and the wonder and joy of supporting and watching them develop through each of the seven year cycles feels so right and affirms my decision to be a Waldorf teacher every day. What really lights me up, as a parent myself, is to meet with other parents, navigating together how to be the best we can for our children. It is a never-ending journey for them and ourselves. Being an EC Lead teacher, I am immersed in all of this. 

I am honored to be working with your child, with you and with the faculty and staff of PMWS—“there is no place like home” and when you feel the resonance, your heart just sings.