BLÁTHÚ STAFF - the people behind the voice on the phone

Ruth Marshall, NC

Ruth Marshall has been BLÁTHÚ’s National Co-ordinator since February 2022.

Ruth works from the office, and is available to all our members and the wider public for information, support and guidance. Amongst other things, she is responsible for creating BLÁTHÚ’s quarterly newsletter, maintaining the website, publicising events, membership, and liaising with our NDO.

Ruth is a storyteller, author, arts and heritage facilitator, and a seasonal tour guide. Formerly editor of Network Ireland holistic magazine, she brings a wide range of skills and experience to the BLÁTHÚ office.
Her son went to Cooleenbridge School (now Raheenwood) in Co Clare, and Ruth taught there in its early days, and was later a tutor at ALFA for 5 years. After graduating from ISKA's Early Childhood Education Programme, Ruth served as Course Director for 7 years.
Ruth is the author of two books of folk tales, and also of "Celebrating Irish Festivals", a practical resource helping families mark our traditional seasonal festivals in a contemporary way. She brings her various transpersonal trainings and a knowledge of folklore and traditions into workshop offerings for adults and children.

Ruth is very happy to serve in this role supporting those who work with young children. 

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Ulrike Farnleitner, NDO

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. 
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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.