Alliance Annual Conference

The Power of Story: Igniting Community and Connection

January 17-19, 2025 - Ocean Charter School, Los Angeles

Plan to join us in Los Angeles in January for a not-to-be missed conference. Together, we will explore the universal power and importance of story: story to build community, to strengthen connections, to delight, and to heal. You asked us for inspiration, engagement, nourishment, and practical support. We are developing a different kind of conference that we promise will make a difference with each of these.

When: Friday, January 17 through Sunday, January 19. As you make travel arrangements, note that both Friday evening and Sunday morning will be essential parts – plan to be there for both. Consider coming early to visit Los Angeles-area Alliance and independent Waldorf schools.

Who: This conference is open to anyone working out of the creative impulse of Waldorf education – teachers, school leaders, support staff, parent partners….

What: Through presentations, story, song and games, workshops, discussion groups, artistic activities, and time to network and connect, we will explore the fundamental human activity of storytelling through 3 major perspectives: The storyteller's path: Exploring the narrative within. Sharing our stories: The power of stories to build bridges. Sharing our stories: The Seeds of Growing Community

Keynote Presenters:

We are truly delighted to introduce our two major keynote presenters:

Anjum Mir

For over 20 years, Anjum Mir has supported parents in establishing healthy home rhythms as a parent and child teacher and educational consultant. Her teaching experience has taken her from public and private schools to Waldorf Education, which she discovered while looking for an educational system that honored the development and spiritual well-being of her first child. A mother of four, she is currently School Co- coordinator at Westside Waldorf School in Los Angeles. She is on the board of WECAN and several other education-focused organizations and is involved in teacher education and training. She has worked intimately with over 500 families helping them facilitate space for children to unfold in their development. Anjum draws from her work with Pikler, Waldorf methods, meditation, non-violent communication, Positive Discipline, and her own spiritual path to support families and teachers.

https://waldorfearlychildhood.org/about-wecan/about-us/

Friday

7:00-7:15: Welcome and Conference Opening

7:15-7:30: Land Acknowledgement

7:30-8:45: Keynote Speakers: Anjum Mir & Baba the Storyteller: The storyteller's path: Exploring the narrative within.

8:45-9:15: Dessert Social

Baba the Storyteller

Baba has been a professional speaker since 1994 and is one of the few recognized U.S. born practitioners of the ancient West African storytelling craft known as Jaliyaa. He has received numerous awards over the years for his work as a folklorist, traditional harpist, storyteller, community activist and volunteer. Baba has presented in thousands of schools and other institutions all across the world, including Waldorf schools and conferences. He presents deep truths about being human and our ask as educators through engaged and engaging storytelling.

https://babathestoryteller.com/home/about-baba/

Schedule:

Virtual Conference Announcement

We’re excited to announce that a virtual conference option will be offered! Registration will open in early December, and full details will be available soon. Stay tuned for more information!