Learn About Us
Green Schools Nova Scotia is an exciting initiative brought to you by Efficiency Nova Scotia to enhance environmental sustainability at schools. This free program helps support students, teachers, and the larger school community as they learn to waste less and become more energy efficient.
Reducing energy consumption is the best way to mitigate climate change, and we are focused on energy! While we start from that foundation, we cover a spectrum of environmental concerns including energy, waste, water, transportation, and food. There are five pillars to the Green Schools NS program: Getting Started With Energy, Minimizing Waste, Using Water Responsibly, Living and Moving Green, and Supporting Local.
Engagement Officers work with students, teachers, and school communities across the province to strengthen sustainable behaviour that helps the Earth. The program supports community efforts to reduce energy waste and to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Through curriculum linked education, resources, presentations, and initiatives, Green Schools community members can discover more about the impact of consumption habits, and how to waste less.
Using resources efficiently and considering our environmental footprint are necessary skills as the global community unites to address climate change. The foundational experience students gain from Green Schools NS cultivates sustainable choices and behaviours that stick around for good.
Meet Our Team
Ruvi Mugara
Ruvi is originally from the small country of Zimbabwe, in Africa, and she joined the Green Schools team back in 2018 as an Engagement Officer. Growing up in Africa meant she learnt all about resource conservation at a very young age, and has always been aware of how fortunate we are to have the earth provide us with everything we would need.
She is a real DIY queen and believes we can repurpose anything old into something new and beautiful with a little love and patience. She is a mom of 2 kids, so when not working, you can catch her enjoying walks or working on a craft with her kiddies.
Elvira Tutic
Elvira recently joined the Green Schools Team as the Program Coordinator in the summer of 2025. With over 20+ years in customer service and leadership roles, she welcomes this new and exciting opportunity to dive into such an important environmental program.
Elvira prides herself on making a difference within her team and the programs she’s involved with. A background in Art and Design, Elvira received her Masters Degree in Fine Arts from Indiana University and continues creative endeavours outside of work. She finds inspiration from nature, travel, and music.
Riley Marcotte
Riley is a Program Assistant at Green Schools NS and a co-op student from Dalhousie University, where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Riley moved to Ontario in 2019 for high school before settling in Halifax in 2023 to begin his post-secondary studies.
Passionate about community engagement and sustainability, Riley is excited to be joining the Green Schools team, supporting educational programming that empowers students to make environmentally conscious choices. Everyone thrives in roles that allow them to connect with others and bring energy and positivity to every interaction, and Riley is thrilled to be part of it.
Outside of work, Riley enjoys spending time with friends, playing guitar, and meeting new people. He is always looking to build new connections and enjoys sharing experiences that bring people together.
Luisa Suarez
Luisa is thrilled to return as the Northern Engagement Officer, reconnecting with students and communities across the region. With a strong passion for environmental stewardship, she brings both experience and enthusiasm to the role.
Originally from Colombia, Luisa moved to Canada at a young age and now holds an undergraduate degree in Aquatic Resources from STFX University and a Master’s degree in Marine Science and Climate Change from the University of Gibraltar. Her academic background fuels a deep commitment to promoting sustainable practices and empowering others to develop positive habits.
Outside of work, Luisa can often be found exploring the outdoors on camping trips, enjoying the peace of nature, or gathered around a table for a good board game.
Aaron VanTassel
New Green Schools Engagement Officer!
Coming from a career background working with kids as a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach, Aaron is enthusiastic about education and being a role model for today’s youth.
Aaron graduated from New Brunswick Community College in 2025 with a certificate in Justice Studies and is now looking forward to starting a career in the public service with Green Schools NS, focusing on making a positive change in the world.
Shandel Brown
Shandel joined the Green Schools team in January 2016 as the Engagement Officer for Cape Breton and is now the Program Manager. Originally from Alberta, Shandel has been slowly making her way around the country, recently making Cape Breton her home.
She explored the west coast of British Columbia while taking a Liberal Arts and Science degree at Quest University Canada. Quest broadened her world view and prompted her to question our relationship with the Earth’s complex ecosystems.
After a year of learning French and teaching English in Sherbrooke, Québec, Shandel made her first visit to the Maritimes for a summer job in Chéticamp, Cape Breton. Her master’s degree in Environment and Resource Studies from the University of Waterloo allowed her to return to Nova Scotia to study how a sense of place affects fishermens’ ability to deal with climate change and other social and economic changes.
Shandel recently came back to her farming roots when she moved to a fifth generation farm in the picturesque Margaree Valley where she now lives with her partner, Ben. When she’s not encouraging kids to play outside, grow vegetables and reduce energy consumption, you can find her cross-country skiing or feeding her pet calf named Coo.
Katie Reeves
Katie joined Green Schools in 2023 as an Engagement Officer and now works as a Program Specialist. With a background in administrative roles and a degree in Agriculture, she brings a strong understanding of the natural world and a love for connecting with people.
Elisa McLester
Elisa is excited to be joining the Green Schools NS team once again this year, this time as the new Green Careers Engagement Officer!
Elisa jumped into the Green Schools team in April 2025, supporting with in-person and virtual engagements within HRM. She quickly developed an interest in educating youth about living sustainably and exploring careers within the green sector.
Although she likes to keep herself busy with different projects, in her free time Elisa enjoys dancing, cooking, and exploring local shops and restaurants.
Taolue Liu
Taolue is excited to be back with Green Schools Nova Scotia as an Engagement Officer this school year!
With an M.A. in TESL from the University of Idaho, Taolue has taught Mandarin Chinese as an additional language in secondary schools in the United States. While living in Beijing, China, Taolue also worked with several non-profit organizations to lead interdisciplinary project-based learning and citizen science programs—experiences that sparked a passion for energy conservation and ecological education.
In 2023, Taolue moved to Maritime Canada and earned a certificate in American Sign Language (ASL) from the NSCC. Taolue is excited to inspire students across Nova Scotia to explore energy efficiency and environmental awareness. In his free time, you can often find Taolue wandering along the breathtaking coastlines and hidden hiking trails of Atlantic Provinces with a camera in hand, capturing the beauty of everyday moments.
Jonah Campbell
Jonah has been an Engagement Officer since February 2024, first for the northern region, and now for HRM and CSAP.
Inspired by a long career in the summer-camp sphere, Jonah is a lover of all things camping, hiking, and the great outdoors. He’s spent quality outdoor time in our beautiful provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and of course his home province of Nova Scotia.
Jonah graduated from Dalhousie University with a degree in Theatre, so when he has to spend time inside you can usually find him at the theatre performing in local improv comedy shows. Jonah loves to live, laugh, and eat, and is a big fan of good food from around the world.