Work Study Students
2024-2025
Julia Coppa
Julia is a guest on Turtle Island and is a first-year teacher candidate in the MA Child Study & Education program at OISE. Before coming to OISE, Julia completed her undergraduate degree at Trent University Durham GTA in Child Studies and Teachers Education. Julia has worked in several educational settings, such as mentorship programs and camp counselling. Julia is passionate about socio-emotional development within the education system and is excited to embark on her teaching career!
Describe a place in our natural world that you feel connected to.
Growing up in Uxbridge, Ontario I have the luxury to be constantly surrounded by trails, trees and open fields. The trails in my hometown in the Durham Forest are so serene and relaxing. I feel most connected when I am able to be alone with my thoughts and go on hikes through the trails. I also love to take my bike!
Meagan Dellavilla
Graduate Assistant
Meagan (she/her) is in her first year of the MEd Counselling Psychology program at OISE. Building off a master's degree in Environmental Studies, a graduate certificate in Environmental and Sustainability Education, and over a decade of work experience focused on food systems, health equity and environmental justice, she is eager to explore nature-based approaches to psychotherapy. Outside of her work and studies, she is actively involved in land stewardship and gardening projects. Born and raised in upstate NY (traditional territory of the Seneca Nation), Meagan is continuously exploring her responsibilities as a guest on Turtle Island, as well as her Italian, Irish, Welsh and German ancestry.
Describe a place in our natural world that you feel connected to.
Wild and "weedy" gardens. I find so much wonder among the abundant colors, shapes, heights, and biodiversity. For similar reasons, I am also starting to feel at home deep in the ocean. The diversity of textures and patterns found throughout coral reefs simultaneously stirs and settles me.
Anna Sadikov
Sachi Shukul
Anna is a guest on Turtle Island and lives on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabek, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Huron-Wendat, along with many other Indigenous peoples. Anna is a passionate teacher-candidate pursuing a Masters of Arts in Child Study and Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She has over five years of experience working directly with children across diverse learning settings such as elementary classrooms, after-school programs, and summer camps.
Anna draws on her experience leading outdoor workshops that merge art and land-based exploration to nurture children's curiosity and instill a sense of environmental stewardship within education. Guided by a child-centered approach to teaching, she strives to create inclusive environments that deepen children's connection to their local surroundings, prioritizing accessible and engaging learning for all. Anna is thrilled to support Natural Curiosity's mission of transforming educational practices in nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious learners.
Describe a place in our natural world that you feel connected to.
The place I feel most connected to is my local park. I enjoy spending time there walking, running, or biking along the trails, and having picnics with loved ones. What I enjoy most about the park is hearing birds singing, seeing bunnies hopping, and spotting snails and butterflies. I find joy in discovering different plants and leaves, and simply listening to the sounds of nature. Every time I visit the park, I always find something new to appreciate.
Sachi is a guest on Turtle Island and lives on the traditional lands of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the land that is home to the Metis; and most recently, the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are direct descendants of the Mississaugas of the Credit.
Sachi is currently a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education student at the University of Toronto (OISE). Sachi completed her Early Childhood Studies undergraduate degree at Toronto Metropolitan University along with a minor in Child and Youth Care. Sachi has a passion for children’s rights and advocacy which she hopes to use towards her work in child rights, research and education as well as in future advocacy efforts. Sachi also works as a child and youth participant coordinator for an international child rights partnership! Through her work with children, Sachi hopes to create equitable, secure, and positive spaces for all children to learn and grow in.
Describe a place in our natural world that you feel connected to.
Ever since I was a child, I have always enjoyed being in water. Whether it was during swimming classes, visits to the beach with family, or simply jumping into puddles during evening walks, I often felt at peace and a sense of joy. I truly feel that water can be so healing for a person on both the inside and the outside. Water never fails to make me feel refreshed and at ease!
Molly Crabtree
Molly is currently in her second year of the Master of Child Study and Education program at OISE, University of Toronto. As a guest on Turtle Island, she is dedicated to integrating outdoor education into her teaching practice, drawing on years of experience as an outdoor educator with preschool and kindergarten-aged children. Molly holds an undergraduate degree in Film and Media from Queen’s University and enjoys combining her passion for the arts with her commitment to fostering a connection to nature in her students.
Describe a place in our natural world that you feel connected to.
Beausoleil Island (Skiondechiara) is the place in nature where I feel most connected. I was fortunate to attend overnight camp there throughout my childhood and into early adulthood, and it shaped me into the person I am today! The island fostered my love for the outdoors and provided me with lifelong friendships. Being there always brings a profound sense of connection, not just to the natural world but also to the people I share it with!