Our Staff
Leigh Bird (B.Sc., B.Ed., MA Environmental Education & Communication)
Leigh Bird
(B.Sc., B.Ed., MA Environmental Education & Communication)
An observer by nature, Leigh Bird has created the Free Bird Nature School after decades of work with children in diverse educational settings. From her working in classrooms and outdoor education centres as a certified teacher; as well as leading canoe trips and yoga sessions; she brings a philosophy of education and child development that focuses on helping a child discover, not only themselves, but also the ecosystems and communities they are a part of.
Inquiry, the basis of discovery, comes naturally to Leigh who is trained in it from scientific and philosophical perspectives. Her calm, patient guidance provides her students with a positive space to learn, for themselves, the skills of observation, problem solving, synthesis and reflection that will set the foundation for a life of appreciation and wonder.
Equally at home in her garden or in the backcountry, Leigh can find the wonder of nature wherever she looks and knows how to keep it fun even when the black flies are biting and the rain is pouring!
Allie Artuso
After completing her undergrad in psychology, biology and business Allie worked in business for ten years. Allie recently decided to change careers for something she passionate about and pursue a career in teaching.
She graduated from Bachelor of Education program at Queen’s University, and is excited about teaching at the nature school. Allie enjoy staying active by playing team sports – she’s a roller derby coach for both adults and children in Guelph. She also loves spending time outdoors in any season. Skating and snowboarding are her favourite winter activities, and loves trail biking and hiking in the warmer months.
She has travelled across Canada and experienced nature while camping and hiking across the country. I’m excited to explore the outdoors with the students at the nature school!
Whitney Matusiak
Whitney likes getting messy, watching the clouds and building things no one asked for. She comes from an engineering and natural sciences background, and in a past life worked on river restoration studies and source water protection plans for the province.
Whitney has taken up gardening and cross-country skiing with a trial and error approach, and she and her family bring the scientific method on their many adventures hiking, camping and kayaking. She loves working and volunteering with children and seniors in the community and is a passionate advocate for their storytelling.