Staff Professional Learning with Lou Harvey-Zahra

This term, Orana was delighted to welcome Lou Harvey-Zahra to work with our Primary teaching staff as part of our ongoing commitment to professional learning and the deepening of Steiner pedagogy.

Lou is an experienced Steiner teacher, educator, author and presenter whose work explores child development, relationships, wellbeing and practical approaches to supporting children as they grow and learn. She has more than 30 years' teaching experience across Primary, Rudolf Steiner and special needs education, and regularly facilitates professional learning for teachers and schools. 

During the professional learning workshop, Lou introduced staff to ‘Jump Drawings’, working with Tree, Person and House drawings as a way of encouraging careful observation and developing a deeper understanding of children's needs. The session also explored practical classroom activities and approaches that teachers can draw upon to support children's development, wellbeing and sense of connection.

This work reflects an important aspect of Steiner education: meeting the developing child with attentiveness, curiosity and respect, and continually deepening our understanding of how children experience themselves, their relationships and their learning environment.

Professional learning such as this provides our teachers with opportunities to step back from the everyday rhythm of the classroom, reflect on their practice and consider new perspectives that can enrich their work with students.

Lou's approach also extends to supporting families. Her book, Happy Child, Happy Home: Conscious Parenting and Creative Discipline, explores practical approaches to family rhythms, play, storytelling, craft, nature and positive approaches to discipline, drawing on her Steiner-Waldorf background. A copy of the book is available for families to borrow from the Orana Library.

We warmly thank Lou for sharing her knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with our Primary staff, and for contributing to the ongoing professional learning that supports the work of our teachers and the children in their care.

Learn more about Lou via her website.