denise iszczuk
President
Denise strives to connect youth and their natural world to empower them toward environmental responsibility. Denise has her BSc in Geography and Environmental Science and is certified instructor for CWF's Project Wild. Denise lives and works as a conservation educator in southwestern Ontario. She is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to the OSEE board.
Alison Ellwood
Vice President
After many years of backcountry guiding and working in the realm of sustainable development in Canada and abroad, Alison pursued her teaching career including a Masters Degree in Environmental Education and Communication from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. Alison currently works in the Indigenous Education Department for the Durham District School Board as an Outdoor and Environmental Education Coach. She loves nothing more than exploring and learning outside with students and taking action for a more sustainable and equitable world.
Stacie Goldin
Director-at-Large
Stacie has been an OCT certified educator since 1995, teaching children of all ages. Through an organic, meandering path, where she had the opportunity to work as the in-house educational consultant at tvokids for 13 years, a children’s yoga instructor, an educational consultant for children’s media and volunteer farm-hand at an organic vegetable farm for 4 years, (and wearing may other hats), she now finds herself teaching at a private school in Toronto as their Environmental Coordinator, using the school’s large teaching garden in curriculum-connected ways with children 2-13 years old.
Rene Gualtieri
Director-at-large
Rene has her BEd in Education and BEs in Environmental Studies from York University. She went on to study at UBC and holds a post-graduate diploma in Outdoor Environmental Education. Rene pursued her teaching career at Fronterra Farm in Prince Edward County, Ontario to take on the role of educator and create a nature based learning program that incorporates curriculum, social emotional learning, gardening and nurturing a love for the outdoors. She hopes in future to work in an outreach role and collaborate with Indigenous knowledge keepers to enrich learning and connections to our environment.
Lee McArthur
Director-at-large
Lee McArthur and happy to be here! I am a seasoned educator, experienced school principal, and feet on the ground teacher / learner at heart. I have worked in the public system with all grades from K to 12. I have also been lucky to be a teacher at forest schools. As an educator I have continuously brought in local expertise and forged alliances with conservation authorities, community groups, local businesses, and funding organizations. These alliances are essential for the work. Together we plant trees, naturalize school yards, build outdoor spaces, facilitate outdoor experiences, deepen our learning and generally get children and youth outdoors and connected with nature. My journey in education continues as principal of Kikendaasogamig Elementary School within Neyashiinigmiing, community of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (CNUFN). I am honoured to work with the CNUFN community in this role. Concurrently, I am working on a PhD at Trent University in education for sustainability, specifically wild pedagogies which foster relationship and eco-connection with the more-than-human-world.
Melanie Jefferson
Director-at-Large
Christopher St Peters
Director-at-large
Christopher is a Conservation Educator. He created a program called “Adventures With Nature” that teaches all about how to be a good neighbour to our wildlife pals. Christopher studied at Trent University and received both his Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies and Bachelor of Education. He is a supply Teacher with UGDSB who hopes to one day open a Conservation Education Centre.