Diana, our founder, has degrees in Environmental Studies (Waterloo), and Education (Lakehead), and taught in a school setting for twenty-five years. She also holds a Forest School Practitioners Certificate (Child and Nature Alliance, Forest Schools Ontario) and worked as a naturalist at provincial parks as a student. Sharing nature with children has been an important part of her life for many years and she feels blessed to be able to share the wonders of the Georgian Bay Biosphere with your families.

Sara is a registered Early Childhood Educator graduate from Canadore College and is currently finishing up her Forest and Nature School Practitioners certification with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. She was born and raised in Parry Sound where she spent her childhood participating in local sports, clubs, and being immersed in nature. As a child, she enjoyed spending her time camping, hunting, fishing, and more with her family and friends. Since starting at the forest school, she has loved every minute of connecting with, and learning from, nature alongside the children, and believes that the outdoors is where children thrive mentally and physically.

Eric is an Early Childhood Educator who has worked with children in an outdoor environment for over 8 years. He is passionate about connecting to nature and promoting belonging, engagement, expression, and well-being through play. Eric loves being on the lake, hiking, building campfires, and writing/singing to promote expression.

Krystal has a degree in Fine Arts and is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Krystal has worked professionally with children in both indoor and outdoor settings since 2008. She enjoys spending her time outside in nature and by water. She has travelled to over 25 countries, but her favourite place to be is walking her dog in the forests of Parry Sound District. She believes children should have the freedom to explore, discover and learn outdoors. Krystal hopes to help children develop a lifelong relationship between themselves and the environment.

From a young age, Yvonne has spent a lot of time outdoors, and is grateful to be able to share the same love of being outside with the children of Parry Sound Forest School! She has an advanced diploma in Ecosystem Management Technology from Fleming College, an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from York University, and a Masters degree in Environmental Studies, specializing in Sense of Place and Belonging from York University. She is grateful to be able to combine her experience in child care with education in an outdoor setting. In her free time, Yvonne continues to be curious about the world around her through hiking, camping, or canoeing, and creates watercolour paintings inspired by the natural world.

Coming into a full year with PSFS, Rachel is grateful to deepen her connection to the land alongside the many curious and adventurous children. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees. When Rachel is not outside, she is in the classroom as an Occasional Teacher within the Near North District School Board. Rachel has taught dance and drama for over 10 years and is currently working on her Forest and Nature School Practitioners certification with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. Rachel enjoys cooking over the fire, foraging and understanding the interconnectedness of the forest. She is excited to share these things with the children.

Paul Charlebois is joining us on an Indigenous grant from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). He taught at Tiny Forest Academy and has 14 years of experience in woodworking and home renovations. Paul is rooted in his Mètis culture and identity and looks forward to sharing Indigenous knowledge and ways of being with the children. He believes that connecting with nature is the best way to ground and connect with ourselves. Paul is a whittling enthusiast and enjoys foraging in the forest. He loves to sing and share stories with the children. Paul is excited to be at PSFS and experience all that it has to offer.

Rachael is a PSHS student who has been with us for just over a year now. She will be attending Nipissing University to pursue a career in teaching come the fall! She loves to be near or on the water in the summer and in the winter. She is in Parry Sound High School’s wind ensemble and has been very successful in their competitions this year so far. She loves to play volleyball and was a competitive dancer for 7+ years. Rachael is so thankful for the opportunity to experience what it is like to teach young people before her formal schooling. She has a passion for video production and writing children’s stories or poetry, which we have been lucky enough to experience at PSFS!! We're happy to have her with us full time this summer!!

This is Rachel's second summer with the Forest School and she is so grateful to be able to continue to learn from and connect with nature alongside the children this summer! Rachel holds a degree in Biomedical Sciences and is finishing up her Bachelor of Education degree at Nipissing University (one more year left!). She loves spending time on Georgian Bay camping, hiking and fishing with family and friends. Rachel believes that children should be given the opportunity to play in, explore and learn from nature’s playground as much as possible. It is her goal to promote an inclusive and engaging space at Forest School where every child can thrive in the outdoor environment.

Sarah is thrilled to be returning for her second summer at Parry Sound Forest School! During the school year, she works as an Occasional Teacher for the Near North District School Board.

When she's not in the classroom or at Forest School, you can often find her at her family cottage on the Georgian Bay near Britt, ON, or exploring one of her favourite Ontario Parks, most likely Noganosh Lake or Killarney!

Sarah believes that forest school offers children invaluable opportunities for their overall development. She strives to cultivate an environment that fosters inquiry, exploration and reflection, allowing children to develop lifelong skills through a profound connection to their surrounding ecosystem and a genuine appreciation for nature.

Ashley has been at Parry Sound Forest School for three summers now. She is registered with the Ontario College of Teachers and has currently acquired a contract position at the Simcoe County District School Board.

Ashley grew up in Parry Sound and as a kid she loved being outside playing in the water, catching frogs and snakes, going camping and hiking with her brothers.

Ashley still loves to get her hands dirty and find new creatures when out on adventures. She believes that every child should enjoy as much time as possible outside and increase their vitamin nature intake.

Ashley is overjoyed to continue to learn with the children at the Forest School and see what incredible new things they can find together.

Meghan is our awesome Administrative Assistant. She was born and raised in Parry Sound, and after completing University she moved to Toronto for work, where she was a Sr. Financial Advisor for the Ministry of Community and Social Services. She moved back to Parry Sound in 2016 to raise her son and has since had a daughter. She loves being in the outdoors and thinks children should spend as much time as possible exploring nature. She has a rustic family cottage on Georgian Bay where she spends most of her summers enjoying fishing, kayaking, and spending time with her family.

Blair Clements, our long-time volunteer, was a classroom teacher for twenty years. He continues to enjoy spending time in nature with children and is sure to bring a smile to faces young and old with his unique sense of humour!

Jaime-Lee Heidman is our full time volunteer! She grew up playing in the forests around her childhood home in McDougall and is keen to share her love of nature, arts and crafts and music.

Kristen has spent much of her life exploring the outdoors and deepening her sense of relationship with local places. She has worked to document and conserve important wild species and spaces in central Ontario and through that work became passionate about exploring ways of fostering human-nature relationship for the benefit of people and the planet. Her most cherished moments are spent canoe tripping and exploring the outdoors with her daughters and their dog.

She holds a diploma of ecosystem management from Fleming college and is currently completing a personalized undergraduate degree in environmental health education from Trent University as well as the Forest and Nature School Practitioner Course through Child and Nature Alliance of Canada.

Kristen is excited to join PSFS on a part-time basis to put her learning into practice and encourage children to thrive and grow in relationship with land and place.