Ali Wade Cottle ‘04: CRMS Planted Seeds for Life-Long Learning

Ali Wade Cottle’s upbringing, experiences at CRMS, love for hands-on learning, and commitment to an active lifestyle have shaped her life in the Roaring Fork Valley. Little did she know that following her passions would lead her back to the classroom. Ali now has her own in-home daycare, Thompson Schoolhouse, which serves children from 2 to 6 years old. She collaborates with families and children to foster a sense of stewardship and care for themselves, others, and the places that bring them joy in ways that inspired her own lifelong learning. 

Ali, a proud second-generation CRMS student, following in the footsteps of her mother, Heidi Estin Wade ‘73. Growing up in the Roaring Fork Valley alongside her sister Kelly ‘01, there was never any doubt about where they would attend high school. Before stepping into 9th grade, Ali felt a strong connection to the CRMS community, thanks to her sister Kelly. Ali, an enthusiastic middle school ski racer, would catch the CRMS ski bus with the Alpine Ski Racing Team to practice after school. 

Once at CRMS, Ali fully immersed herself in skiing and kayaking; she was an active member of both the ski team and tele-team, and competed in kayaking competitions around the globe. “I lived and breathed teleskiing and kayaking at CRMS. It was a safe haven where I could try new things, push my personal limits, and learn from my mistakes,” she says. Throughout her time at CRMS, Ali built lasting friendships with peers and faculty, recalling how wilderness trips fostered her deep appreciation for the outdoors. “The wilderness trips taught me stewardship for the earth, myself, and my community. CRMS helped me learn how to be authentic, kind, and passionate.” She chuckles as she reminisces about one of her household jobs: cleaning and taking out the trash at the CRMS Preschool.

From her earliest experiences teaching preschool and after gaining several years of experience, Ali knew she needed to open Thompson Schoolhouse. While her students start and end their days in the classroom, they spend most of their time outside exploring and connecting with the community. Thompson Schoolhouse teaches children essential life-skills and values through a relationship-centered, nature-focused, and seasonal curriculum. While creating a strong foundation for lifelong learning and environmental stewardship, Thompson Schoolhouse is committed to igniting a passion for exploration and discovery in children, promoting a deep appreciation and curiosity for the world around them, and fostering a sense of belonging within their community.” From personal experiences and training, Ali knows the importance of actively guiding children and when to sit back and let them wrestle with their own learning and problem-solving. “The best part of my work is witnessing a child master a new skill; the pride they exude as they practice and share their understanding with me is truly fulfilling.”

When Ali is not working, she spends time with her family, kayaking, skiing, and doing “any single thing” outdoors. Ali and her husband, Dodge, are the proud parents of Wade Cottle, born in 2022. Ali feels fortunate to raise their daughter right across the street from CRMS, maintaining connections with friends and teachers from her school days. She treasures the memories from her time at CRMS, which indeed laid the groundwork for her lifelong learning journey. Ali offers this advice to current CRMS students: “Enjoy it and try everything! You’ll never be younger or have more energy.”