We are Ak Lu'um
At Ak Lu’um we know that homeschooling and schooling (the child's second home) is the key to change. If we wish to live harmoniously and without causing further destruction, the need for fundamental change is evident. This is our Waldorf philosophy: an innovative curriculum and a way of working rooted in a deep understanding of the human being, strengthening the connection between the rhythms of nature and the faculties that distinguish us as human beings.
Our education combines strong values with the capacity for wonder of the world around us, communicates with the emerging personality of children and endows them with imagination, flexibility and internal strength to face the changing outside world.
Our goal is to create and enrich:
Our goal is to create and enrich a Waldorf school and community, which integrates children from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds and where teachers, students and parents can support and educate each other.
A quality, non-profit school that opens its doors to children of different learning abilities, educating their head, heart and hands.
A self-sustaining school where all members of the community can learn and develop ecological strategies for the future.
We encourage openness of heart, mind and spirit in a multicultural environment. We seek to harvest the seeds of positive, ethical, independent and compassionate life attitudes.
These attitudes require teachers and parents who are prepared, talented and experienced in the world, committed to changing the world.
In our community we work to achieve:
* Clear and conscious thinking
* Rhythm and social harmony
* Artistic sense
* Love of learning
* Creativity
* Independence and self-confidence
* Ability to solve problems
* Resilience
* Self-discipline
* Ecological awareness
Campus, Sustainable and Ecological Community
Ak Lu’um Waldorf Community is located 8 km. from the center of Playa del Carmen to the north, next to Sac Be community. The school was built ecologically conscious, in the middle of the jungle and using traditional materials, techniques and building designs from the region. The organic character of the project is reflected in the school buildings and auxiliary spaces that nest in the jungle. Our existing campus opened in 2018 and will continue to be in development for years to come.
Today, in harmony with our environment, waste is separated and recycled. We make organic compost on an ongoing basis, and encourage community members to do the same.
We use only solar energy and generate our own water resources.
We encourage parents to practice the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
- Early childhood homes that feature organic materials (i.e. wooden blocks, baskets, fabrics, nuts, ropes, snails, etc.) and access to water
- Grades classrooms equipped with musical instruments and reading areas, and spacious rooms with good ventilation.
- Early childhood playground with wooden climbing games and play house
- Grades playground with open areas for play and rest areas
- Garden used as part of the curriculum to study plants and grow fruits, vegetables and herbs for school lunch
- Common area for musical, theatrical and festival activities, plus office and warehouses.
- Offices and warehouses
- Nature trail within the school grounds
History
Ak Lu’um Waldorf School started in September 2006 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Founded by Siobhan Bowers and Gabriela Nuñez, the initiative began with five children in a house on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen.
Since the beginning, the main objective has been to provide quality, holistic education to all the families who sought it, regardless of academic capacity, financial ability or cultural background.
In 2008, Ak Lu’um inaugurated its jungle campus, an ecological, solar-powered, sustainable school.
At the beginning of the year 2018, untouched land was acquired in Sac Hua Cax, located in the northern area of Playa del Carmen. This new campus now serves as the definitive campus of all activities related to our beloved community.
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission
Through Waldorf pedagogy and Anthroposophy, we take on the important task of educating people with independent thinking who are able to face life with wonder, courage, initiative and creativity. Our commitment is to teach through gestures, words and actions that are based on respect, dedication and integrity by offering an education that is coherent, valuable and meaningful.
At Ak Lu'um we strive to achieve these goals:
* Family and community life
* A healthy developing childhood
* Joy when it comes to learning
* An education focused on the unity of body, soul and spirit
* Intellectual excellence, imagination, robust memory and problem-solving skills
* Alternatives to stressful exams
* Age-appropriate use of media
* Development of moral and ethical judgment
* The beauty of our environment as a formative current in the life of the child
Vision
Our greatest intention is to be a Waldorf School, sustainable, consciously ecological, that opens its doors to families from anywhere in the world, thus promoting multiculturalism and inclusion to build a community that grows in harmony and respect with nature in the jungle of the Riviera Maya; and that it is distinguished primarily by its hard work in forming free human beings who, through goodness, beauty, and truth, give meaning to their lives.
