Director
Ali is an educational leader and one of the driving forces behind Wilde School Blue Mountains. At the heart of her work is a deeply personal goal: to help build the kind of school she wants her own children to grow up in.
Ali completed her undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor before earning her Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education, with a focus in Physical Education and Outdoor Education.
Her career in education has included working within the local public school system as well as at independent schools in Toronto, giving her experience across a range of educational environments, age groups, and approaches to learning.
Throughout her career, Ali has been drawn to education that moves beyond the traditional classroom. Her background in athletics, outdoor education, physical education, and experiential learning has strongly influenced her belief that children learn best when they are active participants in their education, when they are challenged to think, create, collaborate, explore, take appropriate risks, and apply their learning to the world around them.
At Wilde, Ali’s role extends across all aspects of the school. As Director, she works closely with Wilde's leadership team and educators to shape programming, support staff, strengthen school-wide practices, build community, and continually evolve the experience WILDE provides for its students and families.
Ali believes that education should prepare children not simply to succeed in school, but to become capable, curious, confident people who know how to think for themselves.
She is passionate about creating an environment where strong academics exist alongside creativity, physical challenge, outdoor exploration, leadership, problem solving, and genuine responsibility. She believes some of the most powerful learning happens when children are given the opportunity to experience the world firsthand rather than simply read about it.
Nature is central to Ali’s philosophy. She believes children need meaningful and consistent relationships with the natural world, not only because of what it can teach them, but because those experiences foster independence, resilience, confidence, stewardship, and a lifelong appreciation for the places around them.
As both an educator and a parent, Ali is continually inspired by the question: What should school look like if we were designing it around what children truly need to thrive?
That question continues to guide her work at Wilde and her commitment to creating an exceptional school for her own children and every child who becomes part of the Wilde community.
Ali’s happiest places are outside, preferably somewhere near Georgian Bay.
She grew up with a love of athletics and competed provincially in a variety of sports. Soccer has always been particularly close to her heart, alongside running, mountain biking, snowboarding, paddling, canoeing, hiking, and just about anything that gets her outside and moving.
Summers are often spent camping with her family, spending time on Georgian Bay, travelling by boat or canoe, paddling the shoreline, exploring islands, and spending as much time outside as possible. In the winter, she trades the water for snow and can usually be found on the ski hill or exploring the trails.
Ali is also an accomplished musician and saxophonist. As a member of the National Youth Band, she had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, an experience that helped shape her appreciation for creativity, discipline, collaboration, and the arts.
Most importantly, Ali loves spending time with her children, and one of the unique joys of WILDE is that her work and family life are so closely connected. She gets to come to work alongside her kids, watch them grow within the school community, and experience Wilde not only as Director, but also as a parent.
For Ali, that makes the work deeply personal. WILDE is not simply a school she helps lead; it is a place she is helping build for her children, their peers, and the generations of students who will follow.
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.
Firstname
Position Title
Introduction to staff member.
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."
Garrin
Substitute Teacher
Garrin is a passionate nature connection facilitator that uses bushcraft and survival skills to help others relate to their natural surroundings .
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.
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."
Olivia
Substitute Teacher
Olivia is our Music and French teacher, who values nature's classroom through nurturing creativity, curiosity, and connection through outdoor learning.
Laura
Grade 2 & 3 Teacher
Laura is a creative and driven educator who believes in the power of curiosity. She loves to facilitate the unique strengths and passions of her students, encouraging creativity and courage throughout the learning process.
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.
Ali
Director
Ali is an educational leader and one of the driving forces behind Wilde School Blue Mountains. At the heart of her work is a deeply personal goal: to help build the kind of school she wants her own children to grow up in.
CD
Bushcraft & Leadership & The Arts
CD is a teacher and lifelong learner who inspires students through exploration, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to become well rounded, capable humans.
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.
Leah
Administrator & 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.
Leah
Substitute Teacher
Leah is a dedicated outdoor educator with a strong background in environmental education and a deep commitment to connecting children with nature.
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.
Carly
WILDE Friday & French
Carly is an adventurous educator with a rich background in international development, sustainability, and leadership.
Diane
Kindergarten Teacher
Diane is a multifaceted educator who combines her diverse skills to offer a uniquely immersive and creative learning experience.
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.
Interested in Joining the Team at Wilde School?
Empower the leaders of tomorrow and make a lasting difference in the world of education.