Meet our team
Jeff Barrett, Canadian WILDE Schools Founder & Executive Director
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profile
About Jeff
Jeff Barrett, Founder and Executive Director of Canadian Wild Schools has taught outdoor education at Upper Canada College in Toronto, Outward Bound, Summit, and Alive Outdoors.
Jeff has a rich background in outdoor education and ecotourism, and has been involved in many other ecoresort programs and developments from Alaska to Oman:
- He founded Routes Adventures Inc., a wilderness adventure program for youth in transition.
- He developed and ran a bear-viewing lodge for the Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation in the Great Bear Rainforest in BC
- He has guided many expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic.
- He founded a community ecotourism program in Arviat, Nunavut.
- He helped with the development of a tourism industry for the Carcross Tagish First Nation in Carcross
Qualifications: He holds 2 Masters Degrees, one in Planning and the other in Landscape Architecture.
philosophy
Jeff's Philosophy & Approach
Approach
Jeff founded Canadian Wild Schools in order to create a more meaningful educational experience that would ignite his own children’s curiosity and love for learning, while also gaining important real-world life lessons and skills along the way.
He is passionate about developing a new generation of changemakers that also have the passion, the drive and the education to make a meaningful impact in our future.
Fun Facts
Jeff grew up near the ravines of the Don Valley river in Toronto, the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
From an early age he had a passion for the outdoors and adventure that later took him on countless adventures to all 7 continents and across the Canadian Arctic.
Meet our team
All Faculty & Staff
Browse through our staff profiles and meet the team at WILDE School of Yukon.
Carrie
Teacher
Carrie believes in building a classroom community that embraces the inclusion and involvement of all students, staff, and community members and connects them with the local environment.
Ali
Canadian WILDE Schools Director of Teaching & Learning
Ali inspires 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.
Jeff
Canadian WILDE Schools Founder & Executive Director
Jeff is the visionary founder of Canadian WILDE Schools, dedicated to fostering a new generation of passionate, educated changemakers through meaningful educational experiences.
Jesse
Teacher, Principal, Executive Director
Jesse Jewell has dedicated his life's work to connecting people with the water and land based on the belief that nature is both a teacher and a healer.
Hilary
Summer Camp Director, Teacher
Hilary's philosophy is to remain curious about everything life and nature has to offer, to always inspire wonder and to welcome lifelong growth.
Shannon
Teacher
Shannon is thrilled for the opportunity to work, play and grow together with children in the forest at WILDE School.