Values
Community is at the heart of our school. Together students, parents, colleagues and friends strive to create an environment that enriches and inspires the human spirit with: Goodness, Beauty and Truth.
These values guide our professional development and behavior:
* Freedom
* Respect
* Discipline
* Goodness
* Beauty
* Truth
* Union
* Inspiration
* Creativity
* Respect for nature
* Conscious thinking
Philosophy
Ak Lu'um Community is a Waldorf initiative based on the anthroposophical teachings of the humanist philosopher Rudolf Steiner. In order to educate free human beings, we believe in supporting the child's natural developmental stages. We use the truth and beauty of the natural world to form the child, encouraging him to develop observation and reverence for life. Teachers provoke the enthusiasm for learning that lives in every child. The subjects are worked on in an imaginative and dynamic way which makes motivation for prizes or competitive exams unnecessary. Children's motivation is born from themselves (as they will have to as adults) and they can gain the ability to enjoy learning throughout their lives.
For example, in an effort to be in harmony with our environment, we separate the garbage, compost permanently and encourage our community to do so as well. Our electricity and water resources are generated and treated 100% in Ak Lu'um.
Staff
A good teacher is the most valuable resource a school has. It is indispensable that teachers are constantly learning: teaching becomes an infinitely richer process if teachers are also learning.
Professional development improves learning for all students, and it further improves skills, knowledge and self-awareness for teachers. All teachers are students of Anthroposophy and committed to widening their consciousness and educating with soul.
All our teaching staff is (or is) working towards being:
- First-Aid trained
- Qualified as Teachers, or Support Staff
- Trained in Waldorf Education. Qualified in Special Needs Education
- Bilingual (English / Spanish)
GABRIELA
MAIN TEACHER IN CASA LILA / CURATIVE PEDAGOGY
I graduated with a degree in Pedagogy from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, am certified as a Waldorf Kindergarten Teacher by the Centro Antroposófico de México, A.C. and am an Anthroposophical Art Therapist at the Centro Antroposófico de México, A.C. and El Puente Anthroposophical Art Therapy.
Ak Lu'um Waldorf Community was one of my dreams together with Siobhan Bowers 18 years ago, I am also part of the founding impulse of YaxKin Kindergarten Teacher Training in Riviera Maya.
I have been working as a Kindergarten teacher since 1998 and as a Waldorf teacher since 2008. Currently, my work is with the youngest children, under 3 years old, with groups of parents and children, I also accompany children, colleagues and parents with Art Therapy.
I also tutor teachers and advise Waldorf schools in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Currently, I am part of the Board of WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America) and a representative of WECAN in Mexico.
DAYANA
MAIN TEACHER AT CASA MARGARITA / COORDINATOR IN KINDERGARTEN
Originally from Venezuela, I have been in Mexico for 12 years. Psychologist and Waldorf teacher trained in YaxKin, training in the Riviera Maya.
With immense affection for letters and the world of languages.. I have been in Ak Lu'um Waldorf Community since 2015, going through various roles until I became a main teacher at Casa Margarita.
I am grateful to be part of an ideology that observes human beings with the nobility and value that is inherent to them.
ROMMY
ASSISTANT AT CASA TULIPÁN
Graduated from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in a career of commercial relations with experience in government schools for 10 years with the intention of achieving a different education, comes the opportunity to be in Ak Lu'um and I have served as a teacher in the kindergarten for 5 years. Currently, I work in the field of nutrition which has nurtured me personally and professionally.
I have two children, Loreto and Rodrigo, who have been able to experience the magical experience of growing and learning just like me of this beautiful philosophy and community.
I am grateful every day for this great opportunity.
MARIANA
MAESTRA CASA TULIPÁN / COORDINADORA EN JARDÍN DE INFANCIA
Psicóloga de profesión. Entregada al trabajo con niñas y niños en el área de asistencia social por 13 años y desde hace 7 años comprometida con el continuo aprendizaje en Ak Lu’um y la antroposofía. Maestra de Jardín de Infancia con formación, egresada de Yaxkin. Amante de la naturaleza y fiel defensora de su cuidado.
