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Meet Our Team
Team Biographies
Becky Palmer, OCT, BA, BEd (she/her/elle)
Co-Director and Founder
Becky is dedicated to cultivating a space where every soul feels welcomed, heard, and truly belongs. Rewilding Education blossomed from her heartfelt desire to create a sanctuary where all children can thrive, connect with the natural world, and grow at their own rhythm. After many years of teaching in the private and public school systems, Becky found herself unable to reconcile her deep understanding of how children learn, grow, and develop best, with the one-size-fits-all model of education. This realization led her to leave the conventional classroom behind and embark on a journey to create an environment where each child’s individuality could be honoured and nurtured. Becky holds a sacred space for the magic of play, walking hand in hand with the children as they embark on their learning journeys. She nurtures joyful learning, embracing each child’s unique path, and believes deeply in the wisdom of child-led, hands-on experiences. There is nothing that brings her more joy than witnessing the growth and transformation of children and youth as they deepen their connection to nature and to themselves. With her experience as an educator, teaching from Kindergarten through grade 6, Becky skillfully weaves learning opportunities into conversations and moments of play, fostering a love for discovery in every child.
Growing up in the heart of Simcoe County, Becky spent the majority of her youth outside; exploring forests, wetlands, and provincial parks with her family, canoe tripping in Algonquin Park, cross country skiing at Wye Marsh, snowboarding and hiking. Her connection to nature deepened as she spent her summers throughout university surrounded by the Rocky Mountains while living in Lake Louise. The mountains kept calling her back and after earning her Bachelor's degree, she moved to Jasper where she had the opportunity to operate the Summer Camps for the Municipality of Jasper. After earning her Bachelor of Education from Nippissing University, she embarked on a life-changing adventure to Mongolia. Teaching at an International School and where stepping beyond the capital city felt like traveling back in time, she was profoundly inspired by the nomadic lifestyle and the Mongolian tradition of deep connection to the Land. This experience ignited a passion within her to honour and learn from those who live in harmony with nature. Now back in Simcoe County, Becky eagerly looks forward to building connections with our local Indigenous communities; welcoming them into Rewilding’s programs to share their teachings, traditions and knowledge of our local Land.
She cherishes the moments spent with her two children, who are most at home running through the playground, forests, and gardens of Moondance. After navigating the adventure of online learning in a family of two teachers, Becky and her husband Zack embraced the world of alternative education through homeschooling and forest schooling for their children, and they haven’t looked back.​
Kim Keckes, BA (she/her)
Resident Farmer and Educator
As our resident farmer, owner of Moondance Organic Gardens, and as an educator, Kim has a wealth of knowledge to share with our learners and the community. Her belief is that our health (physical and mental health) thrives with connection and foundation in nutritious food and experiencing nature. Moondance Organic Gardens used to be known as the Higginson's Homestead, where Kim grew up, her father grew up and her grandfather grew up. Kim is the fourth generation of her family working and living on this land and we are so incredibly fortunate that she shares her knowledge and space with the Rewilding Education community.
With a background in Horticulture Therapy, Kim has a beautiful presence and she creates an awareness that interaction with natural settings promotes health in a variety of ways.
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Heather Hurst, OCT, BEd, BA (she/her)
Co-Director and Educator
As an educator, Heather delights in witnessing each child's unique spark and being present to their growth. She truly believes Farm and Forest Schools to be the best environment that youth can be in during their foundational years. Having grown up on a hobby farm in Wellington County, the childhood memories that shine the brightest are those spent in the natural world; exploring, adventuring, testing, erroring, expanding, wandering and wondering.
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With a spiritually centred, trauma informed, community oriented nature, Heather simultaneously exudes a presence of calm, care and joy. She has had the honour of participating in Ecoschools launching year, Waldorf Schooling and Anthroposophical Studies, teaching in both the private and public school system, empowerment speaking, energy healing, creative projects, entrepreneurial adventures, board and council meetings, community groups and being a volunteer for many charitable agencies.
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Heather’s home is a comfortable drive south into New Tecumseth where she has prioritized relishing the precious time of childhood with her young daughter Lillian, knowing full well how fast it goes as she watches her adult son William venture out into the world. Gardening with her husband is one of her simple pleasures.
Teri Monczka, RECE, BA (she/her)
Farm and Forest Educator
Teri is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, and joins us with a wealth of experience having supported, nurtured, and educated children in a variety of settings over the past 20 years. Teri expertly weaves literacy into play. She is an early literacy leader in Simcoe County, and all the children adore her felt board stories and story boxes. Teri has extensive experience supporting an array of differently abled children in a multitude of ways. The strategies she brings and shares also support all the children in our programs. She shares stories and songs in beautifully accessible ways and creates an atmosphere of belonging and inclusivity.
