Founders & Operators

Dr. Jill Wheeler
Jill has 30 years experience as a professional educator and holds a Doctorate of Education. As a Professor of Education at the University of Alaska, Jill developed curriculum and instructed educators around the world and in bush Alaska. Her devotion and dedication to the teaching profession is unparalleled and has earned her numerous achievement awards including Outstanding Educator of the Year. Jill lives in Eagle River, Alaska and has traveled extensively throughout the state including its most remote regions. She is a nationally certified interpretive guide and an Alaskan exploration leader.

Tonia L. Gilkey
Tonia is a Maine native, who lives in Anchorage, Alaska. She has 28 years experience as a group tour operator and business owner. Tonia developed and escorted hundreds of tours throughout the Northeast including frequent forays to Boston, New York City and Canada. Tonia worked extensively with students, educators and special interest groups creating customized education and adventure tours. Most recently she guided group tours to Denali National Park and the sub-arctic. She is a certified interpretive guide and an Alaskan exploration leader.

Affiliations
Alaska Educational Tours is a member of important organizations and professional associations.

Awards & Grants
Alaska Educational Tours was fortunate to have won several competitions for its business concept and plan for bringing tourism dollars to rural Alaska.
The Alaska Marketplace brings together visionaries, financiers, technical experts and entrepreneurs in an ideas competition that promotes new business concepts which employ innovative ways of delivering and selling products and services, creating jobs, increasing revenue and driving economic development in rural Alaska communities.

2006 Winners - Tourism
2007 Winners - Innovative Use of Natural Resources

The Tourism Mentorship Assistance Program (TMAP) represents an 18-month long program that partners current successful business owners in Alaska’s visitor industry with potential business owners committed to furthering the development of the visitor industry in
Alaska’s rural areas.

2006-2008 Participants - Anchorage