Finding a Way through the Forest: The Path of a Pioneer

Chris Jack trained as an architect, then worked in construction and property before realising his life’s vocation was in teaching. After coming to a fork in the road in his life, he moved his young family to Emerson College, UK to train as a Steiner teacher. Returning to his hometown of Brisbane, Chris became the pioneer teacher of Samford Valley Steiner school which in his time has grown from then, a staff of three to now over 100: he describes the path of a pioneer as like “finding a way through the forest without a track”. He later pioneered Birali Steiner school, Qld, shepherding its progress from 14 students in a rented hall to being the owner of 26 acres with over 100 students. Chris reflects also on his time as Chair of the Board of Steiner Education Australia, contributing to the growth of Steiner schools nationally. Music has always been a central part of Chris’s life, from guitarist in Murphy’s Pigs, an internationally acclaimed Celtic rock band, to his personal guitar Victor who plays a key role as Chris’s “assistant” in the classroom. For more information about Steiner education: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/⁠⁠ For more information about locations and contact details of Steiner schools: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/schools/⁠⁠  Teacher education and professional learning: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/events/⁠⁠  Working in a Steiner school: ⁠⁠https://steinereducation.edu.au/jobs/#vacancies⁠⁠  Our facebook page is ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/steinereducationaustralia⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/steinereducationaustralia/⁠⁠  The beautifully performed theme music ‘Libertango’ is played by Esther Abrami and Alexandra Whittingham.   Esther’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.estherabrami.com/⁠⁠  Alexandra’s website: ⁠⁠https://www.alexandrawhittingham.com/⁠⁠ Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/