Author of the Month September September 01 2026

The mighty spirit that was David Sloan on Earth is now a yet-to-be-named star in the heavens, for sure! There is no adequate way to pay proper tribute to such a soul as David Sloan. The only adequate metaphor possible is that he was to the Waldorf movement in North America, to American poetry, and to the lives of countless people, including his family, what one of the elegant, mighty pillars in the Goetheanum is: essential, strong, eloquent, stunning.

To begin with his family, he and his wife, Christine, were together on Earth (and forever after) for more than fifty years and formed that rare partnership that can rightly be called a “dynamic duo”—both brilliant, funny, competent, and lovers of life (as well as of each other). Their four children and bouquet of grandchildren stand as a tribute to the glory of their marriage.

From this foundation stone of his family, we can move to David’s teaching career of more than four decades. David most recently forged the path to establishing the high school at Maine Coast Waldorf School (formerly the Merriconeag School). The high school opened as the worldwide financial crisis drained financial health around the world. Dauntless, David held firmly to his vision for the school and was richly rewarded over time with strong enrollment and excellent teaching colleagues. His sheer, visionary, steadfast determination, combined with his indefatigable sense of humor and radiant, irresistible goodwill, became the driving force and foundational strength of the Maine Coast Waldorf High School.

David’s passion for the power and creative force of words arced a rainbow of attention from the highest levels of literature to remarkably groan-worthy puns. He was deliciously facile at both ends of that arc, as well as everywhere in between. His own poetry holds light and wisdom and has been published in his own books and in various magazines. He lost little time moving to Maine from New York and connecting with the poetry groups there, where he became well known.

At his retirement party from Maine Coast School, his former students spoke of their deep appreciation for their love of language and great literature, past and present, that Mr. Sloan had instilled in them. His joy at finding the most expressive and apt words for a description was infectious, and these former students spoke with reverence about the depth of their own commitment to careful speech and an ongoing quest for beautiful, expressive language.

Waldorf Publications owes a large debt to David for publishing his four books with this publishing house. All four books reflect these characteristics, as well as David’s commitment to protecting idealism in young hearts, striving for beautiful writing and expression, and understanding the importance of Waldorf education in building capacities for life in adolescents.

Life Lessons and Stages of Imagination speak to these goals he cherished as a teacher. David also worked with Douglas Gerwin and a research team on a survey of parents of Waldorf students, past and present. He interpreted the results and wrote them into a book called The Community Speaks. Beautifully written and crystal clear, the reporting is insightful and accessible, presenting the data gathered from parents, past and present, about their experiences as parents in their Waldorf schools.

His last book, which he assembled just before he started his last round with his illness, is retrospectively a treasure to be handled carefully. Keeping Ideals Intact is David’s testament to a teaching life well lived to the fullest. Articles, graduation speeches, talks to parents, and thoughtful essays on the significance of education and literature as formative and protective forces for tender-hearted youngsters offer us a walking tour toward fulfilling the title of the collection. It shows how much protection a promising future has when idealism is cultivated to thrive through life.

David crossed the threshold on the morning of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from this world to the world of stars. He might very well have been met there by his fellow teaching pillar, John Wulsin, who preceded David in passing by fewer than two years. So thoroughly united in teaching, vision, and dedication were these two that students called each of them “Mr. Wulsloan” or “Mr. Sloansin.”

David’s wife, Christine, reported the last poem that David wrote:
“One thing I do know...Love never ends.”

So, to our Author of the Month, David Sloan, we send salutes, gratitude, and love. He was, indeed, a pillar, a fine teacher, a joyful colleague, an inspiring mentor, a dear friend, a builder of poetry and dreams, a loved and appreciated husband, a devoted father, and a doting grandfather.