Dan Dugan at San Francisco School Board

Dan Dugan, Secretary of PLANS, Inc., speaks to the trustees of the San Francisco Unified School District about a proposed Waldorf school.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• anthroposophy
• cults
• education
• k-12
• steiner
• waldorf

[waldorfcritics]

1) Waldorf education is based on Steiner's theory of child development, which is based on religious concepts like reincarnation. Nothing that has been learned since 1925 has affected it.

2) Waldorf teacher training doesn't select for teaching ability. Waldorf schools hire on the basis of devotion to the movement, not teaching ability.

[waldorfcritics]

A good place for this discussion would be on the waldorf-critics Yahoo discussion list.

[waldorfcritics]

ChloeKasha, perhaps you are confusing the private San Francisco Waldorf School, where once upon a time I was an active parent, with the proposed public charter Waldorf school, Escuela del Pueblo de San Francisco.

[Mercuryrules]

Mr Dugan's basic attitude is betrayed by his uncertain and hesisitant speaking style. He "umms" and "ahhs" his way along.

This man is smart enough to know that what he is essentially saying about Waldorf/Anthroposophy is a substantial lie, this is what makes it so difficult for him.

One would wish that a man of his age would find something more dignifying to do with his time.

[waldorfcritics]

Seeing this video will make me a better speaker. I agree there are too many umms and aahs, and I look at my notes too much.

I've been studying Waldorf for twenty years, and I'm telling the truth.

[bigfishvideos]

Hey Dan,

Do you believe in God?

[annonaeo]

He doesnt say what about Anthroposophy scares him. Also, the Waldorf Schools are very careful to be non-denominational.

Surely, parents wishing to send their children to a Waldorf School would do some sensible investigation first. Freedom of choice is always good.

[NunyaDammeBiznis]

@Mercuryrules he tells the truth. Waldorf schools teach such crap as the heart doesn't pump blood. The blood moves about the body of its own free will. They also teach racist ideals.

[msenkpiel]

Only one of your statements applies to my Waldorf school. 1. Waldorf education is based on Steiner’s insights into the natural development of humans 2. Reincarnation would only be taught as one belief held by millions of people 3. Our curriculum is always evolving as with any healthy system 4. Words like “devotion” and “movement” are misleading and inaccurate and do not apply when hiring teachers for our school. That reincarnation is a concept held only by organized religion is also inaccurate.

[msenkpiel]

I understand that Mr. Dugan was cut short on his comments, so I am wondering if he can give details and/or examples of how Waldorf Education and its teachers are "incompetent".

[dandugan1]

@Spirit1Love, you wrote,

"I don't feel it's a secret cult or anything."

If you trust your feelings more than doing research about an important decision, Waldorf is for you.

"We need more choices in the public school system. The old system is just not working and I won't put my child in traditional public school."

That may be true in some cases, but it's a mistake as a categorical statement. Many public schools are much better than many Waldorf schools.

-Dan

[Spirit1Love]

I would be proud to have my child attend a Waldorf style program. I see nothing wrong with it. It's a choice. I don't feel it's a secret cult or anything. We need more choices in the public school system. The old system is just not working and I won't put my child in traditional public school.

[dandugan1]

"biodynamichawaii," you're parroting the party line. In the real world, "Anthroposophy" means the cult-like religious sect that follows Rudolf Steiner.

[biodynamichawaii]

Dan you lost, your argument is lacking. You have too much time on your hands. Anthropos= HUMAN, Sophia= WISDOM Anthroposophy means The Wisdom of our Humanity.

[scrobin81]

I say good for Dan. He's right.