Walden Center & School

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the tragic passing of a beloved Walden community member. Maura Ghizzoni was a kind soul, an artist, a midwife, a mother, and grandmother. Her loving partner Danny and her granddaughter Gusty are in need of our community's support during this very difficult time. Please give what you can and share with anyone whose heart Maura touched.

In Memory of Maura Ghizzoni, organized by Winona Alexaner Hello, My name is Winona Alexander. As part of the Walden community I have witness… Winona Alexaner needs your support for In Memory of Maura Ghizzoni

It's the first day of school and we're SO READY to welcome you back. HELLOOOOOO WALDEN!

It was so lovely seeing so many new and familiar faces today as we welcomed the Lower Group and their families. Our Lower Groupers got the whole campus to themselves to settle in and explore while their families enjoyed coffee and conversation at a nearby cafe. Join us in extending a warm Walden welcome to our newest community members. We can’t wait to get to know you!

The 2023 Upper Group Variety Show: No Place Like Home was a great success! Our Upper Groupers impressed us all with an afternoon of comedy, theatre, dance, and musical performances. Bravo to the Upper Group!

Today the Vietnamese Student Association from UC Berkeley visited Walden Center & School to perform the Lion Dance to celebrate the end of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. What a treat!

It's today!!! Join us for the return of the Walden Spring Fair! Games, raffle, entertainment, cafe, cold drinks, BBQ, plant sale, book room, and the CAKE WALK!

Magical Wonderland: May 20 10am - 3pm, 2446 McKinley Ave, Berkeley

Join us for the return of the Walden Spring Fair! Games, raffle, entertainment, cafe, cold drinks, BBQ, plant sale, book room, and the CAKE WALK!

Magical Wonderland: May 20 10am - 3pm, 2446 McKinley Ave, Berkeley

There's still time to place your bid! Click over to our online auction, then we'll see you LIVE at the Gala on Saturday night! www.32auctions.com/waldenredux23

There's still time to place your bid! Check out the online auction now and we'll see you at the Gala on Saturday night!

Walden Gala Redux 2023 Silent auction 'Walden Gala Redux 2023' hosted online at 32auctions.

Walden Summer Camp Registration is now open! Use the QR code to register or check out or website to learn more!

https://waldencenterschool.org/childcare/summer-camp/

Today's Civil Rights Assembly featured a lesson in distinguishing "fair "from "unfair" practices by the Middle Group, an inspirational video about the music of the Civil Rights Movement, a fantastic round of "This Little Light of Mine," an introduction to several activists from the Upper Group and a protest demonstration by the Lower Group!

Thanks to teachers Jeff and Andrew for organizing, to all of our students, teachers, and staff for participating, and to all our wonderful families showing up to watch and join in!

Don't miss our on campus tours!

TOUR: January 11, 2023, 9:45am - 10:45am
INFO SESSION: January 14, 2023, 1-2pm

Admission Info: https://linktr.ee/waldenadmissions
Our Website: https://waldencenterschool.org

Integrating arts and academics since 1958. Here at Walden you'll end child-centered education at its best. Our approach to teaching makes learning a multi sensory, joyful, and lasting experience.

@waldenadmissions | Linktree Here you’ll find information about child-centered education at its best.

Put on your raincoat, grab a mask, and come out to the Winter Frolic! We've moved our events indoors so we can still enjoy crafts, food, and delicious beverages together!

Join us for the return of The Winter Frolic! Saturday, December 10, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

This is an afternoon where families come and make various crafts to take home. We have food (latkes!) and drinks for sale. The event is mostly outside, and if inside, the doors will be wide open, fans and filters running. So…Dress warmly.

Walden is enrolling for the 2023-24 school year. Visit www.waldencenterschool.org for admissions info, weekday and weekend tours, and more.

Today is - help support Walden by making your donation to the Walden Annual Giving Fund today.

Walden Annual Giving Fund: https://givingtools.com/give/657/397

Learn more about Giving at Walden: https://waldencenterschool.org/giving/

Walden students become engaged, passionate, and creative adults who change the world. Help us make that happen! Making a donation to Walden helps ensure that our learning community has the diversity, excellent teachers, and innovative curriculum that educational excellence depends upon. Our teachers have been leading the way for more than fifty years.

