Welcome Rachel, TMO’s new Education Outreach Coordinator!

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the TMO Team! I have been following TMO’s journey these last few years and having participated in TMO Day and challenges myself. It is so exciting to be apart of such an amazing community of outdoor educators and I am excited to bring my knowledge and experiences as a high school educator to this community and learn from all of you and your experiences with your own students.”

Rachel’s earliest memories are of her being outdoors.

Her childhood was filled with family camping trips and exploring nature. This early love of the outdoors has contributed to Rachel’s passion for working with others to promote outdoor and land-based education. Rachel is an educator in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty 1 Territory, and passionate about working with youth to connect them to the outdoors. She currently is a high school educator in the Louis Riel School Division. Rachel’s background in Indigenous Studies has a large presence in her work as she strives to use Indigenous ways of knowing and land-based approaches to promote student wellbeing and reconciliation. Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Indigenous Studies and a Bachelor of Education both from the University of Manitoba. She has previously worked for outdoor education programs such as landED Manitoba and been on teacher-led learning teams to support educators incorporating outdoor learning and Indigenous education into their classrooms. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys rock climbing, canoe trips, yoga, and spending time with her partner and their dog Sage.


A favourite activity for Rachel:

Every week I do creative writing with my high school English students. Something I have recently tried doing with them is taking our creative writing outdoors. Together, we spend the first 5 minutes of class sitting and focuses on what our senses are recognizing. From there, students can choose what form or creative journey their writing will take. I provide them with a prompt to help guide their writing process but many find the freedom of being outside the classroom inspiring. Many use the outdoors as inspiration for their writing. But some choose to journal and reflect on the week past. I think something my students love most about this is simply being outside of the normal expectations and routines they have at the high school level. They love the freedom and creativity this activity brings and it has shown in the quality and engagement in writing that has taken place.

A positive impact of taking learners outside:

My students love the freedom of this activity. They get so giddy and excited when I announce we will be going outside, and the happiness it brings them has brought me a lot of joy as their teacher. Not only do these trips outside boost their mood, but I have noticed an increased engagement in the task of creative writing and the quality of the writing. I find the outdoors inspiring for those who often struggle to write and have noticed they have found higher engagement in the sessions we have done outdoors.

Encouragement for educators to take their learners outside:

At the high school level, I think so many teachers struggle with the balance of meeting curriculum expectations and wanting to venture outdoors with their students. I encourage anyone who feels this way to just experiment and try! There are so many possible connections for outdoor learning at the high school level if you work to find them.


Welcome to the team, Rachel!

Recommended Reading

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

Photo: Elder Christopher Stock and his daughter Keana opening Take Me Outside’s Ontario Educator Wellness Retreat in a good way Tomorrow, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, we invite non-Indigenous members of our Take Me Outside community to join in quiet reflection, self-education, and a re-commitment towards justice, as […]

Read More
9clf4b5rbo Pride In Nature 2025 No Byline

Pride Outside

Happy Pride Month! We have put together a Read, Watch, Listen guide featuring books, films, podcasts, resources, and accounts to explore. Plus some amazing outdoor opportunities to explore and celebrate Queer Ecology and creating safe spaces in the outdoors! Read For Educators Nature Needs a New Pronoun by Robin Wall Kimmer Evoluntion’s Rainbow by Joan […]

Read More
Nihm 2025 Feed Post 1747769446020 Eng

June is National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21st is Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Below you will find a collection of favourite resources for integrating Indigenous Knowledge, perspectives, and history into your classroom. In addition, our friends over at the Outdoor Learning School and Store have put together a list of 30 recommended resources and learning […]

Read More

Sign up to our Newsletter:

Keep in touch with what we're up to through our monthly newsletter - subscribe here.
Take Me Outside is a charitable organization in Canada (Registration Number: 85069 5206 RR0001).