How Things Work At Green Meadow

As is customary in Waldorf schools, Green Meadow Waldorf School is self-administered.  While the trustees of the Threefold Educational Center and School serve as the legal board, the responsibility for administering our school lies with the Collegium and the Green Meadow Board, which delegate responsibilities to the Collegium Committee (the executive body of the Collegium), the school administrator, and a multitude of mandated committees.  Green Meadow's faculty, staff, and parents also contribute to this process through committee work and volunteerism.

Collegium

Chaired by a faculty member and comprised of faculty, staff and the Administrator, the Collegium acts as the guardian of the long-term, evolving identity of the school.  The Collegium makes the final decision about which teachers will join or leave the school, as well as other mission-driven decisions, including major changes in the curriculum.  The central task of the Collegium is to nurture and support the ideals of Waldorf Education within the school by:

1. devoting meeting time to strengthening the spiritual background of the education and the inner life of the teacher
2. supporting the efforts of those in the school who lead child studies and curriculum studies in faculty meetings
3. overseeing mandated committee work
4. sensing the needs of the school as a whole and providing supportive activities and taking action as required
5. encouraging the growth of Waldorf Education in America through participation in the work of AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America)
6. supporting, through mentoring, the work of newer Waldorf schools
7. sharing in discussions with colleagues from other schools

Collegium Committee

The Collegium Committee, acting as the administrative arm of the Collegium, comprises four or five Collegium members, representing the three sections of the school, who serve for three years each. Chaired by the school administrator, the Collegium Committee reports weekly to the full faculty and the Collegium, and monthly to the Board.  The main tasks of the Collegium Committee are:

1. ensuring that school policies and procedures are being followed
2. making day-to-day decisions for the management of the school
3. responding to unresolved concerns of parents or employees
4. facilitating problem solving among parents, faculty, and staff as needed

Administrator

Kay Hoffman, Administrator, is a member of the Collegium, Chair of the Collegium Committee, and an ex-officio member of the Green Meadow Board.  As administrator, she is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Collegium and Collegium Committee. She also assists in agenda planning for the Collegium, the Collegium Committee, and the Board. The administrator is responsible for communications within the school, in the larger Waldorf community, and with local and state institutions.

Green Meadow Board

The Green Meadow Board is comprised of parents, alumni, faculty, and friends of the school who have been invited to join as members.  The Board supports the work of the administration, the Collegium, and the Collegium Committee, by discussing and making recommendations on budgets and finance, legal matters, fundraising and development, volunteerism, parent concerns, and long-range planning.  Members serve for a term of three years, while the Administrator and Director of Development serve as permanent members.  Board members also serve on ad hoc or standing committees formed for specific tasks.  Members of the community are welcome to refer matters of concern to the Board through written communication with the chairperson.

Members of the Collegium, Collegium Committee and the Board are challenged to make decisions which affect the whole school.  Addressing new situations, while working in this collaborative way, develops new capacities in those who participate and broadens perspectives on the life of the school.  Responding to changes in the larger world, the school evolves by adapting to new challenges, incorporating new ideas, and welcoming new participants.

Staff

The staff at Green Meadow, many of whom have some level of Waldorf training, play an integral part in the daily operations of the school. Their contributions, though often behind the scenes, are felt in many ways. Our dedicated staff support the faculty, students and parents by running the Business, Development, Enrollment, and Public Relations Offices, publishing The Bulletin, scheduling and facilitating events, maintaining the facilities, serving on school committees and boards, and enabling communications throughout the school community.

Faculty

The faculty members at Green Meadow are trained educators with varied teaching backgrounds.  In addition to undergraduate or postgraduate degrees, all classroom teachers and most specialty teachers have specific Waldorf teacher training.  As a well-established Waldorf school, Green Meadow attracts candidates from all over the country.  The school's rigorous hiring process allows both Green Meadow and the candidate ample opportunities to determine the appropriateness of each new hire.

Teachers, who are in daily contact with the children, have the ability to respond directly to student needs and parent concerns.  Teachers strive to connect with each family, building a network of support for each child.  Linking home life to school life allows for additional experiences to reinforce school curriculum.

In addition to teaching students, teachers serve on school committees, meet weekly as a group to discuss educational topics, issues and concerns, and further their own educational studies.  Our teachers continue to study and grow, setting an example of learning as a life-long endeavor.  Green Meadow teachers also hold regular class meetings with parents to maintain open communication.  They introduce parents to the underlying principles of Waldorf education, and encourage questions and participation in educational lectures and workshops.

Parents

Parent participation and volunteerism at Green Meadow completes the circle of support and learning for the students.  Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their children's education, helping in a number of critical areas from serving on boards and committees to supporting community-building activities and fundraisers such as the Fall Fair, Annual Giving Campaign, and Parent Handwork Group.  The Parent Council, made up of delegates from all classes, plays an important role in the school.  The Council meetings foster discussion about school-related issues, and the delegates are dedicated to promoting communication and understanding among parents, staff and teachers.