Teacher education began in Eugene in 1990 when six individuals working in the Eugene Waldorf School (EWS), as teachers or administrative staff, formed the first Foundation Year courses. That year, twenty nine students, largely from the parent body of EWS, enrolled. This confirmed the thought that a northwest institute was needed. The first Teacher Education Year followed immediately. Since then, the close relationship between EWS and WTEE has remained a cornerstone in the success of WTEE. Enrollment is normally between 20 and 30 students, in both courses combined. Presently, there are twelve faculty members, eleven of whom live in Eugene.
The program joined the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) in its seventh year of operation and is presently in the process of becoming a full member institute. The Foundation Year and the Teacher Education Year are offered separately, allowing transfers both into and out of WTEE. Each year culminates with a certificate of completion, which is accepted throughout the AWSNA schools and institutes.
WTEE was organized to meet the needs of working people, especially in the Foundation Year Studies program. Teacher Education students have gradually found it more difficult to work more than 15 hours per week regularly, as the program has expanded to nearly full-time. In addition to the course offerings of WTEE, there are opportunities to expand studies through the Arts Enrichment Project, which offers several classes throughout the year on an alternate schedule to that of WTEE.
The growth and development of the program has been and is envisioned to continue to be operable within the limits of the EWS facilities, and within its principle budgetary considerations and philosophy. The wish to make this education available in an affordable manner to working people with families remains constant in all of our decisions which impact finances. As such, all faculty are part-time, and are active in other aspects of Waldorf Education as part of their own livelihood.