Cotler reduced her acting roles while she attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning a degree in Social Sciences.

In 2004, Cotler accepted the job as co-director of the Ocean Charter School, a position held until 2007 when she started her own educational consulting business.

She served as the founding Principal of Environmental Charter Middle School, an educational facility in southern Los Angeles County, California.

In addition to working as an educator, Cotler ran her own boutique travel company and managed a San Francisco cafe.

In 2010, Cotler was seen on a Waltons cast reunion and series retrospective that aired on cable network INSP.