We are so thrilled to have Teri as part of the team at Rewilding Education and you will find Teri in The Children's Garden with our My Grown-Up and Me friends.
Ashley Becklund, B.FA - Interarts (she/her)
Farm and Forest Educator
Ashley is a rich fountain of inspiration. As a connected soul who has lived and breathed the essence of Forest School philosophies since childhood, Ashley has a keen awareness of the flow of children’s energies and intuitively works to support their needs. She exudes creativity in everything she does and remains present to each moment in the kind of grounded way that children adore. Ashley's journey has been a blend of outdoor exploration, artistic expression, and educational advocacy. Her childhood was filled with diverse experiences—from competitive sports like cross-country skiing and volleyball to the discipline of competitive dance. This foundation in both physical activity and artistic expression laid the groundwork for her multifaceted interests.
In her youth, she was immersed in the Geo Studies (Outdoor Education) Program at Barrie North Collegiate, where she honed skills in wilderness survival, navigation, and outdoor leadership. As a camp counselor at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort and later as an Adventure Program leader at Sojourn Outdoor Sports Store, she shared her passion for the outdoors through activities like hiking, kayaking, and orienteering.
Post-secondary education took her through a rich tapestry of creative pursuits. She earned a diploma in Fundamentals of Design from Georgian College, followed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts-Interarts-Honours Degree from Laurentian University. This artistic journey included internships in creative studios and teaching art in schools, culminating in participation in art shows and theatrical performances across Ontario. Her adulthood has been equally diverse, from living and working at StrixLand Run Rescue Farm in Alberta to owning a private creative studio in Edmonton. As a Certified Reiki Practitioner and owner of an online creative business, she's explored holistic healing and artistic entrepreneurship.
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In her role of Farm and Forest School Educator, she is excited to share her journey and passions with you, and she looks forward to connecting with like-minded individuals who share a love for the outdoors, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Sarah Troop (she/her)
Farm and Forest School Educator, Social Media Management and Office Administration
For nearly five years, Sarah has lovingly devoted her time and energy to Moondance Organic Gardens, where her passion for the earth’s rhythms has blossomed. The birth of her two sons rekindled within her a profound awareness of the essential role that nature plays in the healthy development of children. This awakening drew her to the Rewilding community, where she embraced the opportunity to weave the threads of nature into the lives of others.
Sarah's journey with Rewilding began as a volunteer, and soon, her desire to deepen her understanding led her to become a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner through the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada. Her dedication to nurturing a connection between people and the natural world now flourishes in her role as an Educator at Rewilding, where she continues to inspire others with her love for the outdoors. Always eager to lend a hand, Sarah has become an invaluable member of the community, offering her talents in social media management and administrative tasks. Whether she’s tending to her garden, foraging for mushrooms, or hiking with her boys, Sarah’s heart remains firmly rooted in the beauty and wisdom of nature.
Rene Gualtieri, OCT, BEd, Hons. BEs (she/her)
Farm & Forest Educator and Garden Education Coordinator
Rene’s journey began in North York, Ontario, where her dreams of the countryside were a constant companion. After immersing herself in teaching and environmental studies at York University, her path led her westward to the stunning landscapes of British Columbia. There, at UBC, she found her calling in Outdoor Environmental Education, where the concept of nature school resonated deeply with her. Surrounded by the lush forests, she discovered the profound impact that school gardens can have on a school community and reveled in the joy of working amidst nature’s bounty.
Returning to Ontario with a heart full of inspiration, Rene deepened her understanding by studying permaculture and biodynamic gardening. This knowledge became the foundation of her holistic approach to environmental education. In 2020, her dreams took root in the rich soil of Fronterra Farm in Prince Edward County, where she embraced the role of lead educator. Over the past four years, Rene has joyfully guided a small group of students, crafting and nurturing nature-based and curriculum-integrated programs. Together, they have experienced the wonders of nature, from building a school garden to cooking soups in the winter forest, hosting harvest dinners, and running a student-led store filled with healthy, homemade treats. Rene’s approach ensures that each child feels safe to be their authentic self, to explore with all their senses, and to grow in both social and emotional learning.
Now, as she joins the Rewilding and Moondance Organic Gardens community, Rene brings her abundant passion, deep knowledge, and strong work ethic to the farm and table. She is eager to collaborate with her new team to create engaging, inclusive, and innovative workshops for people of all ages, races, and abilities. Rene looks forward to starting this new chapter, surrounded by kindred spirits who share her enthusiasm for outdoor education and the magic of nature.
