OUR STAFF
Lindsay Coulter
Program Coordinator
Lindsay Coulter (she/her) is an educator, naturalist, facilitator, writer, gardener,
equine enthusiast, and parent. Her work has been to coach, mentor and
educate parents, teachers, and childcare staff to foster a deep connection
with the living world. She’s developed practices and resources for children and
youth to connect to the Earth as a source of energy and love that can support
them. She’s a co-founder and former Director at EPIC Learning Centre, a
forest and nature school in Victoria, B.C. Lindsay created EPIC to embrace a
forest and nature school philosophy to address disconnection from the self,
others, and the living world. From here, she believes we can begin to reconcile
some of the root causes of our climate emergency and the high rates of
environmental violence. Uncertain and chaotic times are calling educators into a new way of creating safety. Time in nature in relationship with non-human kin is fundamental to human well being. Lindsay is also inspired by the attachment-based developmental approach which focuses on rest, play and relationship. She recently trained with Dr. Gordon Neufeld and has taken many courses through the Neufeld Institute to understand how to help children feel safe in a wounding world and support a child’s potential. She’s the former David Suzuki’s Queen of Green TM with expertise as a public engagement specialist and loved being Canada’s “green living expert” for over a decade with national TV appearances, as well as syndication on radio and in print.
Lindsay is a creator of culture and ritualist who serves as a community catalyst, compassion cultivator, and soul activist. She teaches contemplative practices and leads eco-grief circles and workshops for all ages. See her insights and inspiration @SaneAction on Facebook and Instagram. In her spare time she is a Pulling Together volunteer Lead Steward for Saanich Parks in Haro Woods and a facilitator of Equine Assisted Learning at Heart Lake Farm.
“I have a deep appreciation for the mystery, wonder and awe of life. I thrive when being a part of
something bigger than myself. I lead with compassion and insight and have trained in disciplines like compassion cultivation, compassionate inquiry, grief and resiliency and warriorship.”
Robin L.
Manager, ECE
Educator for all full day 3-5 year old programs
We are so fortunate to have Robin (she/her) back for the 10th year as manager and full-time ECE at the Victoria Nature School. Robin is a certified forest school practitioner and an enthusiastic outdoor educator who has been exploring nature with children for over 20 years. She began as a daycare provider in Northern BC for over ten years before relocating to Saanich with her husband and two sons. She then continued teaching both preschool and school-age groups through various rec centre programs.
"I strive to inspire students sense of wonder during their many child-led adventures on the mountain, in the forest, and at the ocean and believe that outdoor learning fosters children's resilience, self-esteem, leadership and social skills as well as improving their physical literacy. I trust that whatever the group is interested in learning is worth investigating in detail and believe that these early outdoor experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love and stewardship of our natural environment."
When not in the forest at VNS Robin can be found at her eldest sons soccer games, teaching kids weekend cooking classes or being the volunteer shipping department for her youngest sons technology enterprises.
Andrew F.
ECE-A
Educator for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 3-5 year old full day program
Andrew (he/him) has worked as an Early Childhood Educator Assistant since 2019. Before
joining VNS, he worked with kids of diverse abilities for several years. He also spent five
years bicycling with a multi-age group to parks across Victoria, rain or shine, as a field trip supervisor for Oak and Orca Bioregional School.
"Reflecting on my time in outdoor education, I'm grateful for the experience of connecting with students, teachers, and natural spaces while having fun and learning together. I've seen my own and others' resilience and wonder grow. "
He lives with his partner and their daughter and enjoys yoga, music and meditation.
His favourite colour is azure (sky blue).
Jenny T.
ECE-A
Educator for Tuesday & Thursday 3-5 year old full day program
Jenny got her ECEA certification at Camosun College and recently
graduated at the University of Victoria with a Child and Youth Care degree.
