Lacie Marchand

• Year Round Mentor & Admin Assistant at TFA

• ECE (in progress)

• Music Specialist (www.laciemarchand.com)

“I have had the pleasure of spending the last decade working with students of all ages both privately and within school settings.  With a Bachelor of Musical Arts from Western Ontario (2013), my desire for further training led me to Alberta to complete a Masters in Music (2015) at the University of Calgary.  As a music specialist, educating comes in many shapes and forms from directing ensembles to instrument specific training, and discovering sounds and rhythms just to name a few.  Much like the diversity of outdoor education, the possibilities of music and sound exploration are ever changing, and as an educator this is one of my favourite aspects of working with children for their imaginative discovery has no boundaries.  Traversing different soundscapes with sound walks, creating new instruments and discovering songs in nature are just a couple of ways music and the environment are interwoven.  

After spending 5 years hiking/camping/ canoeing and snowshoeing through the rockies, I relocated back to Ontario to raise a tiny human of my own with my husband, and joined the TFA family in the fall of 2019.  As a new mother discovering different ways of sharing my passion for the outdoors and music with tiny humans has become a large focus, and being part of the team at TFA is truly a highlight of my week.” 

Kendra Masson

• Year Round Mentor at TFA

• Ski Instructor/Nature Enthusiast

“Hello! As someone who grew up in nature as much as possible, my parents encouraged a keen eye and strong respect for nature. In 2000, at 17, I became an Ontario Ranger, and spent a summer near Sault Ste Marie, maintaining portage trails and working in Ontario Parks.  It was a long time ago, but a life altering experience.  I went to Algonquin College in 2002-2003, for the Adventure Naturalist program, designed to train wilderness guides with a focus on ecotourism.  After which, I spent two summers guiding around Algonquin park, and my winters with the Ski Patrol and teaching at Mt St Louis, Moonstone. I love mixing my love of drawing, crafts, and photography into my guests' experience. I've spent the last 11 years raising our two kids in and around Ottawa, before moving back to Springwater Township in 2017.  In that time I have remained passionate about nature, always on the look out for a new bird species, new place to paddle or a new wilderness experience. We've taken our kids camping since they were babies, and they've been on back country canoe and hiking overnight trips. Now, back in Springwater and I'm teaching skiing again!  And with TFA, I have the opportunity to share my passion for nature with your children too!”

Kristine MannioN

• Year Round Mentor at TFA

• Certified Teacher, OCT

• Music Specialist

" I am very excited to be a part of Tiny Forest Academy! I have been involved in outdoor and arts education for my whole working life. I have a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (music and drama) from York University and a year of Wildlife Biology from McGill University. I spent 10 years managing and delivering the Heritage Education programming at Georgian Bay Islands National Park (Beausoleil Island), leading guided hikes, outdoor theatre programs and school programs. I then started a family and have three wonderful children. I explored alternative education options for all of my children, all of whom were homeschooled for many years, and have also been in traditional schools.

While raising our kids, my husband and I started the Midland School of Music, where I led music classes for babies and toddlers (and their caregivers) As covid changed our ability to do that, I am really looking forward to being able to do these kind of classes again in the forest setting! I also taught drama classes for a number of years at the Midland Cultural Centre, through Huronia Players. I am passionate about standing up for the rights of children and always being kind. I look forward to being able to get to know many new families through my time at the Tiny Forest Academy."

Madison Cruise

• Year Round Mentor at TFA

• BA in Child and Youth Studies

“Hey I’m Madison, a passionate mentor at Tiny Forest Academy, whose journey began with an inspiring degree in Childhood and Youth Studies from Carleton University. This program taught me to see the world through the eyes of young people, emphasizing their voices, agency, and the powerful role they play in shaping our future. 

At Tiny Forest Academy, I will bring my interdisciplinary expertise to life by fostering a deep connection between children and the natural world. I believe that children are not just participants but the true leaders of their own learning journeys. My approach is hands-off, allowing kids to explore, question, and discover at their own pace. Whether its navigating forest trails, experimenting with natural elements, or understanding the delicate balance of our ecosystem, I am right there—encouraging curiosity, resilience, and a sense of trust in every child I mentor.

My days are filled with the joyful noise of children at play, the warmth of a campfire, and the quiet moments of reflection that nature so generously offers. I’m particularly passionate about incorporating Indigenous land-based knowledge into everyday learning, ensuring that the children at Tiny Forest Academy grow not only in knowledge but in empathy and respect for the world around them.

