The Team

Kerri (Kaya’tahente) Smart

Lead Teacher, Kindergarten & Grade 1

Kerri Smart is a Bear Clan woman from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. She is also known by her Indigenous name, Kaya’tahente (pronounced guy-yut-dah-hon-day), which translates to “leader” in the Mohawk language. She brings over fifteen years of experience in early childhood education, along with a background in educational administration.

Kerri holds a Mohawk Language Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies from Trent University, as well as a Bachelor of Education and a professional Master of Education from Queen’s University. In 2025, she became a certified Forest and Nature School practitioner, deepening her commitment to land-based and nature-connected learning.

Rooted in holistic, nature-based pedagogy, Kerri weaves storytelling, rhythm, nature, culture and handwork into her teaching practice, creating warm and nurturing spaces where children can grow with wonder and confidence. As a mother to a young son and a wife of eighteen years, she brings the heart of family life into her work with children.

She is passionate about lifelong learning, meaningful teaching, and spending time outdoors, and she delights in creating cozy, peaceful environments where children feel safe, seen, and inspired.

Henry Lear

Lead Grade School Teacher

Henry discovered his passion for teaching after working as an Educational Assistant in a school supporting students with diverse learning needs. Through building meaningful relationships with students and witnessing their academic and personal growth, he found a career that brought both purpose and joy. This experience inspired him to pursue his Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University, where classroom placements further confirmed that teaching was where he was meant to be.

What drew Henry to Cedar Grove was the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students in an environment that values curiosity, kindness, and learning through experience. He believes children thrive when they feel known, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them.

As Lead Teacher, Henry strives to create a classroom where every child feels safe, respected, and encouraged to take risks in their learning. He believes that strong relationships, curiosity, and a positive classroom culture allow students to grow both academically and personally.

Outside the classroom, Henry enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, biking, and exploring nature. He also has a lifelong love of sports and believes that time outdoors and active play are an important part of a balanced childhood.

Henry brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine passion for helping children develop confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Jasmin Wakeling

Assistant Teacher

Jaz is thrilled to be joining Cedar Grove as an Assistant Teacher. She brings a positive attitude, a passion for all things nature, and experience working with children in both outdoor and educational settings. Jaz is excited to share her knowledge of the natural world, helping children discover the incredible diversity of species, the interconnectedness of ecosystems, and the importance of caring for our planet, each other, and ourselves.

Jaz graduated with Honours from Trent University with a degree in Environmental Resource Science. Through her own experiences with experiential learning, exploration, and taking thoughtful risks, she developed a deep appreciation for nature-based education and its emphasis on curiosity, creativity, and connection with nature.

In her personal life, Jaz spends as much time outdoors as possible, often exploring new trails with her dog or listening for unfamiliar bird calls. She feels truly grateful to be a part of the Cedar Grove community and is excited to support each child’s growth, confidence, and love of learning.

Kelly Purves

Teaching Assistant & Administrative Assistant

Kelly is a lifelong learner and dedicated environmental steward with a history rooted in the natural world. She supports Cedar Grove School through both administration and student learning, bringing a grounded presence to the school’s daily operations and living classroom.

Kelly’s expertise is built on three decades of work in conservation and sustainable farming. She studied Environmental Technology at Algonquin College and Food Security at TMU, and has a passion for botany. Her practice is enriched by her background facilitating outdoor experiences for families and youth, as well as her training as a yoga practitioner for both children and adults.

Kelly’s two nature-raised boys have been her greatest teachers, inspiring her to live more intuitively. On this path she has learned to advocate for fueling the body with whole foods, cultivating inner awareness, and weaving movement into everyday life.

To Kelly, being in the presence of children is sweet magic. She believes in creating spaces where wonder is the curriculum and children can develop a lasting connection with the wild world.

Marissa Norton

Head of School

Marissa Norton brings more than twenty years of experience in education and a heartfelt commitment to nurturing children, supporting families, and building thriving learning communities.

A graduate of Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Education and York University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Health Science, she is an Ontario Certified Teacher whose career spans private and public education, school leadership, consulting, and advocacy. Most recently she served nine years as Principal of Applewood Academy.

At the heart of Marissa’s work is a deep respect for the individuality of each child. She believes education is not simply the transmission of knowledge but the nurturing of the whole human being, and her experience in trauma-informed practice, special education, and therapeutic crisis intervention shapes her commitment to safe, inclusive spaces. As Head of School, she leads through relationship-building and collaboration, supporting a culture where educators keep growing, families feel welcomed, and children discover their place in the world.

Originally from Toronto and raised in Prince Edward County, Marissa is grateful to call this community home alongside her two teenage children. She finds inspiration in the natural world and believes some of life’s richest learning happens beyond the classroom walls.

Claire Telford

Co-Founder, Operational Support

Claire is a Co-Founder of Cedar Grove School, bringing a deep commitment to community and to the vision that shaped the school from its earliest days.

She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and spent five years studying and practicing homeopathic medicine, deepening her understanding of whole-person wellness and the interconnectedness of body, mind, and environment — values that resonate strongly with holistic, nature-based education.

Earlier in her career, she lived and worked in Japan as an English teacher, where she also studied Japanese language and culture, broadening her perspective on education as a bridge between people and communities.

Claire is the founder of Telford, a local personal care line rooted in simplicity and care. Her entrepreneurial spirit brings creativity, initiative, and thoughtful stewardship to her leadership at Cedar Grove. A mother of three and partner to Nick Sorbara, whose family stewards the land Cedar Grove calls home, Claire is deeply connected to the school’s place and purpose and is devoted to nurturing a grounded, thriving community for children and families alike.