ABOUT
Our Staff
Our Principal
Traci L. Scheepstra, Ph.D., is an award winning teacher educator with teaching experience at three top tier Canadian universities in education and dance. She worked at the university level for fourteen years as an educational researcher, teacher mentor, course instructor, and elementary arts specialist. Traci received her Ph.D. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. She also completed her Master of Arts in Dance, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts Studies and Dance at York University.
With a career spanning over three decades, Traci has taught in various educational settings with learners of all ages. She founded and operated a creative arts centre in Pickering, ON from 1994-2007. This centre saw thousands of children through its doors for music, movement, drama, and visual arts classes, drumming programs, community choir, summer camps, creative arts birthday parties, and more. In 2019, Traci and her daughter co-founded Embodied Learnings, an education nonprofit that offers resources, support and professional development for teachers in holistic curriculum, experiential learning, arts education, and Indigenous Knowledge.
Traci is also passionate about curriculum, pedagogy and research in the fields of mental health and wellness, restorative practices, safe schools, and conflict resolution and communication. Over the years, Traci has written hundreds of teacher resources and blogs and education-specific articles.
Walnut Forest Academy is a culmination of Traci’s life work and what she believes to be foundational for the success of young children and learning.
Our Teachers
Lindsay Watt, B.Ed., Founding Teacher and Program Development Specialist,
is an experienced Teacher, Instructor, and Coach. She established and taught at her own holistic school for youngsters (HILL School) from 2021 to 2023, which was heavily influenced by Waldorf education and outdoor learning philosophies. Her school aimed to create a safe and engaging environment for children to flourish naturally during a critical time in their development. Lindsay also has 20 years of experience working as a piano teacher, swim instructor and coach. She now runs a mindful coaching business, guiding female athletes to hormonally informed training practices, and mentoring coaches in developmentally appropriate management of their players.
Lindsay earned her BEd at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) and completed her Special Education Part 1 to support neurodivergent individuals in education. With over two decades devoted to learning and growing as an educator, Lindsay is delighted to bring her expertise to Walnut Forest Academy. She is passionate about creating an all-encompassing environment of growth and development that will nourish the whole child: body, mind, heart and spirit.
Danielle Law, B.Ed., grew up in Guelph, where her love for the outdoors began through time spent with family and friends exploring, hiking, camping, and playing. Her combined love for science and working with children led to a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Guelph, with shared majors in biology and developmental psychology. Ready for a postgraduate adventure, and with a strong love for travel, Danielle set off to South Korea to teach English to kindergarten children in a private primary school. Her passion for teaching and adoration for working with young children then led to a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa. Danielle continued her professional development in education with Additional Qualification courses in Special Education, Reading, Kindergarten, and Teaching English Language Learners.
More About Danielle
For a decade, Danielle taught for the Upper Grand District School Board, where she worked with many diverse groups of young students in a variety of classrooms and settings. She then had the opportunity to work at an outdoor alternative school in Guelph for four years, where she truly fell in love with being in nature in all seasons, and where she had the chance to make meaningful connections with her students. She has a strong passion for teaching, understanding each child’s unique strengths and needs, and gently guiding students in their learning and development. As a Primary and Junior teacher, the bulk of her teaching experience has been in kindergarten and primary classrooms, where her practices and philosophy have been rooted in child-led, inquiry-based, and play-based learning. Danielle has been lucky to work at a number of beautiful rural settings, in which the outdoors is a natural extension of the classroom, allowing for daily exploration and creativity. She has had the opportunity to work alongside the students and teachers at Walnut Forest Academy for the past year, and looks forward to another exciting year together!
Jack Darmon. With a background in Environmental and Chemical Technology, Jack brings both scientific expertise and a deep passion for the natural world to the classroom. Dedicated to inspiring the next generation, Jack believes the best learning happens when students roll up their sleeves and engage with their environment directly.
He loves helping kids develop practical skills that build confidence and self-reliance, while also fostering respect and curiosity for the natural world. From the workshop to the forest trail, Jack creates engaging, down-to-earth learning experiences that combine adventure, problem-solving, and a deep appreciation for nature.
Jack has also coached youth soccer and lacrosse, run the Eden Mills Youth Group for many years, and served as Vice President of the Eden Mills Community Club. An avid skier, snowboarder, biker, and kayaker, he embraces every season with enthusiasm. His love for carpentry and building wood structures adds another dimension to his teaching, giving students hands-on opportunities to create, build, and explore.
Alison Chiasson is an outdoor educator with a rich background in outdoor adventure and youth instruction, with a passion for creating meaningful learning experiences through exploration, creativity, and hands-on activities. She believes the best learning experiences spark curiosity and excitement, inspiring children to become passionate about what they are learning and encouraging them to ask questions, discover new interests, and explore further. Alison is a graduate of the Outdoor Adventure Program at Algonquin College, where she developed a strong foundation in risk management, outdoor leadership, environmental education, and emergency response.
Alison has over 10 years of experience teaching and coaching activities including snowboarding, soccer, gymnastics, and canoeing. She also has a strong background in visual arts and theatre, bringing creativity and storytelling into her work with children. Through her work as a park interpreter in British Columbia, she has created and presented educational programs and led nature tours. A Wilderness First Responder and Canadian Ski Patroller, Alison is passionate about helping children build confidence, curiosity, and practical skills through adventure and creative learning.
