The Education of Rudolf Steiner

A child enters the stage and starts to speak. Is this a theatre performance or a class play during a monthly celebration at school? The child doesn't seem particularly old. It speaks of itself and its development. We hear of spiritual experiences from a time long past. The words appear very chosen, almost predetermined, just as if someone is speaking through the child - but who? Perhaps it was brought up that way? Is it just a play script after all? Or do we actually hear the visions of a reform educationalist here?
In 1919, Rudolf Steiner alongside the entrepreneur Emil Molt founded the first Waldorf School to ever exist on the Uhlandshöhe in Stuttgart. Since then, Waldorf education has emerged into a global model of success. However, the educational approach based on Steiner's anthroposophical philosophy remains controversial and has repeatedly been criticised because of its seemingly esoteric origins. Yet beyond this, Steiner's work is still reflected in many areas our modern dailiy life, like in organic farming strategies, the corporate philosophies of beauty companies as well as anthroposophical and homeopathic medicine. Where does the charisma and ambivalence of this figure stem from, that is worshipped as a prophet by some whilst being condemned as an originator of unrealistic beliefs by others?