Linda Cotnam was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. She is a wife, mother of three, teacher, administrator and life-long learner. Her educational journey has been a continual endeavour for her and includes, but is not limited to, teaching qualifications that certify her in outdoor education, early childhood education management and for teaching in both elementary and secondary panels. Her greatest joys have been in raising her three children and working with and or coaching youth of various ages. Her belief is that you will always be happy if you can truly enjoy a good book under a maple tree, and her hobbies include playing billiards, piano, being active and learning for the love of it. Her greatest hope is that children learn to read and use it to gain knowledge and wisdom so that they can be the best they can be in whatever they choose to do, resulting in kind and caring human beings.