Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

OWS — DEI Statement of Intent

"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together…" — Lilla Watson, Australian Aboriginal Elder, Activist, Educator

The Olympia Waldorf School is committed to creating a learning environment in which all people are seen, heard, valued, and honored. We strive for fair and equitable ground, united by compassion for our common humanity, as we seek to recognize and celebrate our diverse ways of being.

All cultures, races and ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions and spiritual practices, bodies, and learning styles are welcomed within our school community. At OWS, we value clear, open, direct and respectful communications in all aspects of our work.

We acknowledge and actively work to right the wrongs of conscious and unconscious bias, privilege, and oppression. We recognize that there exist anthroposophical writings, including some by Rudolf Steiner, that reflect discriminatory ideas. We specifically reject such statements as inconsistent with the basis of Waldorf education; they will not inform practices at our school.

AWSNA Statement for Diversity

Waldorf education espouses principles of respect for human dignity and recognizes that diversity, inclusivity and equity is a journey of both moral and educational importance.

We, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, recognize the history and ongoing impact of racism on our continent and in our institutions and we hold the dignity of life and the human being at the center of our work. Any speculations made by Rudolf Steiner that are in contradiction to this principle are not the basis for Waldorf education and we unequivocally denounce such statements.

Spoken Land Acknowledgment

Read aloud at the start of meetings and gatherings:

We would like to acknowledge that no matter where each of us are physically, we are on the traditional land of Native Americans, whose ancestors were the original inhabitants. As we proceed with our work, let's make sure that our deliberations and recommendations benefit their descendants equitably.

— Adapted from St. Martin's University Public Grounds