Join us for the return of The Winter Frolic! Saturday, December 10, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

This is an afternoon where families come and make various crafts to take home. We have food (latkes!) and drinks for sale. The event is mostly outside, and if inside, the doors will be wide open, fans and filters running. So…Dress warmly.

We are looking for flexible, caring, attentive teachers who are ready to step into the classroom when our teachers need to be away from the classroom. We are teaching in-person so you will be asked to follow strict safety protocols in compliance with guidelines from the city, county, and state.

Walden Center and School is a leader in progressive elementary education and collective administration. Our school has a rich history of teaching creative minds and alternative thinkers over the last 60 years, with a strong commitment to a fully-integrated arts curriculum. All of our students have Spanish, Music, Drama, and Visual Art with specialists twice weekly. Here you’ll find child-centered education at its best. Our approach to teaching makes learning a multisensory, joyful, and lasting experience. We cultivate a diverse community of learners, families, and teachers to create a secure and textured learning environment. Walden students love to go to school. We are a school run by a collective. Decision making is consensus-based. We are a small school with big ideas and a big heart where children love to learn and teachers love to teach.

We are seeking substitute teachers to join our substitute pool. We are looking for people who have familiarity with whole-child education encompassing academic, social-emotional, and physical development, and who love teaching children.

Our teachers integrate arts and play-based learning in their lessons, in a hands-on, meaningful way. Walden teachers practice flexibility, openness, and keen observation to fully engage students and support their joy of learning. We believe that this approach honors different learning styles and life experiences. We utilize a variety of assessment tools to inform our teaching, and do not administer formal tests or give grades.

Responsibilities include:

Following lesson plans
Preparing educational materials
Communicating with classroom teacher
Qualifications:

Experience working with children at the elementary level K-6 grade
Ability to maintain safety protocol for COVID-19
Experience supporting diverse learning profiles
Strong classroom community-building/management skills
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
Flexibility
Preferred

California Multiple-Subjects Credential
Responsive Classroom experience
Experience teaching lower elementary grades
Compensation:

This is a regular part-time hourly position.
$110 with paid lunch break for a half day and $220 with paid lunch break for a full day

Please send a resume and cover letter addressing your philosophy of education to hiring "at" waldencentershool dot com and add “Substitute Teacher” to the subject line.

We are seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic music teacher who has experience with whole-child education encompassing academic, social, emotional, and physical development, and who loves teaching children. If you have a vision of building a close-knit community, of working with kids, parents, and a small committed team of teachers, this may be the engaging, invigorating, satisfying job you are looking for.

Walden Center and School is a leader in progressive elementary education and collective administration. Our school has a rich history of teaching creative minds and alternative thinkers over the last 60 years, with a strong commitment to a fully-integrated arts curriculum. All of our students have Spanish, Music, Drama, and Visual Art with specialists twice weekly. Here you’ll find child-centered education at its best. Our approach to teaching makes learning a multisensory, joyful, and lasting experience. We cultivate a diverse community of learners, families, and teachers to create a secure and textured learning environment. Walden students love to go to school. We are a school run by a collective. Decision-making is consensus-based. We are a small school with big ideas and a big heart where children love to learn and teachers love to teach.

In addition to classroom teaching, the music teacher will become part of our teaching collective. This means helping to run our school by way of weekly staff meetings, committee work, and other administrative duties with a focus on process as well as performance.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position is for teaching music to children grades K-6 in mixed-grade classes. The music teacher will develop and implement a supportive classroom culture and robust curriculum that makes learning music fun, that inspires children to create music that they feel proud of, and to develop a love of music. Walden teachers practice flexibility, openness, and keen observation to fully engage students and support their joy of learning and cultural awareness. We believe that this approach honors different learning styles and life experiences. We utilize a variety of assessment tools to inform our teaching, and do not administer formal tests or give grades.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

-Create an engaging and age-appropriate, multi-sensory music program.
-Communicate effectively about student progress and behavior with other staff as requested.
-Attend and support assemblies and events.
-Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings.
-Participate in administrative responsibilities to run the school.

