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Curtis Shepard Educator & Summer Adventurer

Curtis Shepard

Grade 5 & 6 Teacher

Curtis’s own lifelong learning goals and experiences thus far have embedded in him a sense of wonder that he seeks to share with his students.

background & bio

Curtis's Experience

Curtis holds a BEd from Nipissing University Schulich School of Education and during his time there toured much of Northern Ontario by paddle, foot, and bus. Curtis’ most recent teaching pursuits took place in Seoul, South Korea where he taught kindergarten and grade one for several years.

Through teaching kindergarten in an ESL program, Curtis developed his skills in teaching and managing younger groups of students through a wide array of experiential trips and lesson planning. Curtis took full advantage of being on the far side of the globe and spent a lot of his free time exploring all that Asia had to offer.

personal philosophy

Curtis's Passions and Goals

With an undying curiosity, Curtis wishes to support young learners so that they may best discover more about the world and themselves. He brings a passion for finding wonder in the natural world, a calm approach to finding solutions, and a high level of enthusiasm every day at WILDE.

Curtis believes deeply in establishing and maintaining a connection to the land. His experience working a season on a regenerative perma-culture farm impressed upon him the value of caring for nature and entirely altered his viewpoint of interacting with the environment around us.

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fun facts!

About Curtis

Born and raised in Brampton, Ontario, Curtis explored the small residential creeks and forests in the suburban sprawl, playing organized hockey and soccer. He always did well in motion, discovering early on that he was a kinesthetic learner, and in his teenage years was introduced to spelunking and hiking in the Niagara Escarpment.

When he was not in school or working, Curtis was planning trips to the corners of Ontario he had on his lists of places to hike, climb, and swim: Killarney, Tobermory, Metcalfe Rock, Mt Nemo, and Sault Ste Marie. When not out hiking, Curtis often expresses his creativity through skateboarding and believes that passion projects are an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

the wildE school team

Meet Our Team & Faculty

The exceptional and diverse team at WILDE School Blue Mountains is committed to transforming education through a mix of traditional and innovative strategies. We believe in every child's potential and guide them to become lifelong learners and future leaders.

Brayden-Plummer-Blue-Mountains-Wild-School-Faculty

Firstname

Position Title

Introduction to staff member.

Leah Peyton Program Director

Leah

Program Director / Camp Director

Leah is a creative and passionate person focused on outdoor learning and weaving the WILDE way into every part of children’s lives—both inside and beyond WILDE.

Diane Niec Kindergarten Teacher

Diane

Kindergarten Teacher

Diane is a multifaceted educator who combines her diverse skills to offer a uniquely immersive and creative learning experience.

Curtis Shepard Educator & Summer Adventurer

Curtis

Grade 5 & 6 Teacher

Curtis’s own lifelong learning goals and experiences thus far have embedded in him a sense of wonder that he seeks to share with his students.

Jeff Barrett Founder & Executive Director

Jeff

Founder & Executive Director

Jeff is the visionary founder of WILDE School Blue Mountains, with a rich background in outdoor education and ecotourism, dedicated to fostering a new generation of passionate, educated changemakers through meaningful educational experiences.

Garrin Carter Naturalist and Bushcraft Instructor

Garrin

Naturalist and Bushcraft Instructor

Garrin is a passionate nature connection facilitator that uses bushcraft and survival skills to help others relate to their natural surroundings .

Maria Hodgkinson Kindergarten EA

Maria

Kindergarten EA

"Hi, I’m Maria! I strive to help kids discover confidence and curiosity through outdoor learning. I love being part of an environment that supports growth, and I aim to build strong, supportive connections with students and staff."

Brayden Plummer Director of Education

Brayden

Director of Education

After getting over kicking himself for not starting something like WILDE School 20 years ago, Brayden is honoured to be a leading member of the WILDE team.

Sophie Keil Teacher

Sophie

Grade 7 & 8 Teacher

"I strive to empower students as critical thinkers and independent learners, encouraging them to follow their interests while supporting their unique academic needs."

Leah Ramalho Leadership & WILDE Friday

Leah

Leadership & WILDE Friday Director & Occasional Teacher

Leah is a dedicated outdoor educator with a strong background in environmental education and a deep commitment to connecting children with nature.

CD Shrack Teacher

CD

Grade 4 & 5 Teacher

CD is a teacher and lifelong learner who inspires students through exploration, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to become well rounded, capable humans.

Ali Bush Director of Teaching and Learning / Teacher

Ali

Director of Teaching and Learning / Teacher

Ali inspires her students to be engaged, critical thinkers and creative problem solvers through her interactive teaching approach, deeply rooted in respect for the environment and a passion for healthy active living.

Shelagh McKee Occasional and French Teacher

Shelagh

Grade 2 & 3 Teacher

Shelagh is an educator with experience teaching students all over the globe.

Dave Bus Driver

Dave

The Wilde Bus Driver

Dave is the beloved driver of The Wilde Bus, known for his unwavering reliability, friendly demeanour, and the profound trust he has earned from both the parents and children of our school community.

Pam Green Educator

Pam

Grade 1 & 2 Teacher

Passionate about sustainability, creativity, and adventure, Pam brings learning to life through exploration, foraging, and connecting with the land. She also shares her love of horses, weaving stories and lessons from her lifelong journey.

Olivia Damsma Music & French Teacher

Olivia

Music/French Teacher

Olivia is our Music and French teacher, who values nature's classroom through nurturing creativity, curiosity, and connection through outdoor learning.

Interested in Joining the Team at Wilde School?

Empower the leaders of tomorrow and make a lasting difference in the world of education.