My Background
updated August 4, 2026

Recorded here is my own personal collection of articles, resources, favorite links, teaching ideas, and lesson plans. It encompasses many years, from the very beginning of my experience studying and learning about Waldorf and Waldorf-inspired resources 20+ years ago... to the present time.

This site records my journey. I hope my honesty is encouraging and helps break down some barriers that may prevent people from trying these practices. Because this is an ongoing site documenting my curriculum planning and ideas, please feel free to take what you like and leave the rest.

I got my B.A. from Smith College with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Early Childhood Education. While attending Smith, I was in the first group of student fellows at the Kahn Insitute and am proud to have been a part of its founding year. The topic that year was Exploring the Ecologies of Childhood, a perfect fit with my interest in the Philosophy of Childhood.

I graduated in 1999 with training in Reggio Emilia (working at Fort Hill with Cathy Weisman Topal and Lella Gandini) and holding a Massachusetts teaching certificate for preK-4.

I then taught in both private schools (as a teacher and preschool co-director on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico through AmeriCorps) and public as well as homeschooling my own young children.

When I returned to work, I became a teacher in a progressive school nearby and, in September 2009, I completed my Montessori training for Lower Elementary (ages 6-9).

In August 2013, I completed my M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from McDaniel College with a focus on Action Research in the classroom. The topic of my thesis was my development and assessment of a literature-based curriculum which taught history completely through story. I was then eligible for an Advanced Professional Certificate, the highest level of teaching certification in Maryland.

Beginning in May 2015, I returned to being a stay-at-home mom. With the birth of my fourth child, I was once again learning about and designing a home space for early childhood education. In 2016, I opened a microschool in my home, blending Montessori and Waldorf-inspired teaching ideas to create the mixed-age programming for Little Bluestem Homeschool Co-op. This group continued for 11 years.

In the summer of 2019, I was able to make a longstanding dream come true when I began my Applied Arts training at the Fiber Craft Studio in Chestnut Ridge NY. I was thrilled to join this wonderful group as part of Cycle 11. Learn more about this multi-year training here.

In 2020, I also completed an intensive yearlong puppetry training with Suzanne Down of Juniper Tree Puppets.

In 2021, I had two articles published in Waldorf journals; the links are to the left.

If you are a member of LinkedIn, feel free to view my profile: Renee Schwartz, Greater St. Louis Area.