FRANJA
ASSISTANT AT CASA LILA / MOVEMENT TEACHER IN THE GRADES
Brazilian and has over 30 years in the practice of capoeira teaching children and adults. For more than 7 years in Ak Lu'um, he has been committed to constant study and is currently pursuing training in Spatial Dynamics and as an Early Childhood teacher. His interest in personal development and love has been an important combination for his success.
Su interés por el desarrollo personal y el amor, ha sido una combinación importante para su éxito.
SHARON
ASISTENTE EN CASA MARGARITA
Soy una Mujer de 40 años, soy esposa, soy hija y soy mamá de Dominic un perrito mestizo que tiene 5 años.
Nací en la CDMX, lugar donde he realizado todos mis estudios académicos incluyendo una maestría en administración por la Universidad Intercontinental. Este año estoy cumpliendo 12 años en Playa del Carmen, el lugar que me ha llevado a conocerme de mejor manera y ha impulsado mi crecimiento laboral.
Soy cariñosa, social, amigable, alegre, inteligente, creativa; me gusta estar en contacto, ayudar y platicar con las personas, me gusta ir a la playa, viajar, bailar, cocinar, cantar, leer, practicar yoga, meditar, experimentar y descubrir cosas nuevas.
Me gusta mucho estar en contacto con la naturaleza y explorar toda su belleza.
NAOME
APRENDIZ DE
MAESTRA CASA LILA
Estudiante en la Universidad Riviera en la carrera de Pedagogía.
Aprendiz de maestra en el Centro de la Primera Infancia. Joven de gran corazón interesada en la infancia y el aprendizaje del desarrollo del ser humano.
Aún siendo la más joven de la facultad, ha sabido acompañar a los niños en su proceso de forma respetuosa y amorosa. Activa, sensible y empática, cada día nos regala su alegría y asombro por la vida.
EDNA ILIANA
MAESTRA DE 1er GRADO / PEDAGOGÍA CURATIVA
Desde que tengo 7 años me he relacionado con niños, tengo 2 hermanos más chicos, muchos primos y sobrinos.
De niña siempre decía que quería ser maestra. Cuando tenía 15 años mi mamá realizó un curso de verano y fue ahí donde confirmé mi deseo de ser maestra.
Cuando estudié la carrera también estaba trabajando como monitora de un niño con autismo (2017). En el 2018 empecé a trabajar en la escuela Waldorf Amanecer ubicada en Aguascalientes como encargada de control escolar en la parte de preescolar, el siguiente ciclo escolar fuí maestra de preescolar y realicé mi formación como maestra Waldorf Jardinera en PAIDEIA, me llevé a los egresados de tercero de preescolar a primaria por dos ciclos escolares.
Desde el 2018 trabajo también dando terapia psicopedagógica y regularizaciones a niños con problemas de aprendizaje.
Por un año trabajé como maestra de cantos y juegos en una escuela regular.
Buscando un crecimiento profesional y personal, confirmo que la pedagogía Waldorf es la rama de la educación que quiero seguir enseñando y trabajando.
MELANIE
MAESTRA DE 4to GRADO
Nací en la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. Soy maestra Waldorf, bailarina y mamá de León de 11 años.
Comencé mi camino en la educación hace 8 años a través de distintas pedagogías. En el año 2019 inicié mi formación de maestra en el Seminario de Pedagogía Waldorf en Argentina, y conjuntamente comencé a trabajar en escuelas con bases Antroposóficas. Desde ese momento cada día me encuentro desarrollando una visión más amplia e integral sobre la educación de los/as niños/as.
En el año 2022 recibí el llamado de una escuela en Costa Rica donde pude formar parte del área de asesoría pedagógica y seguir nutriéndome sobre la pedagogía, apoyando en un nuevo impulso.
Al año siguiente, con mi familia decidimos trasladarnos a México donde residimos hace un año y medio. Actualmente formo parte de la Comunidad de Ak Lu’um como familia y maestra de 4to grado y manualidades.
ANGIE ISABEL
2ND GRADE MAIN TEACHER / ENGLISH
I am Ecuadorian, I was born in Quito and I live in the same city. From halfway around the world I will tell you a little bit more about myself.