Her last practicum placement was at VNS where she had the opportunity
to work with different classes (e.g., the morning and full day 3-5
year old and the fox den programs). “It was a new experience for me where
children had the power and freedom to choose how they wanted to spend
their day. I enjoy offering them quality time to explore (make mistakes and
find new solutions), which scaffold their natural curiosity of the world. This motivated me to be more creative, hands-on and embrace the different forms of play that brings upon many benefits.” She looks forward to continuing to build rapport with all the educators and children as well as learning more about nature. Jenny loves to spend time with her siblings, watch dramas/movies and stroll around the neighbourhood basking in the sunlight.
Juliana G.
ECE-IT-SN, B.Ed
Educator for 3-5 year old full day program Monday to Friday
Juliana has an Honours Bachelor degree is Early Childhood Leadership and certified ECE with special certification in infant/toddler and special needs. She worked as an ECE and 1 on 1 educator for children 7 months to 5 years old since 2016 in various child care centres in Ontario and British Columbia.
Originally from southwestern Ontario. She moved to the West Coast for an internship at a nature school in Squamish, B.C. In 2021, she moved to Victoria with her boyfriend and dog, Boba. This year will be her first with VNS.
"I believe every child should get the opportunity to truly explore nature and all the gifts it has to offer. Four pillars I use as my foundations of learning and teaching are: belonging, expression, engagement and well-being. I strive to ensure every child feels welcomed, can express themselves (verbally or through art), come to me for support, and engage in play and learning using the forest as my classroom environment."
When she isn't playing at VNS's Robin's Nest, you'll find her hiking with her pup Boba, scuba diving and paddle boarding. She is artistic and enjoys painting landscapes and doing embroidery.
Bela S.
Forest Educator
Educator for Monday & Wednesday Fox Den Programs
Bela is starting starting her forth year with VNS. She is a certified forest school
practitioner and received her Hon. BSc specializing in Ecology from the University of Toronto. After working in the field of environmental assessment, she began providing supportive educational learning to children. She spent over 10 years, running a gymnastics centre and coaching kids of all ages. Children are her passion, as is the great outdoors.
"I am living my dream of helping kids to connect with all the wonders that our natural world has to offer. I feel blessed to watch their little minds and little hearts grow as they explore and play in beautiful Mount Doug".
Bela loves adventure and her family. She is happiest when she is taking her boys camping into the backcountry, climbing or wandering in the wilderness.
Kirsten D.
Forest Educator, B.Ed,
Educator for Monday & Wednesday Fox Den Programs
Kirsten (she/her) is a certified B.C. teacher, certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner and park naturalist. She is working at VNS for her fourth year!
She is passionate about spending time outside and supports friends and her community to play and explore the world through a nature lens. Her happy place is swimming in a lake or the ocean, wandering through the beautiful Garry Oak meadows or hiking in local forests. Connecting deeper with nature and gaining a sense of place on this Earth, grounded her to pursue her passion for environmental and outdoor, place-based learning for the past 20 years. Kirsten is inspired by these places and wants to learn more about the natural world to foster a sense of belonging among the trees and waterways.
Kirsten grew up in Southern Ontario on the traditional land of Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe people. She moved to Vancouver Island in 2014. She feels a great sense of connection to the Orca whale who travels long distances over the course of their lifetime. She encourages you to "come play, explore and expand your imagination this year at Fox Den! We will sing, create and share stories, and go on incredible adventures through the forest and spend time together by the ocean."
Lauren F.
One-on-One Student Support
My name is Lauren (she/her) and I am excited to join Victoria Nature School this year. I have been working with children in many different environments since I was as young as 13. Over the years, I have been a horseback riding coach, an outdoor educator, and a school garden educator. I love learning about all things related to the outdoors, such as exploring plants, hiking, gardening, and horse riding. I have spent the last year specializing in supporting neurodiverse children, focusing on neurodiversity-affirming care. I am also currently finishing my undergraduate degree in Psychology at UVIC. I plan to continue my journey of learning and growing my skills as an educator and exploring the wonders of the outdoors! I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this special program!
