Meet the Team
MEET THE TEAM!
KINDERGARTEN
CHELSEA SURESH-MILLS
It is such a joy to teach in this unique and impactful program! On a daily basis, I am privileged to witness the wonder and curiosity that the natural world inspires in our young learners. As we explore different environments around Percy Pegler school and throughout our neighbourhood, students develop a sense of belonging and are empowered to see themselves as valued and important contributors to our community. These hands-on experiences in nature also provide rich opportunities for structured inquiry and play-based learning that deepen understandings, allow for authentic application of learning skills, and promote social and emotional well-being. I am particularly passionate about using the natural world as inspiration for our early-literacy and early-numeracy learning. It is always exciting to see the meaningful growth that comes from connecting these core learning areas to the natural world around us. Everyday is a new adventure in Explore Kindergarten! Outdoor Learning Certifications:
40-Hour Wilderness First Aid Course
Outdoor Council of Canada – Field Leader
Outdoor Council of Canada – Field Leader (Winter)
KINDERGARTEN
TAMMY JESPERSEN
It is such a gift to explore the natural world with my Kindergarten students, both inside and outside of the classroom! Nature based Kindergarten is a true flow from the outside, in. Our outdoor learning opportunities spark deep engagement, curiosity, wonder and joy and so often inspires our learning activities inside the classroom! Our outdoor explorations foster a greater awareness and connection to the Earth and provide meaningful connections and relationships in our community. Our indoor classroom is full of natural materials that inspire endless loose-parts play and hands-on discovery! I look forward to a very special year with rich learning opportunities as we deepen our connection to nature and discover the beautiful areas around École Percy Pegler School together.
Outdoor learning certifications:- 40-Hour Wilderness First Aid Course
- Outdoor Council of Canada - Field Leader
- Outdoor Council of Canada - Field Leader (winter)
GRADE 1
KRISTIN WHALEY
Year after year, I continue to notice the positive impacts nature has on our kids. Children come alive when they are outside. They are innately curious and excited about the natural world around them. They explore, play, and wonder with joy and freedom. They take risks and become comfortable within their own limits. And finally, as they engage with nature, we have the privilege of seeing our students through a different lens. Talents and strengths emerge and relationships develop as we navigate through our shared experiences outside of the four classroom walls.
Outdoor learning certifications:- 40-Hour Wilderness First Aid Course
- Outdoor Council of Canada - Field Leader
- Outdoor Council of Canada - Field Leader (winter)
GRADE 1 / 2
LEITH MONAGHAN
I am a proponent and believer in outdoor education, working with youth in the outdoors with organizations such as YMCA Camp Chief Hector, University of Calgary Outdoor Center, RiverWatch, Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society, Outward Bound and Alberta Parks. Additionally, I have 15+ years' experience as a classroom teacher teaching Grade 2, 5-9. I enjoy sharing my love of nature and the mountains with others.
Outdoor learning certifications:- 80-hour Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level3 (WorkSafeBC).
- Certified Professional Interpretive Guide, Interpretive Guides Association
- Hiking Guide, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG)
- Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader
- Field Experience since 2001
GRADE 2 / 3
BOBBIE ROBINSON
Oh, hey there. I am Bobbie. I believe being in nature supports mental health and helps people find the best version of themselves. Nature is a great teacher for perseverance, resilience, self-confidence, and building relationships. At the end of the day, I want to teach students to be kind not just to others but the Earth that we live on as well. We are on this crazy journey called life and I believe we should enjoy every moment, even the small ones.
Outdoor learning certifications:- 80-hour Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level3 (WorkSafeBC).
- 40-Hour Wilderness First Aid (Rocky Mountain Adventures).
- Avalanche Skills Training (AST) Level 1(Avalanche Canada)
- Avalanche Operations Level 1 Candidate - April 2024 (Canadian Avalanche Association)
- Field Leader Hiking (Outdoor Council of Canada)
- Field Leader Winter (Outdoor Council of Canada)
GRADE 4 / 5
GRAHAM CAMPBELL
I am engaged in Nature based learning because I believe that nature and the community around us are the best teachers that there are. The feelings of natural curiosity, calm, and joy that are present when we learn outside keeps me, and the students, looking forward to school and new adventures to come. The outdoors has a natural way of bringing students together to form tight communities and teams, which allows for our classes to do amazing things together with our learning. Because our learning is grounded in real, meaningful, and tangible experiences within our community, students grasp concepts faster and at a deeper levels. I am consistently inspired by nature and our community that we live in, and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to try to foster this inspiration and passion in the students in our program.
Outdoor learning certifications:- 80-hour Advanced Wilderness First Aid course.
- Association of Canadian Mountain Guides: Apprentice Hiking Guide
- Association of Canadian Mountain Guides: Winter Travel Accreditation
- Outdoor Council of Canada Instructor
- Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association: Hunter Education Instructor
- Alberta Hunter Education Instructors Association: Fishing Education Instructor
- National Archery In Schools Program
- Leave No Trace Certification
GRADE 5 / 6
RYAN LEMPHERS
I love seeing the “Ah ha” moments when kids make meaningful connections with their learning and the world around them. There is a spark in their eye and fire in their belly when there is suddenly a reason and context for why they are learning something. This context is further enhanced when students develop their sense of place, which provides powerful launching points for student learning. Being outside in nature also engages kids and provides so many unique hands-on learning opportunities. It also helps team development in our classrooms in a meaningful and tangible way. Engaging with Indigenous ways of knowing deepens our connection to the land and what it teaches us. All these elements combined make NBL an amazing way to learn in our amazing community.
Outdoor learning certifications:- 80-hour Advanced Wilderness First Aid course
- Outdoor Council of Canada Instructor
- Association of Canadian Mountain Guides: Hiking Guide
- Association of Canadian Mountain Guides: Winter Travel Accreditation
- Advanced Recreational Avalanche Course
- Paddle Canada Advanced Moving Water Canoe Instructor Trainer - Tandem and Solo
- Leave No Trace Certification
- Interpretive Guides Association: Basic Knowledge Course
403-938-4449
