Fathers’ Group
with Roland Baril — Father, Current MWS 7th grade class teacher, 33 years of experience in education
Roland Baril, MWS’s 7th grade class teacher, is continuing an ongoing group of up to 20 fathers, meeting approximately monthly on Monday evenings. We will begin on 9/28/26 and have the last of seven sessions on 5/10/26. The Fathers’ Group sessions will endeavor to:
Provide a forum to deepen our understanding of effective parenting skills and our roles as fathers, highlighting the importance of the father’s role in his child’s education.
Offer tools for being a conscious father, through understanding of developmental phases.
Strengthen connection within the school community by establishing and deepening friendships.
Increase understanding of Waldorf movement activities to strengthen a father’s connection to his child’s education, and to simply enjoy the fun of playing together.
Each meeting will close with an athletic game of Spaceball, so bring your sneakers!
These group sessions are dynamic, informative meetings that encourage sharing of experiences, as we work together to strengthen parenting skills.
Time: 6:30-8:30 PM., on Mondays
Dates: 9/28/26; 10/26/26; 11/16/26; 1/11/27; 1/25/27; 3/22/27; 5/10/27
Location: MWS campus: 7th Grade Classroom, Blacktop. & Fields
Fee: $300 for seven two-hour meetings.
About Roland Baril: Roland Baril was a class teacher at the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, NY for 15 years, during which time he helped develop the school’s PE/Spatial Dynamics program. In addition to being Chairman of the Faculty and College of Teachers there, he also served as the Leadership Council Rep for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) from 2004-07. He then served for four years as Lower School Coordinator for Summerfield WS in Santa Rosa before coming to Greenwood School in Mill Valley in 2011 as the Dean of Education/Class Teacher. He joined MWS as a class teacher in 2020. He is in his 33rd year as an educator. Roland earned his BA (Magna Cum Laude) in History from Sonoma State University, completed his Waldorf Master’s program at Sunbridge College in NY, and a five-year Spatial Dynamics training in NY and PA. He is the father of 2 sons, now in their late 20’s/early 30’s, who attended Waldorf schools from grades K‐12.
Testimonials for Roland’s Work as a Fathers’ Group Facilitator:
“I participated in the Fathers' Group at SWSF led by Roland Baril for three years and I can say unequivocally that it strengthened my sense of community, deepened my understanding of Waldorf and provided much needed parenting support. Roland is a skilled and passionate group leader who is equally adept at providing didactic training, facilitating group process and leading fun games and physical exercise. As led by Roland, the groups that I participated in were rich and engaging and served a very valuable purpose.”
Doug Silberstein, MFT
“I strongly recommend Roland's Fathers group. It is a critical part of my understanding of the Waldorf Philosophy and what my two sons are experiencing on a day to day basis at school. Roland made possible for me much more enriching engagement with my family at home.”
Jeff Everage; former NAVY SEAL
“Let's be honest dudes. Sure we do our best, but we know it would be better if we had a manual of some sort. When the Fathers Group came together you felt like you were coming to King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. Really! Just being together is supportive and empowering. I love that part, and anything I received beyond that was a bonus! And, bonuses were aplenty . . . Roland Baril is an experienced Father and Educator, and he knows Waldorf Education like the back of his hand from so many perspectives. If your child is enrolled in a Waldorf School, then this is a "no-brainer" decision to join, and will be huge gift to you and your parenting abilities. MOST OF ALL - YOU PARTICIPATING WILL BE A GIFT TO YOUR CHILDREN.”
John Reighard; Promotional Leader for Jack Canfield, author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series.
During this past year I have learned a great deal about the qualities and skills of being a great dad to my six year old son and my twin boys who are three. Roland is an exceptional educator. He has provided a safe and impactful setting in our group meetings. I am looking forward to continuing my participation with him this school year.”
John Mutz; candidate for Sonoma County Sherrif
“I cannot put a value on the positive effects that Roland has brought to my family and the parenting of my children. Specifically, I appreciate his facilitation style which honors the masculine impulse that we as men are born with but often times is not honored in our culture at large. The topics he brought to our classes were relevant and practical. I would take it again.”
Dustin Deason; General Contractor
“After 5 years of attending Roland’s Fathers group at Greenwood, it has become part of the fabric of the year. The insight into fatherhood and the help from both the content covered and the other Fathers in the group has been vital in my growth as a parent and person. Roland brings to life the meaning behind a lot of the Waldorf traditions and allows a connection with what your child is experiencing in the classroom which is both insightful and fun. Discussions range from light-hearted to intense and vulnerable in a way that is supported by the trust and integrity within the group and it would be remiss to not mention that every session finishes with a game of Space Ball, where moments of youthful glory are relived in the competitive ‘non contact’ arena of the gym. Something for every Father.”
Simon Littler, entrepreneur
“Just being together, sharing experiences, good and bad parenting moments, and providing feedback are all supportive, communal, and empowering. Doing fun things with other fathers (including dad/leader/teacher, Roland), talking about the parenting reading materials, and the physical things we did (I miss Space Ball!) was always something I looked forward to. I gained some valuable and useful insight into my daughter's experience at the school and what I can do to help her through some struggles at home. It's not easy for dads to get together and talk about parenting, and also have fun and get to know each other better. I highly recommend Roland’s Fathers' Group.”
Rupak Nag, attorney