Syrendell

Rick Tan, MD Doctor of Medicine, Waldorf Teacher Certification, BA Biological Sciences Rick is a professional artist, harpist, pianist, feng shui consultant, wedding designer/officiant, and educator. He has taught at two Waldorf schools, and has been a K-12 public school teacher, gifted and talented facilitator, and school artist-in-residence. Rick has homeschooled his own four children. He consults in the areas of Waldorf curriculum, homeschooling, art, and music. Jennifer Tan, MA ​Master's Degree in Education--Administration, California Teaching and Administration Credentials, BA Classical Civilization Jennifer is a professional fiber artist, flutist, aromatherapist, wedding planner/officiant, and educator. She has been a school teacher, gifted and talented facilitator, principal and organizational leader. Jennifer has homeschooled her own children both privately and through a charter school in a Waldorf-inspired environment. She consults in the areas of Waldorf curriculum, homeschooling, handwork and music.

Waldorf-inspired, artistic, musical

The snail is our avatar, our mascot. It holds the universe and the golden mean in its shell. It is close to earth and nature. It moves at a pace that we can only hope to achieve in our fast-moving lives. So the Syrendell Snail represents the striving for savoring all the little, beautiful moments of life. As a wife and husband team, we have over fifty years combined experience in education. In our journey through public school, private Waldorf school, and homeschool, we discovered that one thing was at the core of it all: for learning to be meaningful, teaching has to be regarded as an art. And all good art starts from the heart. While curriculum, pedagogy, and systems of education continue to evolve, it is a teacher's passion and compassion -- the stuff of the heart -- that is at the core of education, and makes teaching and learning a meaningful experience. At Syrendell, we teach what we are passionate about. This translates to our students young and old being engaged and loving to learn. We enjoy sharing our love of handwork, wet on wet painting, woodworking, music, drawing, and singing, as well as science, math, and language arts. In fact, we believe teaching should be an interweaving of disciplines. Next time a snail is crossing your garden bed, say to it: "I shall savor life. You, my friend, I shall name Syrendell the Snail!"