MISSION

While pursuing his B.A. degree in Cultural Anthropology from UC Davis, Len also traveled around Australia, learning from local and indigenous people about customs, aboriginal art, music, mineral locales and more.

Along with memorable experiences, Len returned with a small collection of artwork, a hand-crafted didgeridoo and a coat that he believed made him look like Indiana Jones (which he admits friends and family close enough to speak truth observed as more of a rather foul-smelling, oil-soaked canvas duster!).

As Len’s coat came to see less and less of society, his didgeridoo came to see more and more. As with piano and mineral collecting, practicing with this unique instrument became yet another form of meditation. And, while the exotic, spiritual and moving sounds emanating from the didgeridoo may have frightened at least one small dog, audiences attending local events in his community have thoroughly enjoyed Len’s captivating and original improvisations.

When teaching mathematics, geology and science at Waldorf schools, Len enjoys connecting abstract lessons with concrete observations of what is happening in the natural world. Weather permitting, ] he says “I take class outdoors because I believe whatever we are learning can be found in nature — whether it’s measure, growth, weight, fractions, multiplication — you name it, it’s out there. What I observe is that students are not just learning the material — they are sharpening their focus and teaching me to do the same, as well.”

Another benefit he observes from taking class outside is that students learn more freely and out of their own, natural curiosity. “It brings great satisfaction to see students discovering different phenomena related to material we’re covering by becoming actively aware of wonders, in and around them, every day.”