I am 27 years old and have been in the educational field for 5 years, 4 of which have been entirely within Anthroposophy. I learned more about pedagogy in 2018 in Cuernavaca and fell in love with the foundation, the perspective of the child, the teacher, the family and society. It was like finding the perfect echo that I have been looking for a long time. For this reason I started my training as a Waldorf teacher in the same year. And I studied anthroposophical art therapy for two years.
I was a grade tutor for 4 years and to observe the growth of the most precious thing that parents have was an honor and I will always carry every achievement in my heart. Together we were able to consolidate teamwork and achieve the goals of each year.
Currently, I work in the administrative part of a university, but my heart has a calling and that is to become a teacher again. I am also studying my Master's Degree in Inclusive Education with a mention in Psychoeducational Intervention.
MERY
MAESTRA DE 5to y 6to GRADO / MÚSICA
Soy profesora de Música egresada del Conservatorio “Félix T. Garzón” de la Universidad Provincial de Córdoba, Argentina.
Cuento con más de 10 años de experiencia como Profesora de Música, especializándome dentro de la salud mental y en todos los niveles educativos, incluyendo discapacidad y tercera edad. Desde 2015 he realizado diversos estudios en Musicoterapia, Cantoterapia y Música Waldorf.
Me he interiorizado en la Antroposofía desde la pedagogía musical y la Cantoterapia, y he participado como maestra de música en varias escuelas Waldorf de Argentina, Costa Rica y México.
Me considero investigadora de la voz y del folklore latinoamericano, he recorrido muchos países de América Latina compartiendo mis canciones y atesorando ritmos y especies folclóricas de distintos países. Hace 8 años llevo a cabo el taller de Canto Terapéutico en relación al cuerpo-voz, mente-voz, espíritu-voz.
Desde 2008 he formado parte de muchos proyectos musicales, como instrumentista, vocalista y arregladora. y actualmente estoy trabajando en la pre-producción de un nuevo disco.
“La Música acompaña todos los aspectos de mi vida y comprendo la canción como un puente que trasciende todas las culturas, paisajes e idiomas”
YANET
3RD GRADE MAIN TEACHER / THEATER
A playwright by INBA, Yanet is creative and skilled in the scenographic and plastic arts. She has experience teaching children and young people in collectives and cultural centers, where she has taught music, corporal expression and staged plays. Her passion for spiritual science began as a priestess of the initiatory school “Oro Mu, orden de la Rosa Múltiple”, where she has been practicing for more than 20 years. In Waldorf pedagogy, she has been a teacher of handwork in all grades and a drama teacher in the upper grades, and is currently the main class teacher of grades at Ak Lu'um Waldorf. Daughter, wife and mother, Yanet often listens to you with attention and empathy, being a friendly shoulder for all.
ARIEL
MAESTRO DE
7mo Y 8vo GRADO
Nacido en Michoacán y egresado de la Escuela de Artes y Diseño en Barcelona, después de haber estudiado la secundaria Waldorf en Bélgica. Vivo en un rancho en Michoacán con mi familia, donde soy miembro de la Iniciativa Antroposófica Las Canoas Altas, AC. En la Asociación trabajo como vocal y co-responsable de la Sección Pedagógica y en la gestión y distribución de los productos del rancho.
Con Formación de Especialización en Antroposofía y Artes gráficas, soy maestro Waldorf en Primaria Alta (Secundaria) y trabajo en el acompañamiento en campamentos/albergues escolares y juveniles.
Miembro de la Sociedad Antroposófica, mi labor se centra en el desarrollo del Ser humano desde el acompañamiento pedagógico y social a jóvenes y adultos.
En los últimos 15 años de trabajo en Asociación en el Rancho Biodinámico y en la Escuela Libre Ch’anani, hemos acompañando a niños, jóvenes y adultos en el ámbito de la pedagogía y la agricultura. El trabajo que realizamos es como una obra de salud social y se despliega en encuentros, formaciones, cursos, seminarios, campamentos, escuela y más.
.
