Our Education Staff

 
Bill Steer, OCT

Bill Steer, OCT

General Manager

Bill Steer a.k.a. “Back Roads Bill” is a certified teacher and the General Manager and “originator” of the Canadian Ecology Centre. He holds degrees and diplomas from Laurentian University, Nipissing College, McMaster University and Durham College. Most of his work experience is within the field of environmental education and special education with the Near North District School Board and the Simcoe County Board of Education. He is also the Director of the National Green Check GPS Certification Program (www.greencheckgps.ca), which administers three levels of geomatics certification.

Bill also has a variety of research interests. He studies “lost person” behaviour and spatial awareness as it pertains to human behaviour in the outdoors, and has worked with Dr. John and Mary Theberge on wolf research in Algonquin Park. He has also authored a variety of natural and cultural books and thematic maps.

He is a Trustee with the Near North District School Board. He teaches senior geography for Nipissing University’s Faculty of Education. Additionally, he teaches a geomatics (GIS/GPS/imagery) course within the Environmental Technician Program at Canadore College.  

He can be found at:

GPS Coordinates WGS Zone 17 T  E 663576 N 5129113 (NAD 83) and
Lat. N 46 17.870′  Long. W 78 52.567′

To read his articles on the area’s hidden gems and listen to the CBC’s Backroads Bill archives, check out his website at www.steerto.com.

Laura Kielpinski, OCT

Laura Kielpinski, OCT

Director of Operations & Education

Laura is a certified teacher who oversees the general operations at the Canadian Ecology Centre, and is our director of educational programs. She has worked at the CEC since January 2002. Laura is a qualified teacher who is involved with the development and delivery of school/youth programs and the high school credit courses. Laura is a certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Laura is also a GPS Instructor and Instructor Trainer for the National Green Check GPS Certification program, and is an instructor for the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s “Project Wild” and “Below Zero” programs. Laura is currently working towards her Forest and Nature School Practitioners certification.

She holds an honours degree in Physical and Health Education (specialising in Outdoor Adventure Leadership) and a diploma in Environmental Science from Laurentian University, and also has a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in Outdoor Experiential Education. She teaches the Outdoor Experiential course as well as the Environmental Science and Outdoor Experiential Education Additional Qualification courses for the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University.

Laura holds certifications in Standard First Aid and CPR, Wilderness First Aid (80 hour WFR), National Lifeguard (NLS), ORKCA (canoe training), and risk management and safety planning.

Her passions and interests include sharing her love of the natural world with all those around her and helping others to find comfort and enjoyment from spending time in the outdoors. She enjoys being active in a variety of outdoor activities (mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, and cross country skiing) with her family and two children.

Coral Bissett, OCT

Coral Bissett, OCT

Education & Events Coordinator, Website/Social Media Administrator

Coral is a certified teacher & forest school pracitioner and has been with the CEC since 2007. As the Bilingual Education and Events Coordinator, she functions as the liaison between visiting groups and the CEC. She works closely with the Director of Operations & Education to create, enhance, and document in writing all educational programs, assists in the daily operations of the CEC, coordinates special events, works on marketing, and delivers educational programs and material in both English and French. She is also a teacher mentor through the CEC’s OWLS program, and runs the CEC’s Forest School and Summer Forest Camps. She also manages the CEC website and social media pages.

Coral holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Geography from Queen’s University. She obtained her Bachelor of Education degree from Nipissing University (specialising in Junior/Intermediate Geography and Outdoor Education, and an AQ in Senior Geography). Coral is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers, a certified Forest School Practitioner (CNAC) and holds qualifications from the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA, Basic Canoeing Levels 1-4, Canoe Tripping Level 2) and Wilderness Medical Associates (Wilderness First Responder 80Hrs). Coral is also an instructor for the National Green Check GPS Certification program.

Coral has a love of the natural world, and enjoys canoeing, backpacking, photography, and helping others discover an appreciation for the outdoors.

Ian Byerley, OCT

Ian Byerley, OCT

Teacher/Outdoor Educator

Tim Lougheed, OCT

Tim Lougheed, OCT

Teacher/Outdoor Educator

Kyle Dzuba

Kyle Dzuba

Outdoor Educator

Ali Steer, OCT

Ali Steer, OCT

Teacher/Outdoor Educator

Jessica Crozier

Jessica Crozier

ECE, Forest Camp/School Educator