Vanessa Stanley

Vanessa Stanley – Educator, Vice Principal (Burnaby)

Vanessa was born and raised on the BC Coast. She studied at Vancouver Island University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Post Bachelor in Education. After leaving school she travelled and taught for several years in the UK. On returning to Canada, she founded a Forest School program on Vancouver Island and has spent the last several years inspiring a love of nature in young people in her community. Over the past decade she has been involved in the creation of other modern education programs that are rooted in the belief that education should be self-directed and holistic. Her educational philosophy is passion-focused, place-based and student-led, and focuses on the individual needs of the student and their connection to themselves, their community and the beautiful place we all call home. When not in school, Vanessa can be found spending time in nature, gardening, reading, acquiring new knowledge, and learning new skills.

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