Mandarin at PWS

Portland Waldorf School has long committed to offering two world languages to our students, with a focus on culture, conversation and story in the early years, as children begin their journey with new languages. Steiner said that each language expresses a human element in a different way. For instance, one language might work on the will, whereas another might work on the thinking or feeling life. When children are exposed to multiple languages from a young age, they become more well-rounded and develop more fully as human beings and citizens of the world. 

After much study and discussion last Spring, the College of Teachers decided that the addition of Mandarin Chinese would enhance our rich curriculum and reflect our school community. We are so eager for our students to learn to speak, write and sing in Chinese - and learn about Chinese culture from a native speaker.

We are so excited to welcome our very own Amy Wen Burchfield as our Mandarin teacher in grades 1-4. Ms. Amy has been a beloved teacher in our early childhood classrooms for five years and she shares that she is excited to teach Mandarin at PWS, because she finds it “deeply fulfilling to share my culture with the whole community through food, creative activities, music and stories.”

Ms. Amy began working as a Waldorf teacher in China. When we asked about her experience there, she said:

I started my Waldorf journey together with a group of amazing teachers in China who were seeking a better education for children, and decided to establish their own school. My first year teaching there was when Chun Tong Waldorf School was just founded, in 2010. There were endless meetings, endless teacher education workshops, training either after school or during holidays. School hours were long, going from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM. My husband often teased me, “You left work in the dark and came home in the dark.” 

All the teachers worked so hard to adapt Waldorf Education to Chinese culture, finding and using suitable songs, games, arts and crafts from traditional Chinese culture and in celebrating the traditional festivals. We gave ourselves to the school and gained strength from each other. Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” 

I am so grateful for my teaching experiences in my school in China which provided me with a firm foundation in Waldorf education and helped me to understand what it takes to be a teacher.

I found the secrets of Waldorf education as a seed in China, and I get to witness how the seed blossoms in Oregon. Waldorf education is very mature here compared to China. Having been established for a long period of time, PWS has a number of well-established traditions. It is important to keep up with the traditions and stay innovative as well.

Enjoy your new role, Ms. Amy! We are so excited to learn and grow with you.