In May 2026 we welcomed Anne Lindhardt Kluge, a Waldorf teacher from Denmark, who spent two days visiting LiberSchool. She came to Damanhur to experience our community-based school and to find inspiration for a more sustainable way of teaching. At the end of her visit, she kindly shared her observations with us. We are pleased to publish them here with only light editing for readability.
First impressions
One of the first things I noticed was how happy and relaxed the teachers seemed at their job. I liked the fact that they took their time to sit down, drink coffee and eat together. It gave the school a homey feeling, and it seemed like a very pleasant work environment to be part of.
The warm and familiar relationship between students and teachers was also very visible. Hugs, jokes and laughter were often shared. The children seemed comfortable and safe, and during my stay I did not observe any fighting or major disagreements between them. I found this remarkable, because in my own work as a teacher in Denmark, preventing social conflicts and helping children resolve them takes up a significant part of everyday school life.
Learning together
The classes are relatively small, and sometimes different age groups learn together. I think this gives teachers more time to see and support each individual child. At the same time, it allows children to experience different group dynamics and to feel part of a larger community.
The lessons I observed were very interactive and inclusive. They felt more like conversations with the children than one-way teaching. From my perspective, it is important to remain aware of the balance, so that children do not take too much of the leadership or talking space.
The teachers all seemed passionate about their subjects, well prepared, and they clearly loved the children. To me, that is so important.
Nature as part of learning
I loved the natural outdoor area connected to the school. Although I did not see it being used during my short visit, I hope it is frequently part of school life. It seems like an ideal environment for outdoor education, exploration and teamwork activities.
Visiting the nursery
I also visited the nursery. It was a beautiful experience to see how patient and loving the teacher was with the children. I observed how she gave them the time to solve practical tasks themselves, such as putting on their sandals and shoes. This gives children a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their own abilities. The children were encouraged to be independent and to help both the teacher and one another.
I have never seen a group of two-and-a-half-year-olds who were so harmonious and peaceful. I felt that the children had all their needs met through the presence of calm and caring adults and their close connection with nature.
Questions that stayed with me
Like every educational visit between colleagues, my experience also raised a few questions.
I wondered whether the eating and toilet routine — where the two-and-a-half-year-olds and the babies from six months to two years are together — could perhaps run more smoothly. During my visit I experienced this moment as rather chaotic, which is understandable because many things happen at once: the children are hungry, they have different ages and needs, and there are several transitions between outdoor play, eating and going to the toilet.
I wondered whether it might be calmer for both the children and the teachers if the two age groups were separated during this part of the day. If the intention is to keep them together, I would consider a different structure. One possibility could be for one teacher to stay with the children, singing songs, doing rhythms or finger plays, while the other teachers take care of the practical tasks. In my experience, these activities help maintain a peaceful atmosphere while also supporting children’s fine motor development.
Final thoughts
All in all, I had a wonderful experience visiting LiberSchool and came away with a very positive impression not only of the school itself, but also of the surrounding community.
I wish LiberSchool all the very best for the future.
Anne Lindhardt Kluge
Waldorf teacher, Denmark