Eight years ago I wasn't in a very good place. My spirit was broken as I tried to justify staying at a job that made me utterly miserable in every way. There was *some* light as I also taught geology courses at a local university 2 nights a week. Those 4 hours a week were a blessing in disguise as I felt a shift away from a place of bleakness and depression to one of true purpose and excitement. And it hit me: maybe I was supposed to be teaching my passion (geology/earth science); but how do I even start to make that transition? It was as if the fates heard me, as on a particularly bad summer day in 2015 when I was mired in my thoughts, I received a text from a former classmate of mine from CSULB. She asked if I was still interested in teaching, and that she was leaving her position at a local high school and wanted to leave it in good hands. High school? I questioned...could I do...high school?! I envisioned myself in the college realm as the high school students of the 2000s are VERY different from when I was a high school student. She assured me that this high school was a very special and different place; to come check it out. I took the leap and was hired but a few weeks later at Pasadena Waldorf School. And I have **ZERO** regrets. I felt every cog slip into its rightful place and a sense of purpose flooded my being. I am SO beyond blessed to work where I do that it's almost impossible to explain. The whole school is truly infused with magic and I am SO full of gratitude to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. My colleagues and students inspire me on a daily basis. Working within the Waldorf pedagogy for eight years now I have witnessed countless times how its entire mission has manifested itself within our students. I have become a sponge, soaking in the aspects of the why and how of what we do to meet the children throughout all phases of their development. We foster wonder and curiosity in our students; help them become a whole human being as they enter into the world. I have taken every opportunity to learn about the pedagogy as well as anthroposophy through collaborative work with my colleagues and various professional development programs. Starting at the beginning of this year I felt a strong desire to really immerse myself in these teachings and pursue my certification as a Waldorf science high school teacher. Just as the fates heard my call 8 years ago, I felt a strong internal pull that I was mentally, physically, and spiritually ready to embark on this task. With all the nervousness experienced by my current high school seniors applying to their various colleges, I applied to the Sunbridge High School teacher training program and I was accepted! The three-year program spans 3 summers away at Sunbridge in New York State, an online component, and various practicums. I was awarded a small scholarship and my school graciously helped out with what they could. There is still a significant out of pocket expense with most of it lying in the costs for boarding/lodging, books, transportation, and food. If you know me, I am so stubbornly reticent to ask for any help. This will be put to nothing but the BEST of uses and any little bit will be appreciated beyond measure. I promise you with every ounce of my soul I will absorb every aspect of this program as I continue to grow and be the very BEST teacher I can for my students; ultimately I do this all for them and to honor Pasadena Waldorf School. I thank you form the bottom of my heart! Angela Sunbridge Class of 2025
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