Why Waldorf?

Exploring the Soul of Learning Through Waldorf Wisdom

Welcome, kindred spirits,

You’ve found your way to this newsletter where education still has a heartbeat—and I’m so glad you’re here. This Substack is called Waldorf Education, but really, it’s a conversation. A dialogue about what it means to learn, to grow, to awaken the whole human being in a world that often forgets what it means to be one.

If you already follow my original Substack, Novels That Illuminate, you know my passion for storytelling as a vessel for soul and meaning. This new space is a natural extension of that mission, shifting the focus from fiction to formation, from narrative to nurture, through the lens of Waldorf education.

In Waldorf, we understand that childhood unfolds like a sunrise, not a race. That wonder is not a luxury, but a necessity. And that education, when done well, doesn’t just inform—it transforms. And in times like these, when the world feels increasingly fragmented, when political upheaval shakes the ground beneath us, and when young people face a future clouded by uncertainty, this kind of education becomes not only relevant but essential.

Because it’s not enough to raise students who can take tests. We must raise human beings who can take a stand. Who can think, feel deeply, and act with courage in the face of chaos. Waldorf education plants the seeds of discernment, resilience, and inner freedom—qualities the world is starving for.

So why Waldorf? Why now?

My Origin Story

I’m a proud graduate of the very first high school class of the Green Meadow Waldorf School in 1976. I still remember the smell of beeswax, the cadence of morning verses, the way stories seemed to walk beside us, shaping our days from the inside out. I’ve worn many hats since—entrepreneur, speaker, writer, advocate—but the thread of Waldorf education has never left me. It’s in how I think. How I listen. How I parented. How I perceive the soul in everything.

And now, I’m returning to it with fresh eyes and a deeper calling: to share this treasure with a broader circle.

I currently serve on the Advisory Board of Green Meadow, but more importantly, I believe—deeply—that education must nurture the whole human being: mind, heart, and hands.

That vision has stayed with me since my earliest days in the classroom. It’s more than a memory—it’s a living current. And today, in a world that’s desperate for substance, meaning, and integrity, I’m honored to support the very school that shaped me—a place whose mission still echoes through my life.

Let me share with you the mission of Green Meadow Waldorf School—the guiding spirit behind this lifelong journey.

Mission Statement

Green Meadow Waldorf School inspire students for life.Grounded in a deep understanding of human development, we offer a diverse, artistic, and scholarly curriculum that sparks curiosity and creativity.Our immersion in nature and community enriches moral, ecological, and social awareness, fostering well-rounded individuals.Graduates emerge ready to lead with integrity, turn their ideas into meaningful actions, and meet global challenges.

What You’ll Find Here

This newsletter isn’t a school brochure. It’s not a pitch. It’s a living archive of wonder—built from essays, reflections, interviews, stories, and the occasional gentle rant on the perils of educational conformity.

You’ll also find a weekly feature I’m calling Morning Lesson—an homage to a beloved tradition in Waldorf education. For those new to the term, Morning Lesson occurs at the dawn of each school day: a focused, immersive two-hour block where a single subject is explored over several weeks. Whether it’s astronomy or botany, epic poetry or revolutions, each lesson meets the student at the developmental stage where that subject speaks most deeply to the soul.

This week’s Morning Lesson is: Moby Dick.

Yes, that Moby Dick. Taught in the high school years, this literary leviathan meets adolescents right where they are—grappling with destiny, obsession, moral ambiguity, and the deep unknowns of life. In Waldorf, we don’t just read books—we sail into them. We embody them. And Melville’s masterpiece is no exception.

Coming Soon

Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:

• The Roots: Who was Rudolf Steiner, and how did Waldorf begin?

• The Journey: What does the curriculum look like from Kindergarten to 12th grade?

• The Myths: Waldorf doesn’t prepare kids for the real world.

• The Soul of It All: Why rhythm, story, and beauty aren’t extras—they are the education.

• The Now: Why Waldorf matters more than ever in an age of AI and algorithmic thinking.

• The Seasons: Reflections on nature’s rhythm and the festivals that honor it.

You’ll also hear from others—teachers, alumni, parents—each adding their thread to the tapestry.

What Comes Next

Each week, this newsletter will explore literature, history, astronomy, biology, and more—not as mere subjects, but as living conversations between the world and the inner life of the learner.

If you know a parent who’s searching for something deeper, a teacher who’s grown weary of factory-model schooling, a public school family longing for more soul and creativity in their child’s day, or a homeschooler seeking beauty and rhythm, share this with them. Invite them into the circle.

And if you have already walked the Waldorf path, welcome home.

We’re just getting started.

With warmth and wonder,

Neil Perry Gordon

Green Meadow Class of ’76 | Writer | Waldorf Advocate

GREEN MEADOW WALDORF SCHOOL OF 1976