Coming of Age
STRIVING
My goal as an educator and facilitator is to present opportunities for human development on a path that leads to a more empathic, loving human experience in community. Community must include our living earth. The gatherings, trainings, workshops and celebrations I offer stimulate personal development and the building of community, be it between two human beings or a larger
intentional community. Collaboratively, we share experiences and successes to enable us, as adults, to be healthy models for others. This working together of the adults encourages a community in its striving to Come of Age in our modern materialistic culture and prepares us to support each other and our youth, who bring the FUTURE.
The education and experiences I provide flow out of a philosophy of human development. The following assertions apply to my philosophy: Every human being carries a specific destiny, purpose, and mission in life; there exists a spiritual world; Each human soul journeys through sequential life times to evolve its consciousness; The individual’s purpose in life is seeded in the spiritual world prior to each incarnation and unfolds within earth experience aided by free choice and free will.
NEW TRADITION
Traditionally, coming of age spoke of the human being crossing over from child to adult. There was no stage of development called puberty and adolescence. Today, in a complex society, an educated and prepared adult community must provide conscious guidance for each other and youth to build balanced individuals and social life through age appropriate experiences and education and celebration. Thus, Coming of Age encompasses a maturation process for adults, youth, family, the community and the culture in relationship with the earth and nature. My hope for future generations lives in the artistic and creative way we design and build a more harmonious and spirit acknowledged future.
PHILOSOPHY
The Program offerings in the adult entrichment and life celebrations web pages address the current themes in support of adults and youth. The education and experiences flow out of a philosophy of human development. The following assertions apply to my philosophy: every human being carries a specific destiny, purpose, and mission in life; there exists a spiritual world; each human soul journeys through sequential life times to evolve its consciousness; the individual’s purpose in life is seeded in the spiritual world prior to each incarnation and unfolds within earth experience aided by free choice and free will.
EXPERIENCE
Much of my experience comes from my role as both parent and teacher in Waldorf schools. The formal education in a Waldorf school embraces the human being as a social, emotional, physical and spiritual Being. The experience and curriculum in a Waldorf School meets many of the needs of a growing human being. My research and experience bears out the fact that socialization is a learned process. Self-understanding, gender and role identification, and interpersonal relationships need to be explored at the adult level in order to meet the needs of and nurture the child and others. The author believes that the adults in family/community can work consciously with their individual personal growth and the maturation of the community so that we are prepared to support the awakening children and develop healthy social relationships.
CONCLUSION
I am all about an entire community coming of age, not just our teens. A community coming of age encompasses education, social and personal growth and skill building. These are tasks which must be taken up by each segment of the community: youth, parent, teacher, and professional. Adults who take up this personal journey build Communities of the Heart.
 |