Interview by Lisa Babinet, PhD, WSP Faculty
Reprinted with permission from School Renewal, Spring, 2025
As a child, Lea Fredrickson attended an outdoor preschool. There, a community of parents, inspired by their experience, began to envision a unique educational path for their children. This vision culminated in the founding of Waldorf School of Santa Barbara where Lea was part of the first graduating eighth-grade class. Her mother served as the founding administrator, with many classmates’ parents playing integral roles in creating and shaping the school community.
“I loved everything about my Waldorf education,” Lea shares. “The stories, creative play, being in nature, acting in plays, and learning math creatively—all these experiences shaped my childhood. The passion and joy my teachers brought to the classroom inspired me, and in the community, I formed lifelong friendships.”
After graduating eighth grade, Lea attended a local independent high school, then earned an undergraduate degree in physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, which included a year studying abroad in Spain. After completing her undergraduate degree, Lea went on to complete a Ph.D. in physics from UCLA. She gained teaching experience as a substitute teacher and graduate teaching assistant, but it was a serendipitous discovery that redirected her path to Waldorf education.
“While searching for a postdoctoral position, I found that Waldorf School of the Peninsula (WSP), just blocks away from my home, was seeking a high school physics teacher,” she recalls. “It felt like a calling, and thirteen years later, I’m still here, finding immense joy in teaching.”
Nurturing STEM at Waldorf School of the Peninsula
At WSP, Lea has taken on various roles teaching physics, calculus, Spanish, dance, and even co-creating an interdisciplinary senior science elective. A highlight of her teaching career is founding the school’s robotics team, which competes in FIRST Robotics. Now in its twelfth season, the team has even hosted a competition on campus.
“Many students have said that robotics was a highlight of their high school experience,” she says. “It fosters collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving in a hands-on, engaging way.”
Lea recently transitioned to a leadership role as high school pedagogical administrator, supporting her colleagues while facilitating the redevelopment of the computer science curriculum.
Readiness in a Tech-Forward Future
Reflecting on her Waldorf education, Lea credits it with instilling a love of discovery and a multidisciplinary perspective. “My Waldorf experience taught me to find understanding through discovery rather than being handed answers. It’s a principle I carry into my teaching.”
To parents concerned about their children’s readiness for the tech world, she offers reassurance:
“Waldorf education prepares students with flexibility of thinking, resilience, and confidence to navigate an uncertain future. It’s less about specific tools and more about fostering adaptability and critical thinking.”
Embracing AI with Awareness
As AI continues to evolve, Lea is both excited and cautious. “Generative AI is accelerating human creativity in unprecedented ways, but it also carries the potential for misuse. Waldorf students are uniquely positioned to engage with this technology critically, understanding its capabilities and limitations.”
At WSP, Lea and her colleagues are ensuring that the next generation of students meets the future with curiosity, humanity, and a solid foundation in STEM. As she looks forward, her dedication to blending Waldorf principles with cutting-edge innovation offers a model for education in the 21st century.
