Alumni Spotlight: Matt Wilcox

In celebration of our 25th anniversary of Ambleside School, each month we’ll be featuring a short spotlight article about graduates of our school and what they’re doing now.

Matt Wilcox’s education at Ambleside went way beyond his eighth grade graduation in 2008.

That’s because Ambleside runs deep in the Wilcox veins.

Beginning in Matt’s fourth grade year, his mother, Ginnie Wilcox, stepped into leadership at Ambleside as the head of school for 18 years. His father, Randy, served as the unofficial chaplain and advisor to the head of school during Ginnie's tenure. Even his grandfather enjoyed time at Ambleside when he spoke at a particularly memorable Veterans Day chapel, sharing his experiences of serving in WWII as a B-17 pilot. He was a captivating storyteller and commanded the attention of Matt and his classmates.

Storytelling is not only imparted to Matt by his grandfather, but also through his Ambleside education. While the readings of The Hiding Place and The Yearling rank high in his fond school memories, it was Shakespeare that captivated him. Adopting the Bard's characters and connecting on a deeper level with classmates while acting out iconic scenes were especially meaningful for him.

It was moments like these at Ambleside that Matt gained such a profound appreciation for the very essence of education. So much so that he is now a teacher at Ambleside Colorado serving as the ninth grade and high school lead teacher.

“At the time, I didn't quite grasp it, but experiencing education as inherently good, well, that's transformative,” Matt reflects. “I picked up on that atmosphere in school and wanted to be a part of it in adulthood.”

Today, Matt's conviction is unwavering. He knows and teaches with the mindset that education is more than a path to knowledge. To be educated is to fulfill our purpose as God's creation.

Matt says, “An Ambleside education subverts the question ‘When am I going to use this?’ because the point isn't just to use things, it's to learn about God. And that changes everything.”

As an embodiment of Ambleside's philosophy, Matt continues to inspire, educate, and lead with unwavering passion. And we couldn't be prouder.