Educator Stories

Below are a series of stories from phenomenal educators across Canada.

We hope their stories inspire you as much as they have inspired us.

Are you integrating environmental inquiry or bringing an Indigenous lens to your practice? Sharing stories is an integral part of our professional inquiry. To contribute your story to this growing library of educator stories, please contact naturalcuriosity@utoronto.ca

Nov 18, 20247 min read

From the Classroom to the Community: Rosa Alaimo's Impact on Environmental Advocacy

Meet Rosa Alaimo, a passionate and dedicated grade 8 teacher at Pikangikum First Nation in northern Ontario. In just her fourth year of...

Oct 22, 20246 min read

The Heart of the Matter: Janna Barkman’s Journey of Environmental Inquiry

As project-based learning teacher-advisor, Janna Barkman collaborates with her students to design immersive learning experiences that...

Aug 19, 20243 min read

Amanda Zhang

Fostering Reciprocal Relationships: Amanda Zhang's Journey in Inclusive and Experiential Education Amanda Zhang's journey as an educator...

Jul 23, 20248 min read

Rebecca Seiling

Rebecca Seiling is a passionate educator and founder of Nature Connect. Partnering with the City of Kitchener, she leads enriching forest...

Feb 8, 20243 min read

Laura Whittaker

Environmental Educator Laura Whittaker helps run a small nature preschool called Wind Ridge Schoolhouse in Duluth, MN off of Lake...

Jan 15, 20242 min read

Educator Story Revisited – Chris Dube's Story One Year Later

Every year Natural Curiosity celebrates exemplary teachers through our National Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in...

Dec 3, 20233 min read

Daniel Kunanec

Assistant curriculum leader and teacher of the Emerging Green Technologies and Environmental Stewardship program at Don Mills Collegiate...

Nov 7, 20233 min read

Amanda Humphreys & Jessie Sawyers

Junior school educators and current Grade 1 teachers at the Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, ON, Amanda & Jessie share their pedagogies...

Jul 7, 20235 min read

Ryan Andersen

Ryan Andersen is an elementary classroom teacher at Sprucecourt Public School in downtown Toronto, who has been on a journey with his...

Jun 18, 20233 min read

Ingrid Dabringer

Digital learning experience designer, founder of AdaptED, and former arts educator, Ingrid’s latest learning tools focus on building...

Jun 18, 20233 min read

Kelly Fricker

Primary teacher and liaison between staff, administration, and parent council at the High Park Alternative School in Toronto, ON, Kelly...

Jan 3, 20233 min read

Lee Silden's Story

OISE 2nd Year Teacher Candidate (Master of Teaching) I chose to attend Natural Curiosity’s First Story Tour “Buried Waters: Storying...

Nov 28, 20224 min read

Patrick Gale's Story

Creator of the ECO Academy at Edward Milne Community School (EMCS), an immersive program that weaves together interdisciplinary learning...

Jun 17, 20223 min read

Maria del Carmen Farquharson’s Story

2022 Co-Winner of Natural Curiosity's Dr. David Suzuki Award for Excellence in Pre-Service Environmental Education Maria grew up in Peru,...

Jun 17, 20223 min read

Sandra Dukarm’s Story

2022 Co-Winner of Natural Curiosity's Dr. David Suzuki Award for Excellence in Pre-Service Environmental Education Sandra is a 5th-year...

Jun 15, 20224 min read

Linda & Carmelina's Story

2022 Runner Up for Natural Curiosity's National Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education Linda Ryan and...

Jun 15, 20224 min read

Meera, Joanne, Aleesha, Isabelle, Sarah, Rhonda & James' Story

2022 Runner Up for Natural Curiosity's National Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education The Glenlyon...

Jun 15, 20224 min read

Chris Dube's Story

2022 Grand Prize Winner for Natural Curiosity's National Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education Chris...

May 10, 20223 min read

Hongliang Hu's Story

Honourable Mention for Natural Curiosity's National Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education Hongliang...

Aug 20, 202111 min read

Jennifer Baron & Towana Brooks' Story

2020 Grand Prize Winner, Natural Curiosity's National Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education...