Meet the Team

• Bachelor Nature Tourism

• Graduate Diploma Teaching (Early Years & Secondary)

• Level 3 Forest School Leader

• Level 2 First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma

• Community Surf Life Saving Certificate

• Current WWCC

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I've always felt a strong connection to the outdoors and nature. As a young child, growing up on a farm, some of my fondest memories were climbing trees, building cubbies, exploring the local creek, playing hide and seek amongst the hay bales, or wandering through the bush. Our parent's only expectation, was that we were home by dark. 

I truly believe that these experiences, and that sense of freedom and autonomy I had as a child, have shaped who I am today. Being outdoors, in nature, is where I am most happy. It is a place where I find comfort and peace in its beauty, and where I find I am most present. 

 

I have been working in the outdoor education field for over 20 years, and am both trained in secondary and early childhood education. I thoroughly enjoy working with children and have had the privilege of working with a wide range of age groups in a number of different settings and environments.
In my experience, children learn best through play, when they have the freedom to run, climb, explore, investigate, create and just get messy in nature. I love this way of learning, full of awe, wonder, adventure, and discoveries.

This inspired me to create KIN, which aims to reclaim the outdoor childhoods of our past. I believe that all children deserve a wild childhood; to climb trees, make mud pies, jump in puddles, and dance in the rain. A messy childhood is full of adventure, wonder, and discovery.

• Certificate 3 Education

• Level 2 First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma

• Community Surf Life Saving Certificate

• Current WWCC

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I take a holistic approach to teaching that really focuses on relationships. I believe that play is a child's most important work, and I strive to create and maintain an environment where your child can grow, learn and thrive whilst exploring the natural world around them. I hope to educate your children on how to respect and care for our land.

 

I’m also a yoga teacher and enjoy incorporating yoga and mindfulness practices into my teaching to help cultivate children’s growing bodies and developing minds.

 

With a background of working in kindergartens, disability, and mainstream primary schools, I have an array of experience in the industry and can’t wait to take your child on their new wild adventure.

• Graduate Diploma Teaching (Early Years)

• Bush Kinder Leader Training

• Level 2 First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma

• Current WWCC

 

Hello, my name is Heidi.

 

Nature and risky play, First Nations culture, exploration, relaxation, and laughter are very important to me. As are practicing self-awareness, yoga, sport, meditation, and music. I believe in getting dirty and making mistakes, learning to be a good friend, and communicating feelings. I acknowledge we belong to a family, culture, and global community, and we all play a part in the future of our planet. I honor the shared time and learning from our Aboriginal Aunties and Uncles.

I made a career change from 16 years in the advertising film industry following the experience of my daughter’s preschool. I can remember thinking, ‘wow, this has to be one of the best years of your life!’ Lucky for me, I found Possums Community Preschool in Northern Rivers, NSW, at the beginning of 2019 after moving from the Surfcoast to Cabarita with my husband and daughters, Rosa (11) and Maya (9).  During my time at Possums I completed a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood at Southern Cross University and Bush Kinder Leader Course with Nature Play QLD. I have co-launched and led Possum's nature program for the past 4 years operating a portable program with a bus and co-collaborating with children to use real tools, light real fires, create, explore, investigate and engage in Aboriginal mindfulness techniques and support them to be masters of risk intelligence. It was a privilege to work at Possums, to share such a special, unique time with the families and children, and to work alongside a super talented bunch of educators in a beautiful natural environment on Bundjalung land. But, my home was calling, and so I will return in 2023 and am super pumped to be joining Sarah and KIN for more nature play adventures and am excited to see what the next chapter brings. In my downtime you’ll find me at the cleanest offshore surf break or enjoying some live music with friends and family.