About our Educators
Meet the OMFS Team of Forest School Educators…
MELISSA MARCHAND
OMFS DIRECTOR
Mel started working at OMFS as an educator in 2022 while pursuing her Bachelor of Education at Lakehead University. When the opportunity presented itself, Mel and her family decided to take on a bigger role at OMFS, becoming the new owners and directors.
Mel first fell in love with all things outdoors while spending a few seasons working in the Rockies. Here, she had the freedom to hike and explore and has never stopped since. Her favourite outdoor activities are hiking, running, and spending time near a lake.
Prior to living in Orillia and studying to be a teacher, Mel graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics. Following this, she moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland, with her husband Braden, where she obtained a Master of Arts in Political Science from Memorial University. The focus of her studies at Memorial was issues affecting Indigenous women in Canada. While in St. John’s, Mel had the opportunity to work at an Indigenous marine biology lab analyzing water and animal samples from Northern communities in Labrador, in search of microplastics.
After obtaining her master’s degree, Mel and Braden moved back to Ontario and Mel began teaching French at a private school. This experience was incredibly valuable, and Mel discovered her passion for teaching. She soon began teacher’s college at Lakehead University and moved to Orillia with Braden, their son Nolan, and their dog Rosie. Early in her career, Mel promised herself that she would only work with kids in a scenario that allows her to treat each child with the same love and care that she would treat her own son and that is why she continues to work for OMFS.
Mel is a runner, yoga teacher, book lover, and nature enthusiast.
MELANIE VAN PYPEN
OMFS FOUNDER and EDUCATOR
Melanie is a Forest School Practitioner who finds her greatest joy simply being in the outdoors! She grew up here in Simcoe County playing in her own backyard forest and exploring with her family. After completing her Bachelor of Kinesiology at Lakehead University, she travelled to the far north where she lived, learned, and explored for some time.
In Yukon, she worked as a kinesiologist teaching communication and behavioural strategies to young children with exceptionalities. Concepts of child-led education, intrinsic motivation, and play-based learning were the foundations on which she built her practice. Melanie studied Native Studies at the University of Alaska and worked at the university as an outdoor adventure guide, leading people of all ages to many incredible wilderness locations. It was here she began her family and spent her days in a remote part of the north, gardening, living off-grid, and adventuring the wilds of this majestic land.
Drawn back to the lakes and forests of Ontario, Melanie turned her attention to homeschooling her two young children and began studying Waldorf, Montessori, and Forest School educational philosophies. She spent time working with a local midwifery practice, leading workshops for parents, and teaching babywearing groups regularly. Melanie is a certified children’s (and adult) yoga teacher with experience teaching in school settings, children’s homes, and, of course, in the outdoors! As the founder and an educator at Oro-Medonte Forest School, Melanie teaches with a passion for being in the outdoors, hoping the forest school movement will spark an appreciation for all things wild in the next generation.
Melanie has lived in Oro-Medonte for the past couple of decades and spend her free time swimming year round, canoe tripping, rock climbing, skiing, biking and simply exploring the forests that surround her. When not at Forest School, she can be found in a nearby lake, or training for an upcoming swim. She feels strongly that children are the cornerstone of our future, and exploring alongside children as they play, learn and connect to nature is a gift she is grateful to offer to this community.
JAMES CROSBY
LEAD EDUCATOR
James started his journey as an outdoor educator after graduating from Lakehead Orillia with a Bachelor of Education. Before that, he earned a degree in English Literature from the University of Ottawa. During summers, James first honed his teaching and leadership skills as a camp counsellor and waterfront instructor at Celtic Sports Camp located on the Bruce Peninsula, where his love for outdoor education truly flourished.
Now living year-round on the shores of Georgian Bay, James is deeply connected to the land and water that inspire his work. While guiding students in forest school activities, he strives to nurture curiosity, resilience, and a sense of wonder in every learner.
On his days off, James channels his creativity into making calming, nature-inspired music and exploring the waters of Georgian Bay by sail.
ABBY GREEN
Abby is passionate about combining forest school principles with holistic learning. She believes there is no better way to learn than by being outside! Abby holds a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and is currently pursuing psychotherapy studies. She brings a deep understanding of human development along with hands-on experience in nature-based education.
Abby’s journey with the outdoors began young with canoe trips to Algonquin Park and time exploring both Toronto’s ravines and the Copeland forest where we sometimes teach today! Her love of all things nature-based led to her work as a tree planter, organic farmer, wildland firefighter and eventually outdoor educator. She has facilitated children’s journeys with the outdoors through guiding activities at an education centre in Haliburton and on a farm near Toronto.
She has also spent a couple of summers working at a non-profit land-based learning program for Indigenous youth in BC. Her time there led to a deeper understanding of the history of the land that is now called Canada, her role as a settler, and the importance of honoring Indigenous knowledge. Just like her knowledge of nature, Abby is continuing in her journey learning about these issues.
In the summers Abby works as a wildfire firefighter enjoying time spent in nature. Outside of forest school you can find Abby hiking, canoeing, biking, climbing, enjoying a yoga practice or a good book. She deeply loves getting to be a part of children’s connections with the environment.
CHLOE BRIGHT
Chloe comes to us as a mom of 3 wonderful children, an educator with a passion for supporting kids with unique abilities and a flair for the arts. She is passionate about the power of forest school programs as she has experienced the benefits first hand through watchingher children participate in various programs over the years.
