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LifeWays Fundamentals
Chicago, IL
July 24-28, 2026
Held at Da Vinci Waldorf School
We must reach a 14 person minimum for the Retreat to proceed. Minimum enrollment must be reached by June 12.
Reach out to the Student Services Coordinator of your location to let them know you have enrolled, or are in the process of enrolling, and they can assist you with any questions that arise.
Student Services Coordinator
Name: Sarah Canga
lead teacher for the Apple Blossom Garden in Early Childhood at Divinci Waldorf School
Email: scanga@davinciwaldorf.org
I have a masters degree in Oriental Medicine and a bachelor's degree in Nutrition as well as certificates in Massage Therapy and Yoga teacher training.
Before having children I taught at College of Lake County, Oakton Community College and National University of Health Sciences as well as having a private practice offering holistic health care: acupuncture, herbal medicine and therapeutic bodywork. I also have 3 children who are my greatest teachers!
What attracted me most to Waldorf education was the beauty, reverence, time outdoors, and how the curriculum meets the children exactly where they are developmentally. I wanted my children to love to learn, to be critical thinkers/problem solvers and be compassionate, well rounded people.
I love walking the halls of Da Vinci Waldorf School and seeing so many smiling faces everyday. The dedication of the faculty and staff pushes me to be a better teacher and human being. I love how deeply the teachers know the students and how truly seen the children are. I hope that all children keep with them their sense of wonder and curiosity.
In my free time, I love to garden and pull weeds and take care of our chickens with my children. I can often be found in the evenings with a mug of tea and yarn on my knitting needles. I also love to bake and cook and recently took up ballet.
Lead Pedagogue
Acacia Moore
Acacia is the Executive Director of LifeWays and serves as Director for In-Person and Online Programs. She has been devoted to the mission of LifeWays for many years as an educator and mother of three sons. Alongside her role with LifeWays, she is co-founder and teacher at the City of Fountains School, established 2011 as Kansas City’s first school inspired by Waldorf education. She completed her Curative Educators training with the Mulberry Center for Curative Education in 2024, her own LifeWays Certificate training in 2016, and her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education with a focus on Early Childhood in 2003.
Acacia is passionate about partnering with families and educators to build support systems for children that honor their natural, individual development as spiritual human beings. She is tremendously grateful to be serving the LifeWays community with this very mission.
Guest Teacher
Christine Culbert
Christine Culbert completed her Waldorf teacher training in 1977. Since then she has had the great fortune of working for many years at the Chicago Waldorf School as a Parent-Child teacher and lead teacher in the Bluebells mixed age kindergarten. She was also on the faculty of the Arcturus teacher training in Chicago, (now Waldorf Teacher Institute), and served as coordinator of the Early Childhood Teacher Training Program for three years. Her love of handwork has been a golden thread running throughout her life as a mother of two daughters and as an early childhood educator of children and adults.
In recent years, Christine developed a handwork studio in her home called The Moon Sees Me Studio. She loves to create Waldorf inspired toys, seasonal table friends, and table puppets for use in storytelling and puppetry. Her work can be seen on instagram @themoonseesmestudio. Her passion is to share the joy of handwork with others
Fundamentals Retreat Admissions and Fees
How to Apply
The following steps must be completed before considering yourself fully accepted to and ready to attend our in person retreat:
1. Fill out the online application and pay the $100 Application fee
2. Complete the Payment Plan Form and Contract
3. After application, fill out a Financial Assistance form if tuition support is needed (provided after application).
4. Reach out to the Student Services Coordinator of your location to let them know you have enrolled, or are in the process of enrolling, and they can assist you with any questions that arise.
If you are in need of downloadable forms to mail into LifeWays, please email Julie at administrator@lifewaysnorthamerica.net
**Please see the Discounts section for guidelines and requirements for receiving the Early Enrollment discount, Representative Sites discount or Fundamentals Retreat discount.
Our goal is to do all we can to make it possible for you to take this training, while at the same time being respectful and responsible to the needs of our organization. We want more children and families to experience the simplicity, grace and joy in life that the LifeWays training encourages. We look forward to working with you!