QUALIFICATIONS:

-Bachelor’s or equivalent degree (Music education degree preferred)
-3+ years experience teaching general music at the elementary level
-Ability to design an inspiring, child-centered, and developmentally appropriate music curriculum
-Ability and interest in teaching and developing an appreciation for music from a variety of cultural traditions
-Ability to create lessons that incorporate anti-bias approaches and philosophy
-Ability to adapt instruction to meet the needs of students with diverse learning profiles
-Appreciation of developmental differences across age levels
Experience and skills with working in a collaborative environment
-Ability to interact positively within a diverse community of students, parents, and teachers
-Strong classroom management skills
-Excellent communication skills

DESIRED:

-Elementary Teaching Credential
-Responsive Classroom training
-Some knowledge of Orff Schulwerk approach
-Experience and skills in school or small business administration

COMPENSATION:

-This is a salaried position.
-Teaching days 3 days a week, 8:45-3:15, with additional administrative and collaborative meeting time each week.
-3 days a week
-$47,524 /year
-Medical, Dental & Vision

Please send a resume and cover letter addressing your philosophy of education to [Email hidden] and add “Music Hiring” to the subject line.

Shop for toys and raise money for Walden! Five Little Monkeys is excited to give back and support Walden through the Five Little Monkeys Give Back Program.

WHEN: November 1 – 15
WHERE: ONLINE www.5littlemonkeys.com
IN STORE: www.5littlemonkeys.com/page/locations-and-hours
CODE: WALDEN2022

Our code is WALDEN2022 and when applied to online purchases made between November 1-15, 2022, Five Little Monkeys will donate 15% of the pre-tax total back to Walden, as long as the code is used at least 3 times or the subtotal for your organization is at least $200 during the promotional period (11/1-11/15/2022)

PLEASE SHARE! The success of this fundraiser relies on kids, parents and our community sharing our unique code widely among family and friends.

Take advantage of free delivery over $50 within CA, free in-store pick-up, and free shipping on all deliveries outside of CA over $100. Five Little Monkeys offers free gift wrapping and a unique selection of the best educational toys, games and books for children.

Dear Walden Community,

We are sad to announce that we have to postpone our gala due to an influx of positive COVID cases. The gala will be held on March 18, 2023 at the same location. If you purchased tickets, you will receive a voucher for the postponed event. We apologize for the last minute notice and are grateful for those who donate items, their time, and priceless skills.

Thank you,
Gala Committee
Debra, Winona, Sarah R

Walden is now enrolling for the 2023-24 school year. Visit www.waldencenterschool.org for admissions info, weekday and weekend tours, and more.

The Upper Group Camping Trip is back and currently in progress! Complete with skits, hikes, creek walks, making meals, a camp fire, and SO MUCH FUN!!!

OCTOBER FUNDRAISER: GoldenBug Gives
10% to Walden. Every time you shop in October 2022.

GoldenBug is thrilled to announce the GoldenBug Gives school fundraiser for the whole month of October, 2022!

You can use Walden’s Promo Code, WALD2022, in-store OR online.

Each purchase made with this code during the month of October will earn our school 10% of the pre-tax total. The more you purchase with our school’s Promo Code, the more money our school will raise! So share our Promo Code widely amongst your friends and family. Don’t forget to think ahead for birthdays, baby gifts, holiday gifts, etc. The more you share, the more GoldenBug Gives!

Our school must use our Promo Code at least 5 times OR purchases must total at least $200 during the month of October to be eligible for the fundraiser.

GO TO: www.goldenbugkids.com or shop at their two locations:

GoldenBug Kids (apparel and gifts)
1803 4th Street, Berkeley,

GoldenBug Children’s Shoes
5509 College Ave, Oakland

USE CODE: WALD2022 online or in-store.

The first day of school comes with excitement, promise, and so much energy! Our students bounded onto campus this morning, welcomed by teachers, staff, and friends. Families escorted their kids to their classrooms, lingered for one more wave goodbye, then chatted on the sidewalk as the 2022-23 school year began.

Welcome! We’re ready! Can’t wait to see your shining faces!