Join me and the TFA community in nurturing a generation of confident, resilient, and environmentally conscious explorers. Under my guidance, and the other mentors at TFA, every day is an adventure, and every child’s wonder is met with endless possibilities.”

Matt McManee

• Year Round Lead Mentor at TFA

• Certified Teacher, OCT

“I joined Tiny Forest academy in September of 2019 and am so thankful I did.  I truly feel like it's some of the most rewarding work I have done in my career.  Although it was a while ago, my university studies were focused on geography, biology and environmental management and then followed by teachers college.  This started me on a path outdoor education and for years I worked at camps, guiding companies, outdoor education centers and even wilderness focused centers for youth in custody and youth with addictions.  I have seen first hand the value and effect of connecting with nature and its power to provide.  Outdoors is the only classroom where students can come back to the same place week after week and discover something different every time they come.  In my opinion, any day spent outside is a day well spent!”

Robyn Daykin

• Lead Mentor at TFA (ON MAT LEAVE)

• Certified Teacher, OCT

• Certified Forest School Practitioner

“I am so excited to be a part of this team! I graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Global Studies and English, and then completed my Bachelor of Education at the University of Toronto. After teaching in different settings, it was working as an Environmental Educator at the Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area that made me decide that teaching children outdoors is where I want to be! I have since completed the course to become a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner through Forest School Canada. I am thankful to have this opportunity to teach and learn alongside your children, and to be a part of helping them to develop an intimate connection with nature. In my free time, you can usually find me hiking, snowshoeing, or camping. Hope to see you in the forest!”

Danielle Mchugh

• Year Round Mentor at TFA

• Certified ECE

• ‘Big Sister’ with Big Brother/Big Sister Program

“Hello! My name is Danielle McHugh, I was born and raised in Penetanguishene and am so excited to share my experiences in the outdoors with each one of your children. I am a very dedicated and caring person with 10+ years of experience and a good understanding of child psychology & development. My experience includes; Facilitator at Wildflower Nature Day home, pet care/nannying, lunch/recess supervision and Educational Assistant at local elementary schools.  

I am devoted to helping children think creatively, solve problems effectively, immerse themselves into free emergent play, and teach them how to respect themselves, others and nature.  

In my free time I enjoy being active, you can find me walking dogs, hiking at local trails or at the local CrossFit gym. I also run my own pet care business on the side as I am so passionate about animals and their wellbeing.”

Kait Byrick

• Year Round Mentor at TFA

• Lifelong nature lover and learner

“Hi! I’m Kait and I’m so excited to be on the TFA team. I grew up in Midland and moved back to the area with my family in 2019. I’ve spent much of my life working in and enjoying the outdoors -from working as a camp counsellor and Ontario Ranger, to tree planting, and running a hobby farm full of critters. I earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Environmental Science from Trent University in 2004 and worked as a wildlife field technician for a number of years in Ontario, Alberta and Tanzania. Ask me how it feels to be chased by an elephant or what the inside of a wolf den looks like! 

I have two daughters, Juniper and Pippa, who both attend TFA and who have taught me so much about life and learning. The girl’s experience at forest school, combined with my own outdoor experience, has sparked my passion for outdoor learning, specifically within the forest school setting. I believe kids (and adults!) are at their best outside, where their bodies, minds, and souls have the space to move and grow.  I look forward to supporting the students of TFA while they create their own memories and hone their own skills that will last a lifetime”

Rebecca chamberlin

• Part-time Mentor at TFA

• ECE (in training)

“Hi! My name is Rebecca, and I'm so excited to be a part of the team at TFA! I grew up in Simcoe County, primarily in and around Orillia and Coldwater. My love for nature has been with me my whole life, and it's something that I absolutely love to share with others. From an early age, my family encouraged me to explore the natural world around me, which I believe played an instrumental role in fostering my deep connection to the outdoors. My grandparents introduced me to camping, and my dad shared his love of gardening with me—both of which are still some of my favourite hobbies.

Currently, I live near Waubaushene with my husband and two children. We strive to share our love of nature with our children, and you can frequently find us outside in our gardens, kayaking, camping, or just enjoying the natural world around us.

It wasn't until my mid-twenties that I realised how strong my passion for working with children and in education truly was. After some self-reflection, I decided to return to college to become an Early Childhood Educator. In August 2024, I completed my final placement at TFA and met the requirements to graduate from the ECE program at Algonquin College. I will be applying to become a registered Early Childhood Educator in the near future and am enrolled at Brock University beginning this fall 2024 to obtain my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.”