We have two BC-certified teachers on site with the children two days per week. They oversee the home learning component, student learning plan and are the interface with NIDES.
Maia is an entrepreneurial educationist mama of two who dreams of changing the world through a transformed education system. She is a full-time teacher with the School District of Greater Victoria, currently on a parenthood leave to spend more time with her young kids, but could not resist the opportunity
Catie Bainbridge (she/her) is a white settler with British, Irish, and French ancestry and has been an uninvited guest on lək̓ʷəŋən territory for nearly three decades. She is a storytelling, bone collecting, cloud watching, mud splashing child-at-heart who loves to play and dream outside. She holds great reverence and respect
Our Forest Mentors are additional educators, specifically with outdoor education and/or wilderness awareness training. A mentor is present on site all three days.
Erica’s greatest passions—people and nature—come together in her dual role as Program Manager and Senior Forest Mentor. Having been homeschooled in elementary school, the pure joy of learning through play, relationships, and the outdoors has been a foundation for Erica as an educator. She is thrilled to continue learning and
Madison (they/them) is a dynamic, curious parent deeply committed to community care in various roles. As a crisis response worker, doula, and education assistant, they build meaningful connections and create personalized support systems within their community. Madison has a strong connection to the outdoors, learning from the land, sharing their
I am excited to join the EPIC Learning Community as a Forest Mentor this year! Originally from Southern Ontario, on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, I moved to British Columbia after earning my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education. My childhood summers spent visiting family
Joely is a bird nerd who loves climbing, hiking, gardening, and more! It is her first year at EPIC and she has always loved sharing her knowledge of nature and science with the next generation. She was born on Gitxsan territory and grew up running through the forest on Salt
Austen is an Ecosystem Management Technician who runs a small landscaping business. This is his first year with EPIC, but he has experience teaching children and adults about farming, fruit trees, and food security. He spends his days in the garden and his nights reading books. Austen’s looking forward to
For much of the year, a practicum student from the University of Victoria’s Child and Youth Care Program is on site three days a week. They spend three to four months with the community to complete their course requirements.
Evelyn (she/her) is going into her 4th year of Child and Youth Care studies at the University of Victoria. She is a settler raised on the Saanich Peninsula, on the beautiful territory of the WSÁNEĆ peoples. Evelyn has some experience working with children and youth on the Peninsula through positions as
Hi, my name is Sophie (she/her)! I’m a Child and Youth Care student at UVIC and have been working with children since I was 14! I love to go rock climbing, exploring, swimming, and spending time with friends and family. This winter I am learning to snowboard! After I graduate
