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Work Study Students

2024-2025

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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!

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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.

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Anna Sadikov

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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! 

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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!

Past Work Study Students

Katherine Chen, a past work study student. Katherine is wearing a teal shirt, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. Katherine is smiling while seated on a rock and holding a camera. Katherine is in front of a ravine with large trees and a blue sky behind her.

Katherine Chen

Asha, a past work study student. Asha is petting a white cat while smiling. Asha is wearing glasses, a red shirt, and a gray woolen shawl. There is a bookshelf filled with books and a framed painting on the wall behind Asha.

Asha Bruce

Edward Larocque, a work study student. Edward has short dark hair and a pair of glasses, and they are in a natural space next to a lake.

Edward Larocque

Kanchana Madulaarachchi, a past work study student. Kanchana is smiling with a hat and next to a lake

Kanchana

Madulaarachchi

Maham, a past work study student. Maham is wearing a floral dress and a light blue hijab. Maham is walking away from the camera into a forested area of tall trees, sparsely spread out around her.

Maham Tabassum

Megan, a past work study student. Megan is looking into the distance and smiling. Megan has short brown hair, and is wearing a teal earring, a heart-shaped necklace, and a jean jacket over a black shirt with a leather strap across Megan's chest. There is a shoreline with a short sandy beach and a grassy area behind Megan. Beyond the grassy area, there are a few trees and houses.

Megan Abley

Adia Mojsiak, a past work study student. Adia is smiling in an outdoor space with a lot of ice.

Adia Mojsiak

Haleigh Brody, a past work study student. Haleigh is smiling with long golden hair while laying on the grass

Haleigh Brody

Betty, a past work study student. Betty is wearing a red top and blue jeans, sitting cross-legged on the grass surrounded by fallen leaves. There are trees with red, green, and orange leaves and three benches behind Betty.

Betty Luo

Amelia, a past work study student. Amelia is wearing a cream-coloured top and smiling widely. Amelia is standing in front of a large tree and forested area.

Amelia Rutledge

Georgia, a past work study student. Georgia is staring pensively at the camera. Georgia has shoulder-length brown hair, and is wearing a light teal jacket. There is a large tree directly behind Georgia. Beyond that tree, there is a shoreline with a pebble beach and larger rocks near the water.

Georgia St. John

Aleksa Nitsis, a past work study student. Aleksa is smiling with long curly golden hair in an outdoor space with plants

Aleksa Nitsis

Kate Barrett, a past work study student. Kate is smiling in an outdoor space with mountains and a lake

Kate Barrett

Brandon Hewitt, a past work study student. Brandon is smiling with long curly hair in an outdoor space next to a lake.

Brandon Hewitt

Lauren Rzepecki, a past work study student. Lauren is in a natural space and their face is hidden behind a book

Lauren Rzepecki

Sam Kilpatrick, a past work study student. Sam is writing at a table

Sam Kilpatrick

Colleen Cornett, a past work study student. Colleen is smiling with a pair of sunglasses and a hat in a natural space with lots of trees

Colleen Cornett

Amanda Santos, a past work study student. Amanda is smiling with long curly dark hair in front of leaves

Amanda Santos

Mariah Martin, a past work study student. Mariah is smiling with golden long hair in front of a green field

Mariah Martin

Anna Silverstein, a past work study student. Anna is in a natural space and has half of their face hidden behind a leaf of vegitable

Anna Silverstein 

Corinna Di Luciano.jpg

Corinna Luciano

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Naomi Milla-Koch

Megan, a work study student. Megan has shoulder-length black hair and is wearing glasses and a black woolen sweater. Megan is smiling in front of a snowy background. There is a building behind Megan.

Past Work Study Students

Katherine Chen, a past work study student. Katherine is wearing a teal shirt, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. Katherine is smiling while seated on a rock and holding a camera. Katherine is in front of a ravine with large trees and a blue sky behind her.

Katherine Chen

Asha, a past work study student. Asha is petting a white cat while smiling. Asha is wearing glasses, a red shirt, and a gray woolen shawl. There is a bookshelf filled with books and a framed painting on the wall behind Asha.

Asha Bruce

Edward Larocque, a work study student. Edward has short dark hair and a pair of glasses, and they are in a natural space next to a lake.

Edward Larocque

Kanchana Madulaarachchi, a past work study student. Kanchana is smiling with a hat and next to a lake

Kanchana

Madulaarachchi

Maham, a past work study student. Maham is wearing a floral dress and a light blue hijab. Maham is walking away from the camera into a forested area of tall trees, sparsely spread out around her.

Maham Tabassum

Megan, a past work study student. Megan is looking into the distance and smiling. Megan has short brown hair, and is wearing a teal earring, a heart-shaped necklace, and a jean jacket over a black shirt with a leather strap across Megan's chest. There is a shoreline with a short sandy beach and a grassy area behind Megan. Beyond the grassy area, there are a few trees and houses.

Megan Abley

Adia Mojsiak, a past work study student. Adia is smiling in an outdoor space with a lot of ice.

Adia Mojsiak

Haleigh Brody, a past work study student. Haleigh is smiling with long golden hair while laying on the grass

Haleigh Brody

Betty, a past work study student. Betty is wearing a red top and blue jeans, sitting cross-legged on the grass surrounded by fallen leaves. There are trees with red, green, and orange leaves and three benches behind Betty.

Betty Luo

Amelia, a past work study student. Amelia is wearing a cream-coloured top and smiling widely. Amelia is standing in front of a large tree and forested area.

Amelia Rutledge

Georgia, a past work study student. Georgia is staring pensively at the camera. Georgia has shoulder-length brown hair, and is wearing a light teal jacket. There is a large tree directly behind Georgia. Beyond that tree, there is a shoreline with a pebble beach and larger rocks near the water.

Georgia St. John

Aleksa Nitsis, a past work study student. Aleksa is smiling with long curly golden hair in an outdoor space with plants

Aleksa Nitsis

Kate Barrett, a past work study student. Kate is smiling in an outdoor space with mountains and a lake

Kate Barrett

Brandon Hewitt, a past work study student. Brandon is smiling with long curly hair in an outdoor space next to a lake.

Brandon Hewitt

Lauren Rzepecki, a past work study student. Lauren is in a natural space and their face is hidden behind a book

Lauren Rzepecki

Sam Kilpatrick, a past work study student. Sam is writing at a table

Sam Kilpatrick

Colleen Cornett, a past work study student. Colleen is smiling with a pair of sunglasses and a hat in a natural space with lots of trees

Colleen Cornett

Corinna Di Luciano.jpg

Corinna Luciano

Gladys Cen.jpeg

Gladys Cen

Amanda Santos, a past work study student. Amanda is smiling with long curly dark hair in front of leaves

Amanda Santos

Naomi Milla-Koch.JPG

Naomi Milla-Koch

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Joshua Shanthiyapillai

Mariah Martin, a past work study student. Mariah is smiling with golden long hair in front of a green field

Mariah Martin

Anna Silverstein, a past work study student. Anna is in a natural space and has half of their face hidden behind a leaf of vegitable

Anna Silverstein 

Megan, a work study student. Megan has shoulder-length black hair and is wearing glasses and a black woolen sweater. Megan is smiling in front of a snowy background. There is a building behind Megan.

Megan Pham-Quan

Myah Birrell

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Stephanie Sun
 

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Katie Healy

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Hannah Mathew

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