Our Mentor Team
Kim Simpson - she/her
Kim is a director, founder and teacher at Free Spirit Forest and Nature School. Growing up in Collingwood, it’s no wonder she has always had a heart for playing outside and appreciating the great outdoors. She graduated from Brock University’s Health and Physical Education Program, where she developed a deep understanding of play-based learning. She completed a Bachelor of Education in Outdoor Ecological and Experiential Education at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Through this program, she learned the significant influence that meaningful outdoor, experiential education and Nature-connection can have on the whole-child, and how essential it is for the development of today’s youth. This set her on the trail to become a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner.
Kim’s love for being outside extends into many past work experiences. She has spent summers planting trees across Canada, working as a guide and camp counselor throughout Ontario, and has supported youth in various outdoor therapeutic settings. In her free time, she enjoys camping, gardening, and being on the water. You can usually find her wandering slowly through the forest with her three daughters.
Matt Simpson - he/him
Matt is a director and founder of Free Spirit Forest and Nature School. He has dedicated his life to working with children and is passionate for the outdoors and its use in empowering students through meaningful experiences. He graduated from Lakehead University with degrees in Outdoor Recreation and Geography, as well as a BEd in Outdoor Ecological and Experiential Education. He is a graduate of the NOLS Outdoor Educator program and a certified Forest and Nature School teacher with Forest School Canada.
Matt has spent years in mentor roles both in and out of the classroom, here and abroad (South Korea and Ghana). He has worked in various settings as a camp counselor, outdoor guide, and extensively as a project leader with Katimavik all across Canada. He is a father of four amazing girls and now more than ever understands the importance of nurturing connection with Self, Others and Nature. You can usually find him hiking local trails, paddling local rivers or simply just listening to the birds!
Jesse Neary - he/him
Jesse is a teacher at our Collingwood and Wasaga School. He has a college background in journalism, is trained as a professional chef and paddling guide. He is an avid backcountry adventurer who has spent a lot of time guiding friends and family through unfamiliar territory in the interior. Jesse is also a husband and father to three beautiful children. He has completed several courses in mental health support for children and has vast experience with young people with special needs.
His passions for the outdoors, working with children and being a caretaker for the environment has led him to this position. Passing along the knowledge and experience is very important in the goal of preserving and spreading gratitude to the natural gifts that we are blessed with.
In his off time, you can find him deep in the Algonquin backcountry, fishing in parts unknown, on the trail and developing a lasting bond with his family and nature. If he looks familiar, you may have seen him portaging his canoe through Wasaga Beach in search of the next adventure!
Jackie Vandenberg - she/her
Jackie is a Child and Youth Worker and educator who has dedicated many years to building effective relationships, developing and facilitating programs, providing advocacy and creating community liaisons to improve child, youth and family outcomes and influence positive community capacity. She has experience in a variety of educational, community service and mental health settings.
Jackie has lived, worked, raised her family and played in Simcoe County for thirty years. She is passionate about meaningful relationships and life long learning across generations, to nature and community. You will find her enjoying adventures in the forest, on the trails and in the water.
Rosa Furness - she/her
Rosa Furness is a dedicated professional whose journey has been shaped by her commitment to both the well-being of young minds and the wonders of the great outdoors. Certified as a child and youth counsellor from Seneca College, Rosa’s passion for fostering positive development in children led her to pursue studies in outdoor education at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
With eight years of invaluable experience as an educational assistant within the Upper Grand District School Board, Rosa’s impact on children and youth has been profound. She has provided steadfast support within elementary and secondary school settings, contributing to the educational journey of countless individuals.
Rosa’s enduring passion for outdoor education has led her to facilitate transformative experiences for children in Montessori schools. Outside her professional pursuits, Rosa finds joy in skiing, tennis, water sports, and forest hiking. Yet, her heart finds solace in the simple beauty of nature, particularly on her deck by the Nottawasaga River, where she delights in observing the local wildlife. Rosa Furness stands as a beacon of inspiration, combining her expertise in counseling with her love for the outdoors to guide young individuals toward growth, resilience, and a profound connection to the world around them.
Carrie Francis
Carrie worked in the Fitness and wellness industry for over 15 years including programming at the YMCA. She spent 2 years in Whistler and 1 year in Australia exploring some incredible places. Her gratitude for nature really expanded when she was pregnant with her first born and started making a lot of her own products with locally grown plants and herbs. She’s taken several courses/workshops on gardening, edible landscapes, and mindfulness.
Carrie loves the idea of children learning in the outdoor classroom and used to joke with her daughter (a student of FNS) that she wished she could go to forest school too…. hmm wish come true!
In Carrie’s free time, running is her mediation. She experiences gratitude in the garden and finds stillness in nature. For her, being with kids in nature is a connection like no other!