YURIBIA
MAESTRA DE EURITMIA
Graduada en la Escuela Técnica de La Fuerza Aerea de Venezuela, como especialista en sistema de Radares, posteriormente, la experiencia como instrutora en la aviación me motivo estudiar en el Pedagógico Monseñor Arias Blanco, como Profesor en Educación Comercial. La transformación en instituciones de nivel medio a nivel superior me conllevó a cursar la maestría en Desarrollo Curricular en la Universidad de Carabobo y con el propósito de ampliar en el.àmbito de investigación realicé el Doctorado en Educación en la Universidad de Carabobo.
He sido docente con más de 30 años de servicio y como investigadora los fundamentos de la pedagogía Waldorf, despertaron una inquietud que me motivo a formarme como euritmista en Auriel México, siendo parte del Grupo Càliz, culminando mi certificación en el Goetheanum en junio 2024.
Estoy muy feliz y emocionada de poder llevar la Euritmia a los niños, maestros y familias, siendo un canal del proceso evolutivo del ser humano.
VICTOR
ASESOR DE MATEMÁTICAS
Me titulé como ingeniero mecánico por la UNAM.
Desde hace 23 años he sido maestro de matemáticas y ciencias, en inglés y español en varias instituciones educativas.
Hace 10 años comencé a formarme en la pedagogía Waldorf con énfasis en el tercer septenio, pudiendo colaborar así en múltiples iniciativas y escuelas Waldorf.
Junto con mi mentor y amigo Marco Antonio, aunado a otros maestros, iniciamos los encuentros Preparatoria para la vida, que con el tiempo darían origen a otros proyectos afines a la pedagogía.
Cómo emprendimiento personal fundé daskalos.xyz, con el cual he podido distribuir material didáctico propio, impartir asesorías, talleres, charlas, presenciales y virtuales, para alumnos, padres y maestros.
Actualmente hago implementación, diseño y didáctica de Matemáticas Waldorf en los grados 1 a 12 para varias escuelas en México y Guatemala.
Por el momento me encuentro estudiando en la formación de grados superiores Waldorf en la Fundación Michelangelo de Chile.
ZORAIDA
COORDINADORA DE GRADOS / PEDAGOGÍA CURATIVA
Nací en Barcelona. Hace 15 años me trasladé a Michoacán, México, donde formé mi familia, soy madre de 2 niñas y un niño.
Los últimos 15 años los he dedicado a acompañar a la infancia y hace 9 que lo hago desde la pedagogía Waldorf.
Entre mis pasiones se encuentran la salud, el arte, la pedagogía y la cuestión social y en mi quehacer diario trato de ser congruente con estos principios desde una visión humanista y naturalista.
En 2015 cofundé junto a otros miembros de la Iniciativa Antroposófica Las Canoas Altas la Escuela Libre Ch’anani, donde me desarrollé como maestra jardinera y maestra de primaria baja. Actualmente, soy responsable de la Sección Pedagógica de Las Canoas Altas desde donde tengo el privilegio de asesorar procesos de crianza a familias, guiar círculos de estudio para adultos, asesorar a maestras jardineras y de primaria baja, brindar seguimiento a familias y alumnos con necesidades especiales y coordinar albergues pedagógicos para niños y adolescentes.
Soy miembro de la Sociedad Antroposófica y estoy en constante formación antroposófica y pedagógica.
What is Waldorf?
With more than 900 Waldorf schools and 1,600 Waldorf early childhood programs on five continents, Waldorf education is truly global, not only in scope, but also in approach. Wherever it is found, the Waldorf curriculum cultivates among its students a deep appreciation for cultural traditions from around the world while at the same time being deeply rooted in its local culture and context.
Waldorf schools offer a balanced, developmentally appropriate approach to education that integrates arts and academics for children from preschool through twelfth grade. It fosters the development of each child's sense of truth, beauty, and goodness and provides an antidote to violence, alienation, and cynicism. The goal of education is to instill in each student a lifelong love of learning and enable them to fully develop their unique abilities.
For the Waldorf student, music, dance and drama, writing, literature, legends and myths are not just subjects to be ingested and tasted. They have experience. Through these experiences, Waldorf students cultivate a lifelong love of learning, as well as the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual capacities to be confident individuals and serve the world.
Developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1919, Waldorf education is based on a deep understanding of human development that addresses the needs of the growing child. Waldorf teachers strive to transform education into an art that educates the whole child: through the heart, hands, and head.