Welcome Lower Group! The Wednesday before the first Thursday of school, our Lower Group (Kindergarten) students get the campus all to themselves! This gives them an opportunity to explore and feel confident before the “big kids” arrive. Meanwhile, anxious parents ease their worries and begin building community over coffee and pastries while chatting with Walden administrators, teachers, former and new families.

Last week, Claudine Swickard led Walden in thanking three of our beloved Walden teachers for their years of teaching, guidance, and love. Please join us in wishing them a fond farewell and so much happiness in their future endeavors.

Publishing Claudine’s words here, with her permission:

Julian
Walden wants to honor you for all you have done over the years for our school and community! I have enjoyed working with you so much over the years. You are responsive and flexible in the way you teach, and with your interactions with colleagues. You always answer my emails and texts! I find your smile contagious and I am grateful when we can see you unmasked! I hope your band continues to show up at our Walden Events!

Susana
Oh my goodness, Susana’s students will miss her so much! I believe they will grieve. The art projects she creates for all of her different groups are imaginative and inviting. I am always amazed. Susana brings a lot of “WOW FACTOR” to her students. I’m so glad the office is right next to the Art Room! (AKA my favorite room at Walden). As a parent, my walls at home are a gallery of the masterpieces she has led my kids to create. Susana is also very generous sharing her art project ideas with me and has given me insight on how to invite children to take risks and add more to their art. This is no small thing!

Cristin
Where do I start?! Cristin and I have known each other for 25 years, which is when I came to Walden (Cristin has been here longer!) Cristin has taught both my kids (she knew them as infants!) Her son, Galen, was my “practice baby” born one year ahead of my first-born. Her virtues! Her talents! Are endless! Cristin is an inspiring teacher; she deeply and truly cares about her students and their families. It is great to be on committees with her, because she helps get things done (She IS NOT a slacker!) Cristin is impressively articulate. She puts sentences together with grace and intelligence. And she is wicked smart, and a quick thinker. Cristin continuously impresses me. One of my favorite things about Cristin, as a colleague and a friend, is her razor sharp wit.

We can't wait to see you all at the Walden Block Party today from 11-4pm! Stop by for games, live music, amazing raffle baskets, food and beverages, alumni and current families, teachers, friends, neighbors and all the Walden community!

LIVE MUSIC LINE UP:
11am: BEBE (Brazil East Bay Ensemble) Brazilian and wonderful! Quintet.
1pm: Rob Reich and friends. Rob is an acclaimed composer and musical director of Circus Bella. Today, he will be joined by a fantastic juggler.
2:30pm: Carla K quartet featuring Jules Broussard. Straight-ahead jazz from local musical giants!

Today we banged the drum on the 2021-22 school year! Signifying a year of accomplishments and the step up to the next year, each student bangs the drum before receiving their certificate and flower. Then pictures, goodbye hugs, and so much celebration!

Hey hey hey….it’s Flying Up Day! That special day when Walden students step up to their next classroom group, discuss their interests and what they’d like to study next year. And in their own classrooms, a day to reflect on how far they’ve each come over the year.

Walden is thrilled to announce the launch of our newly re-designed website including photography and video giving viewers an inside look at the magical experience that is Walden Center and School.

Head over to www.waldencenterschool.org and check it out! Check back frequently for event notifications, calendar information, news, and more!

Walden Center and School – Arts and Academics Since 1958 Welcome to Walden! Here you’ll find child-centered K-6 education at its best. Our approach to teaching makes learning a multisensory, joyful, and lasting experience. We cultivate a diverse community of learners, families, and teachers to create a secure and textured learning environment. Walden st...

We are seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic music teacher who has experience with whole-child education encompassing academic, social, emotional, and physical development, and who loves teaching children. If you have a vision of building a close-knit community, of working with kids, parents, and a small committed team of teachers, this may be the engaging, invigorating, satisfying job you are looking for. This position begins in August 2022.

