School for Families in NE Portland

Shining Star School is to be created by parents and children and educators who wish to come together to form a healthy social circle, to support the arts and home crafts, the supportive circle of friends, and to further our conscious development in a community of unique individuals, worthy of respect. Shining Star School is a place and a space where people of all ages can come together to enjoy working with their hands, expand their hearts, and improve their knowledge about families and child rearing.  We are intentionally oriented towards Waldorf philosophy and practices, including limited media/screen influences and using natural resources for toys and furnishings.  We endorse and support parenting, and are dedicated to helping provide a resource for families who follow a little differnt path!  The light that shines from each soul and each face is perceived and revered in this school, and you are so welcome to join us!

                               Marsha Johnson, Founding Teacher  2003

Marsha Johnson is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children who attended the Portland Waldorf School, including the high school.  She directed the school's summer program for nine years, substituted in all the grades classrooms for 3 years, and then helped found Cedarwood Waldorf School in downtown Portland in 1996. She stubbornly sat on the HS forming committee for seven years until its inception in 1999.   She taught a grades class from first grade to 4th grade, and provided 3 years of a fall/spring study group called Arts and Anthroposophy. 

She has been involved with creating many forms for schools, and active in the Micha-el Teacher Training Institute, as well as a member of the Anthroposophical Society of America.  Shining Star is an opportunity to bring together ideals and practical applications, to provide a loving, caring environment for families to come together in new social and cultural forms.  Every day is a thrill, a golden moment to participate in the exciting and beautiful school-community collaberative and cooperative work. 

Residing in NE Portland since 1978, she has a deep respect and love for children and families living in these wonderful neighborhoods, and wishes to share the enduring gifts of craft, art, form, and work with those individuals.  It is with great pleasure that she enters into her work at Shining Star School.

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