Chloe has a background in environmental studies and was able to utilize that in a public sector career that lasted ten years. After having children she was able to reconnect with her true passion— child development and creative arts . She worked for the Simcoe County School Board as an Educational Assistant and has been a respite worker for many families.
Chloe is also improving her skills daily in speaking American Sign Language and has been able to share that gift as a camp counsellor at the Bob rumble camp for the deaf over the last 3 years. She is excited to start this new journey and looks forward guiding children in their forest school experience.
KATI RIDING
Kati discovered her passion for outdoor education while completing her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Studies at Trent University. During the summers, she worked as a private swim instructor and lifeguard for children in her Barrie neighborhood. Through these roles, she recognized the value of one-on-one and small group learning, and the positive impact personalized experiences can have on children’s development.
In her final year at Trent, Kati volunteered as an educator with Camp Kawartha’s Forest School program. This experience showed her how she could combine her love for the environment with her interest in teaching children, using a hands-on, holistic approach to learning. She will begin her Bachelor of Education in the upcoming year.
At Trent, Kati conducted and published her own research on freshwater ecosystems. Her work focused on assessing the health of the Otonabee River by identifying the macroinvertebrate species present in the river’s ecosystem. This research deepened her understanding of ecological indicators and further sparked her passion for environmental science. Kati also had the opportunity to collaborate with the University of the West Indies in Barbados, where she used local knowledge to assess the health of the inshore reef system and the island’s mangrove forests. She hopes to continue exploring global environmental challenges through the lens of traditional ecological knowledge.
Kati spends her weekends at family and friends’ cottages in Muskoka, Ontario, where she developed a strong love for water sports. She also brings over 10 years of experience in competitive club sports and is always eager to join in on an outdoor game. In her spare time, Kati enjoys running, listening to music, and spending time with friends.
MARI HEWSON
FOREST KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Mari first discovered her passion for outdoor learning when she was 16 years old, working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at a summer camp. She continued lifeguarding while completing her Bachelor of Commerce in Victoria, B.C, where she biked to work and school everyday year round, and fell in love with the outdoor lifestyle on the West Coast.
She also enjoyed spending summers in Banff, Alberta, working as a boat driver and tour guide on beautiful Lake Minnewanka, and hiking the mountains on her time off. She quickly got the travel bug, and after graduating, spent a few years in South Korea teaching kindergarten at a private school while exploring the rest of the country.
She returned home to complete post-graduate studies in Emergency Management, and applied this knowledge working in leadership roles for the Federal Government for almost 10 years before starting a family.
She’s attended OMFS with her two children since 2021, and found a deep appreciation for the benefits that forest school offers people of all ages! She is truly passionate about outdoor learning and helping children to foster a sense of wonder for the natural world.
ABBY GREGSON
Abby is currently a Child and Youth Care student at Georgian College. The field of Child and Youth Care focuses on building supportive, therapeutic relationships with children, youth, and families through various practices. It’s a career that requires empathy, resilience, and a strong dedication to helping young people succeed, and it’s one she is deeply passionate about.
One of her greatest joys is travelling, as it allows her to explore new cultures, perspectives, and ways of life; experiences that she believes broaden her understanding of the diverse needs of the children and youth she will one day work with. She is also eager to continue her education in the future, aiming to become a child counsellor to continue supporting young people on a deeper, more clinical level.
This year, Abby is completing her placement with Oro Medonte Forest School, and she is excited for the opportunity to connect with children in a natural, outdoor environment. Abby believes that nature can be a powerful tool in developing emotional well-being, curiosity, and confidence in children, and she looks forward to growing both personally and professionally through this experience.
NAT VILLENEUVE
Nat is a Social Worker (MSW, RSW) who understands how important nature is for our wellbeing. After completing her Master of Social Work at McGill University, Nat moved to Toronto where she has been working as a trauma therapist with youth and adults, and she is passionate about learning how Indigenous knowledge can help people to heal. Nat works alongside Indigenous Elders and participates in ceremony to learn how she, as a mixed-ancestry settler, can share the wisdom of Indigenous teachings to help our world to heal.
Nat spent much of her childhood outdoors in North Bay, Ontario, where she developed her love for the land. Growing up, Nat always loved having bonfires, hiking in the woods, finding insects, observing plants, and sleeping under the stars. Now, she has added mushroom foraging to her favourite outdoor activities, and she continues to learn about the extraordinary ways that fungi help the Earth grow.
Forest School Teacher Training
Our aim is to encourage all OMFS teachers to take part in the Forest School Canada Practitioners course, a forest school teacher training course that has been developed to build strong, cohesive, and reputable forest school communities of practice across Canada. They also offer other relevant courses and workshops which our teachers will prioritize, staying up to date with current practice.
OMFS has been and will continue to be a host site for the Practitioners course – for more information and to register for this course, please visit http://childnature.ca/forest-school-canada/
Registration for this course is done through Forest School Canada – please contact their organization with your questions etc.
Join Our Team
Interested in joining our team? We're looking for folks like you!
Our Mission
Oro Medonte Forest School’s mission is to create an educational community that fosters rich, experiential learning, age appropriate ecological literacy, and promotes healthy living by connecting children to nature through the use of the Forest School model in the foundational early years.
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