Walden Center and School is a leader in progressive elementary education and collective administration. Our school has a rich history of teaching creative minds and alternative thinkers over the last 60 years, with a strong commitment to a fully-integrated arts curriculum. All of our students have Spanish, Music, Drama, and Visual Art with specialists twice weekly. Here you’ll find child-centered education at its best. Our approach to teaching makes learning a multisensory, joyful, and lasting experience. We cultivate a diverse community of learners, families, and teachers to create a secure and textured learning environment. Walden students love to go to school. We are a school run by a collective. Decision-making is consensus-based. We are a small school with big ideas and a big heart where children love to learn and teachers love to teach.

In addition to classroom teaching, the (music teacher) will become part of our teaching collective. This means helping to run our school by way of weekly staff meetings, committee work, and other administrative duties with a focus on process as well as performance.
For more information about Walden Center and School:
https://www.waldencenterschool.org

JOB DESCRIPTION:
This position is for teaching music to children grades K-6 in mixed-grade classes. The music teacher will develop and implement a supportive classroom culture and robust curriculum that makes learning music fun, that inspires children to create music that they feel proud of, and develop a love of music. Walden teachers practice flexibility, openness, and keen observation to fully engage students and support their joy of learning and cultural awareness. We believe that this approach honors different learning styles and life experiences. We utilize a variety of assessment tools to inform our teaching, and do not administer formal tests or give grades.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Create an engaging and age-appropriate, multi-sensory music program.
Communicate effectively about student progress and behavior with other staff as
requested.
Attend and support assemblies.
Attend weekly staff meetings.
Participate in weekly arts leadership meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s or equivalent degree (Music education degree preferred)
3+ years experience teaching general music at the elementary level
Ability to design an inspiring, child-centered, and developmentally appropriate music curriculum
Ability and interest in teaching and developing an appreciation for music from a variety of cultural traditions
Ability to create lessons that incorporate anti-bias approaches
Ability to adapt instruction to meet the needs of students with diverse learning profiles
Appreciation of developmental differences across age levels
Experience and skills with working in a collaborative environment
Ability to interact positively within a diverse community of students, parents, and teachers
Strong classroom management skills
Excellent communication skills
DESIRED:
Elementary Teaching Credential
Responsive Classroom training
Some knowledge of Orff Schulwerk approach
Experience and skills in school or small business administration
COMPENSATION:

This is a salaried position. Teaching days 3 days a week, 8:45-3:15, with additional administrative and collaborative meeting time each week.
3 days a week
Roughly $45,000.00, salary for the school year
Medical, Dental & Vision
Collective member possibility for year 3

Please send a resume and cover letter addressing your philosophy of education to [Email hidden] and add “Music Hiring” to the subject line.

Walden Center and School seeks a dynamic art teacher to join our teaching collective in the fall of 2022. Our K-6 school has a rich history of teaching creative minds for over 60 Years, with a strong commitment to arts education and a variety of art media experience. All of our students have art, music, drama twice weekly in small groups (8 – 15 students). We have an enthusiastic school community that loves coming together to share creative energy.

We are looking for someone who does not want to teach by the book – someone who has the passion, energy, and mindset to inspire children to create art that they feel proud of. In addition to classroom teaching, the art teacher will become part of our teaching collective. This means helping to run our school by way of weekly three-hour staff meetings, committee work, and other administrative duties.

If you are looking for a traditional top-down, punch-clock system, this isn’t it. On the other hand, if you have a vision for working with kids, parents, and a small, committed team of teachers, this may be the engaging, invigorating, satisfying job you are looking for.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
This position is (.60) of a fulltime position, equivalent to 3 teaching days a week.
Benefits: Medical, Dental & Vision.
This is a salaried position

Responsibilities include:
• Create, plan and teach art lessons for K-6 grade
• Create an engaging and age-appropriate, multi-sensory program
• Communicate effectively about student learning and behavior with students’ other teachers.
• Meet with mentor
• Meet weekly for staff meeting from 3-6 pm
• Attend and support administrative committees, community events and assemblies

Qualifications:
• 3 years of experience teaching Art at the elementary level
• BA in Art or Education or equivalent
• Ability to design an inspiring, child-centered, and developmentally appropriate art curriculum
• Experience creating a positive classroom culture and safe space for expression.
• Experience supporting diverse learning profiles through different media projects.
• Ability to adapt instruction to meet the needs of students in a multi-grade setting
• Strong classroom community-building/management skills
• Experience with and enjoys working in a collaborative environment
• Flexibility in problem-solving classroom and administrative issues
• Ability to work within a diverse community of students, parents, and teachers
• Commitment to participate in collectively administering the school using a consensus model
• Excellent communication skills