The enthusiasm and commitment of the teachers you meet is common in Waldorf schools. These teachers are interested in students as individuals. They are interested in the questions:
* How do we establish within each child their own high level of academic excellence?
* How do we foster enthusiasm for learning and work, healthy self-awareness, interest and concern for fellow human beings, and respect for the world?
* How can we help students find meaning in their lives?
Teachers in Waldorf schools are dedicated to generating an inner enthusiasm for learning within each child. They accomplish this in various ways. Even seemingly dry and academic subjects are presented in a pictorial and dynamic way. This eliminates the need for competitive testing, academic placement, and behavioral rewards to motivate learning. It allows motivation to come from within and helps engender the capacity for lifelong learning.
The Waldorf curriculum is broad and comprehensive, structured to respond to the three phases of childhood development: birth to approximately 6 or 7 years of age, 7 to 14 years of age, and 14 to 18 years of age.
Waldorf schools are part of an international movement, although they are not part of a regulated organization. The schools are united by a shared dedication to the Waldorf curriculum and pedagogy and by the belief that this schooling can help children become free-thinking, socially responsible and willing adults. In this way, families have found Waldorf education to be a truly global curriculum united around the world in its unique vision of child development. Each school, however, is independent and autonomous, and has its own distinctive characteristics.
When the first Waldorf school was founded in 1919, there was no headmaster. Instead, the faculty shared responsibility for running the school. Today teachers and staff meet weekly and with a chairperson, elected for a limited term. They make decisions regarding the social, administrative and educational life of the school. Faculty and staff also study particular aspects of Waldorf education together. The College of Teachers is made up of faculty and staff members who are particularly committed to the fate of the school. This group is responsible for educational policies and the management of human and material resources.
To maintain the freedom to provide the Waldorf curriculum and to preserve this governance of collaborative leadership, Waldorf schools are independent from the state. Therefore, the operating cost must be covered by parent tuition payments, donations, and gifts. However, the Waldorf movement is concerned that education be available to all committed parents without financial barriers.
Parent and Community Involvement
Beyond a day of school, we are an educational community. Our students' families are involved in the development and growth of Ak Lu'um. Teamwork is vital. The home-school bond needs to be very strong and revitalized on an ongoing basis. Reaching consensual decisions is our intention.
The Faculty of Teachers works collaboratively and through consensus, as do parent committees. The contribution of each one is considered and evaluated since the results of working in this way are greater than the sum of the individual contributions.
We seek to build our community in the following way:
Pedagogical Boards
Parents attend pedagogical meetings throughout the year. This is an excellent opportunity for teachers and parents to come together to explore Waldorf education and their children's developmental stages, as well as focus on addressing issues that concern the group and thus strengthen teamwork.
Personal Development
There are lectures and workshops during the school year given by experts in Waldorf education, health, ecology, etc. for both parents and teachers. We welcome parents to share their knowledge and expertise with the community.
Parent Schools
We hope that parents will actively participate to deepen their knowledge of Waldorf pedagogy.
Social Events
Sometimes the school organizes simple events with the sole purpose of getting to know each other and spending the afternoon together.
Fundraising
The payments of the monthly contributions allow those children from humble families to have access to this healing education. However, like any Waldorf school, we also rely on fundraising to subsidize the school's day-to-day life. There are several fundraising events in the year organized and carried out by teachers and parents.
School Trips
Sometimes parents participate in these excursions.
Parent Committee (PTA)
A group of parents has been formed to facilitate communication between parents and propose and conduct social and fundraising events.
Newsletter
It is published weekly and distributed by email.
Mercadito
Every Wednesday there is a market where students, families and friends from school sell food and handcrafts. Part of the proceeds goes to the school fundraising efforts.
Affiliations
Ak Lu'um is affiliated with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the Association of Early Childhood Centers of North America (WECAN) and we receive training and evaluation visits from Waldorf experts from around the world. The heart and soul of our curriculum is based entirely on the Waldorf model, enriched by the international and local Mayan culture of our community.
Ak Lu'um is not incorporated into the SEP (Secretariat of Public Education), and the students validate their primary studies by the INEA.
