Congratulating Gillian Kydd, Our First Zoo School Teacher

We’re thrilled to share that Gillian Kydd, co-founder of Campus Calgary/Open Minds (CCOM) and the first Zoo School teacher at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, has been appointed to the Order of Canada!

In 1993, the zoo became the flagship Open Minds site, inspired by a vision from well-known Calgary philanthropist Don Harvie to create a permanent school at the zoo. When Don connected with Gillian Kydd, a specialist with the Calgary Board of Education science team, and Angela Rokne, a Grade 3 teacher with the Calgary Board of Education, that vision began to take shape.

Together, they brought the idea to life: a dedicated classroom at the zoo, used each week by a different class. As Gillian believed, one week at the zoo could spark year-long — and even life-long — learning.

Congratulations to Gillian — we’re proud to be part of her impressive legacy!