Desired:
• 3+ years of experience teaching Art at the elementary level
• Experience and skills in school or small business administration

Walden Center and School:
Walden Center and School is a leader in progressive elementary education and collective administration. Our school has a rich history of teaching creative minds and alternative thinkers over the last 60 years, with a strong commitment to a fully-integrated arts curriculum. All of our students have Spanish, Music, Drama, and Visual Art with specialists twice weekly. Here you’ll find child-centered education at its best. Our approach to teaching makes learning a multisensory, joyful, and lasting experience. We cultivate a diverse community of learners, families, and teachers to create a secure and textured learning environment. Walden students love to go to school. We are a school run by a collective. Decision making is consensus-based. We are a small school with big ideas and a big heart where children love to learn and teachers love to teach. If you have a vision of building a close-knit community, of working closely with kids, parents, and a small committed team of teachers, this may be the engaging, invigorating, satisfying job you are looking for.

Position:
We are seeking a Grade 2-3 Math and Science teacher to start in Fall 2022, someone who has experience with whole-child education encompassing academic, social, emotional, and physical development, and who loves teaching children.

Description:
This position is a co-teaching position, teaching Math and Science to children grades 2-3 in mixed-grade classes using a self-developed curriculum in close collaboration with the Grade 2-3 Language Arts/Social Studies teacher. Our teachers integrate arts and play-based learning in their lessons, in a hands-on, meaningful way. Walden teachers practice flexibility, openness, and keen observation to fully engage students and support their joy of learning. We believe that this approach honors different learning styles and life experiences. We utilize a variety of assessment tools to inform our teaching, and do not administer formal tests or give grades. In addition to classroom teaching, the Grade 2-3 teacher will become part of our teaching collective. This means helping to run our school by way of weekly staff meetings, committee work, and other administrative duties with a focus on process as well as performance.

Responsibilities include:
-Plan and teach lessons to 2nd-3rd mixed-grade classes
-Create an engaging and age-appropriate, multi-sensory program
-Communicate effectively about student learning and behavior with students’ other teachers
-Contribute to weekly notes home regarding curriculum, special events, and classroom needs
-Attend parent teacher conferences in the Fall and Spring and as needed throughout the year
-Meet with mentors once a week for the first 2 years
-Meet weekly for staff meeting from 3-6 pm
-Attend and support community events and assemblies

Qualifications:
-2 years experience teaching at the elementary level
-California Multiple-Subjects Credential
-Experience with creating grade level math and science curricula
-Experience creating a positive classroom culture and implementing a SEL program
-Experience supporting diverse learning profiles
-A deep knowledge of child development and constructivism
-Experience with activity-based, hands-on learning
-Ability to design child-centered, and developmentally appropriate multi-sensory curriculum
-Experience planning and implementing an integrated academic unit
-Ability to adapt instruction to meet the needs of students in a multi-grade setting
-Familiarity with social-emotional learning curricula and/or anti-bullying programs
-Ability and willingness to create lessons that incorporate anti-bias approaches
-Ability and desire to build a classroom community
-Strong classroom community-building/management skills
-Experience with and enjoys working in a collaborative environment
-Flexibility in problem-solving classroom and administrative issues
-Ability to work within a diverse community of students, parents, and teachers
-Commitment to participate in collectively administering the school using a consensus model
-Excellent communication skills

Preferred:
-3+ years experience teaching at the elementary level
-Responsive Classroom experience
-Experience teaching 2nd-3rd grade
-Experience or interest in gardening with children
-Familiarity with Making Math Real Curriculum

Compensation:
This position is (.70) of a full time position. This is equivalent to 3.5 teaching days.

Competitive Salary and Benefits.

For more information about Walden, see our website: www.waldencenterschool.org.

Please send a resume and cover letter addressing your philosophy of education to [email protected] and add "Gr 2-3 Teacher Hiring" to the subject line.