BLÁTHÚ Staff

BLÁTHÚ STAFF - the people behind the voice on the phone

Fiona Coady, National Co-ordinator

Fiona Coady has been BLÁTHÚ’s National Co-ordinator since July 2018.

Fiona works from the office, managing the day-to-day running of the organisation, and is available to all our members and the wider public for information, support and guidance.

Fiona says:
“Since my daughter started in Raheen Wood Kindergarten, and seeing how she has flourished and grown, I developed a deep interest in Steiner Education and what it provides for children. Having studied philosophy in college, and spent the last 10 years training and developing myself in communication, leadership, self-expression, integrity and empowering adults, working for the organisation which exists to support and expand Steiner Education seemed like a natural fit for me”

Ulrike Farnleitner, National Development Officer and Siolta/Aistear Mentor, provides pedagogical and quality assurance support, mentoring for Early Years settings and members nationally, and she represents BLÁTHÚ. to the International Association of Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Association.

Ulrike originally trained in Austria as a state and a Steiner/Waldorf Early Years teacher. She enjoys working with children, witnessing their play and their way of being and growing into their ‘own shoes’, and finds this inspiring. She appreciates how her learning in storytelling and puppetry gives insights that enhance her work with adults, as coach, mentor or trainer. As a guest lecturer she offers interactive sessions for early years students.
Her site visits to Steiner/Waldorf Early Years settings include observation, feedback and reflection. Developing relationships of trust, openness and respect among colleagues, with the young child always at the center of vision and aim, is the starting point for educating in and toward freedom.

Giving workshops, information evenings on Steiner Early Years education and working with students is her job and mission.
Ulrike’s MA in Education/Early Years helps her to bridge the academic world views with the creative innovative teachings of Rudolf Steiner’s Educational Approach connected to Anthroposophy. Her hope is that Anthroposophy and Steiner/Waldorf education may contribute to the evolution of the “whole,” such as family, community, nation, and humankind.