A writer, wanderer, thinker, educator and mother – Mariah envisions a world where every child has the opportunity to explore, learn and immerse themselves in their own passions and connect intimately with nature. She believes in giving each child the time and space to learn who they are and how they learn, and nurture their unique curiosities through play.
Mariah works hard to recognize and dismantle the barriers that prevent youth from benefiting from nature immersion programs. She holds a strong belief that an early and authentic connection to nature and freedom of play are the building blocks to a lifelong journey of self awareness.

Penney is excited to be a part of the Ignited Learning Team, combining her love and passion for teaching children and connecting it to the outdoors. Igniting curiosity in children is at the core of her teaching.

She is a OCT teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience in the Public School Board and most recently, the Private School system. She has had varied opportunities to foster creativity and the love of learning for many, both indoors and outdoors. Penney is an educator, an avid gardener, a mother of two, a grandmother of two, who enjoys working with children and the outdoors. Sharing her love of the outdoors with children has just come naturally! Penney will be facilitating the parent and child nature class!

I’m an early education consultant, health coach, and former childcare center owner with a deep passion for fostering meaningful learning experiences. My journey has taken me from facilitating kindergarten programs to designing interactive workshops that empower early childhood educators.

At the heart of my work is a commitment to igniting creativity, inspiring confidence, and bringing joy back into childcare settings. I love curating hands-on workshops that encourage educators to step out of their comfort zones, embrace child-led exploration, and create engaging learning environments. I thrive on learning, observing, and connecting—let’s spark creativity, play, and possibility together!

Peter Chris loves being outside in the woods observing the kids play. Through this observation, Peter loves to bring in new innovative ideas to the program that extends their learning. He loves facilitating a hands-on approach with the children and is a self learned wood worker. Along with his role as an ILC educator, he also works behind the scenes on programming and the technical aspects of the business. He’s a dad to two children and loves getting out in nature with them! Peter’s hope is that Ignited Learning Centre evolves and grows with a changing world, delivering learning
opportunities that are fun, effective, relevant, and as accessible and welcoming as possible.

I am a passionate educator with a deep love for teaching early years learners. As both an Early Childhood Educator and an Ontario Certified Teacher, I bring a strong foundation in child development and a play-based, hands-on approach to the classroom. At heart, I am a big kid myself, which helps me instantly connect with my students, see the world through their curious eyes, and make learning feel like a fun adventure every single day.

I believe that the best learning happens when children are fully engaged and exploring the world around them. Because of this, I love incorporating STEAM activities that invite young learners to build, test, and create. Read-alouds are another cornerstone of my teaching style. There is pure magic in gathering together for a great story to spark imagination and build a lifelong love of reading. As an passionate outdoor explorer, I also love taking learning outside, using nature as a rich, living classroom to inspire our next big inquiry.

When I am not sparking a love for learning, you can usually find me enjoying quality time with my family, hiking on local trails, or cooking/baking!

I’m an Assistant Facilitator and a proud mom to an amazing boy. I love being outdoors and find so much joy and calm in nature, which I bring into my work with children every day. I’m currently studying to become an Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) and a Forest and Nature Practitioner. I’m also a literacy specialist who enjoys attending markets throughout the year selling books and sharing a love of reading with families. When I’m not learning or teaching, you’ll often find me creating art or making sensory toys that invite children to explore, imagine, and have fun.

I am a mom to three boys and a Registered Nurse with a background in paediatrics. I am also a Folk Herbalist, a HeartMath Resilience Coach, and a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner. Both my professional and personal journeys have deepened my belief in the importance of connecting with ourselves, with one another, and with the natural world around us.

As a Nature Facilitator, I am especially passionate about helping children discover the wonderful world of plants and the magic that grows around them. I love introducing little ones to the plants they encounter each day. We touch their leaves, smell their flowers, notice their textures, learn their names, and explore the stories and traditions they hold.

I believe some of the most meaningful learning happens through curiosity, play, and hands-on exploration. I hope to nurture a sense of wonder and stewardship as children dig in the soil, explore the seasons, and begin to develop a lifelong relationship with the plants and the natural world around them.

Robynn believes that her life’s purpose includes helping and supporting others in living life to the beat of their own drum, simultaneously assisting children in their self exploration through confidently expressing their unique and authentic being.

She is mama of two, a lover of yoga, a world traveler, a nature admirer, and an individual who strives to live life off the beaten path, while supporting others to come alive and to shine their light brightly!

Katrina is an outdoor educator, Early Childhood Educator, certified Ontario teacher, and proud mother of two daughters. She believes some of childhood’s most meaningful moments happen outdoors—through muddy boots, curious questions, big adventures, and the freedom to explore.

As a mother, she is passionate about giving her daughters the same opportunities to wonder, discover, and build a lifelong connection with nature that shaped her own childhood.

Katrina has taught in early years, elementary, and outdoor/environmental education settings since 2008. She loves helping children and families experience the joy of learning outdoors and develop curiosity, confidence, empathy, and care for the natural world.

In 2021, Katrina completed her Master of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication at Royal Roads University. Her research explored nature play and risky play and the role educators can play in fostering empathy and environmental care.

Katrina is thrilled to share her passion for nature, outdoor play, and learning with the children and families at Ignited Learning!

Sara believes nature is the missing piece in our current education systems. She is a University Professor of Mystical Philosophy, a kids yoga instructor, literacy tutor and homeschool pod educator, and a mom of a beautiful boy. She is currently undergoing training as a Forest and Nature School Practitioner inspired by her own child’s love for nature and desire to always be outdoors. Sara began exploring nature-based learning as a pathway for healing the gaps in education systems while teaching at McGill University. Outdoor education improved her students’ self-confidence and fostered positive communal relationships while nurturing their sense of curiosity, responsibility, and wonder in the world. Sara now brings together her experience across these education levels to guide children in developing their innate knowing of their abilities into the brightest expression of their natural selves. Weaving together her past work supporting the socio-emotional development of children, yoga and meditation background, academic teaching expertise, and her deep love and work with nature, Sara strives to cultivate communal experiences of learning that celebrate each child’s unique perspectives and gifts.