Mike Werndly - he/him
Mike (or ‘Ranger’ to his friends) is a lifelong birder and practiced field biologist and outdoor educator with a passion for sharing environmental experiences that promote awareness and respect of the natural world. Working and travelling in remote areas around the globe has given Mike a wide knowledge of the Earth’s habitats and ecosystems. He’s been hooked on wildlife since a chance encounter with a Barn Owl when he was eight and hasn’t looked back. He studied Ecology and Outdoor Environmental Education at university and has worked for numerous conservation organisations in the UK, including the Aigas Field Centre, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Scottish Natural Heritage. In more recent years he has guided birding groups to Kansas, Minnesota and Alabama with Ventures Birding Tours.
Christina Simonek-Foster - she/her
Christina is someone who thrives in the great outdoors, always finding new adventures and moments of peace in nature’s embrace. With a heart full of passion for outdoor learning, she loves helping children discover the world around them through hands-on activities and real life experiences. A homeschooling mom to four, Christina has turned curiosity into a way of life, she blends the beauty of nature with education, guiding everyday moments into opportunities for discovery and fun. When she’s not teaching or spending time with her family, you’ll likely find her practicing yoga or hiking, soaking in the beauty of the natural world and finding her balance.
Christina is a strong believer that nature-based learning opens up incredible possibilities for kids to connect with themselves and the environment. Whether it’s through outdoor play, taking risks, or simply having unhurried time to explore, she sees these moments as powerful opportunities for growth. Through these experiences, children gain a deeper understanding of who they are and the world around them, all while building lasting connection with nature.
Nicky Yates - she/her
Nicky has spent the past 15+ years working in the holistic wellness and fitness world, but some of her greatest teachers have always been found outdoors.
A lifelong camper and avid gardener, Nicky is happiest outside – hiking through the woods, digging her hands into the soil, or spending time in and on the bay. Working with the land has taught her about patience, resilience, and the beauty of allowing things to grow in their own time.
Creative and naturally curious, Nicky loves hands-on learning and often finds her way to a solution by experimenting, making, and trying again. She believes there is something incredibly special about giving children the freedom to learn in this same way – to get messy, ask questions, follow their curiosity, and discover things for themselves.
Forest school feels especially meaningful to Nicky because she believes learning can take so many different forms, and that some of the most important learning happens when children are given the time and space to explore. Becoming a mother has only deepened her appreciation for the magic of childhood and the importance of creating space for children to grow into who they are.
Nicky is excited to share her love of the outdoors with the next generation, encouraging children to slow down, be present, get curious, and feel empowered through the many different ways they can learn, grow, and thrive. For Nicky, there is something truly special about learning alongside children in nature – and having the opportunity to see the world through their eyes.
Rachel Sterling - she/her
Rachel has just completed her Master’s in Wildlife Biology and is moving forward from an 18-year career in veterinary and animal care. She has also travelled to South America and New Zealand to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts abroad. She has an undergraduate degree in Biology and Psychology, gearing her studies towards behaviour modification and animal science.
Rachel has a dog named Lou, and they spend many hours exploring hiking trails and looking for the perfect swimming spots. She continually hones her skills in avian, reptilian and mammalian tracking and identification.
Her love of nature and the coexistence of wildlife and humans is a passion she is excited to share with younger generations.
Carly O'Neill - she/her
From a young age, Carly has always gravitated towards learning alongside children. Their natural curiosities and innocent admiration for the world are humbling and inspiring to be around. Carly is a passionate Early Childhood Educator with extensive experience in both traditional and nature-based learning environments, including several years of working in a dedicated Forest School setting. In the Forest School environment, Carly witnessed firsthand the power of outdoor education and how it supports every aspect of a child’s development. She thrives on facilitating open-ended, experimental learning opportunities that empower children to take risks, solve problems, and develop a lifelong love for learning. Carly truly believes that nature provides endless opportunities for discovery, creativity, and connection – and she feels privileged to guide children on that journey each day.
Robyn Daykin - she/her
Robyn is a teacher at our Wasaga Beach School. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Global Studies and English. She completed her Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto and is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Robyn is a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner through Forest School Canada.
Robyn has taught children in a range of environments including schools in Northern Alberta, a Haitian refugee village in the Dominican Republic, and SickKids Hospital in Toronto. Robyn worked as an environmental educator leading field trips at the Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area. It was this experience that made her decide that she wanted to continue teaching (and learning) outdoors! In her free time, Robyn enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, camping and working in her vegetable garden. She loves being active in/on the water, but also appreciates relaxing on the shore. You can usually find her hiking – you may see her finishing up another section of the Bruce Trail!
Sarah White - she/her
Sarah originally went to school for hairstyling and where she realized her love for working with people and creating relationships. She is passionate for all things nature and gardening, as well as spending time with children and helping their minds grow and see all the amazing things earth has to offer.
In her free time you’ll find her on her yoga mat, practicing different forms of meditation, and spending time at the beach. Sarah is also a wife and mother to a 3 yr old. Becoming a mother has furthered her love for molding little minds and spending time outdoors in all seasons.