Riddle of America, The - Waldorf Research Institute

I would like to mention the words given by our colleague, ChristophLindenberg, concerning the attitude of the teachers.1. Always, learning must become a joy. …2. Always, reflecting on oneself and seeing the results of one’s teachingin the students’ attitudes and in their papers.3. Have empathy towards each child’s happiness and sadness.4. Enjoy human contact so that the students can feel that they cantalk to this teacher about anything and he/she can listen and tell me whathe/she thinks.5. Not only study and prepare the materials with a professional attitude,but communicate clearly and create a picture that one can see.6. Bring out interest in the children without any pedagogical tricks;find the essence in the materials that brings out the interest and the wonderin the teacher himself or herself.7. Always be active, not cynical and backward. 14Art in the School LifeI was able to paint the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci on a classroomwall of Shining Mountain Waldorf High School. I started this projectduring the art history class for the ninth grade in 1995. A third of the studentspainted the simple things in black and white. When the block was over, Idid the rest. It took me over 1700 hours to create this mural. Since I considerthis painting my most favorite painting of the world, it was nothing but ajoy to do this. I have heard that Heinz Zimmerman had spoken about Leonardo’s“Last Supper” painting in relation to the collegial relationship in theWaldorf schools. It is interesting to note that after Jesus’ announcing of thebetrayal, the disciples start to fight among themselves trying to decide whois the greatest. “ … And there arose also a contention among them, whichof them was accounted to be greatest.” ( Luke 22:24)For this Jesus replies, “ But he that is the greater among you, let himbecome as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” (Luke22:26) 15 If we apply this to the Waldorf school, no one is greater than the otherunless he or she can serve the other. Each one of us is unique and different.We must share and make the best out of it.Back to the arts in the school. …There are many things that Steinersaid about the importance of the arts and the artistic in the Waldorf schools.I do believe that if Hitler had been admitted to the Fine Arts Academy in297