Meet The Educators
Robyn Akehurst
Robyn Akehurst the Founder of Alpine Learning. She is a trained Education Assistant with a back ground in Special Education. She brings extensive experience with working with school aged children with all learning profiles. Robyn has training in both intellectual and physical learning differences. She works regularly with high performance sports athletes as well as students with specific medical needs.
Robyn brings experience working with students on the Autism spectrum and has specific training in POPARD. Robyn has supported her clients with behaviour intervention, social skills and work experience.
Robyn is certified as a Jump Math Specialist which supports students excel in their mathematics abilities. She has resources to enrich students math abilities beyond their grade level.
In addition, Robyn is trained in Orton Gillingham. Her training offers students the opportunity to learning through a remedial explicit multi sensory approach to literacy.
Feel free to contact Robyn directly to speak about your child’s learning objectives.
Aisling Woods
With over twenty years of experience as a tutor, Ash is happy to share her passion for math education with learners in Whistler. After graduating from McGill and University of Toronto, she taught math full-time in Montreal and in the UK. She currently works as a teacher on call in the local school district and a tutor in Whistler. Ash has tutored students in remedial tutoring to enrichment. She is proficient in virtual and in person sessions. Ash can support students up to grade 12 in Foundations, Calculus, and Physics.
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Anna Earl
Anna has been working in education since 2008, gaining her Postgraduate Degree in Education at the University of New South Wales in 2010. Since then, she has worked with both children and adults, in middle, secondary and English language schools in the UK, Australia and Canada. Having worked in schools of an excellent caliber, she demands the highest standards of herself and the best from her students. She is passionate about learning and education.
She teaches all subjects to a middle school level and also specializes in high school Humanities subjects, particularly English, History and English as a Second Language.
Of British/French origin, Anna has spent her life traveling the world. Since moving to Whistler in August 2019, she has embraced the lifestyle here, enjoying hiking and snowboarding in her free time. She established Earl Education in 2020 in response to the tutoring and educational needs of local Sea to Sky residents. She offers tutoring for school students and English Language lessons for adults preparing for visa examinations.
Dayna Birch
Dayna brings extensive experience in education, coaching, and high-performance sport to her role at Alpine Learning. With a strong background in player development and leadership across elite hockey programs, she has worked closely with high-performing student-athletes, helping them successfully balance rigorous training schedules with academic expectations.
In her work within schools and sport organizations, Dayna has supported students in building strong academic foundations while developing the discipline, time management, and confidence needed to succeed at the next level. She has significant experience guiding students through university preparation, including course planning, application support, and post-secondary readiness.
Dayna is passionate about supporting youth in reaching their full potential both in the classroom and beyond. Her approach is structured, supportive, and goal-oriented, helping students stay motivated, organized, and prepared for future success.
David Harris
Originally from Glastonbury, UK, David began his teaching career in 2017 after completing his PGDE in Primary Education in the Scottish Highlands. He went on to teach in both the Highlands and the Edinburgh area before moving to Whistler in 2023, where he quickly developed a passion for the local community and mountain lifestyle while working with Whistler Blackcomb Ski School.
David has experience working with students aged 4–12 and has supported many students across the Sea to Sky corridor. He is dedicated to helping each child reach their full potential in a supportive and engaging environment. With a strong foundation in the Scottish curriculum, he focuses on setting achievable goals and fostering continuous growth, while prioritizing students’ well-being and confidence.
Outside the classroom, David enjoys skiing, hiking, surfing, and field hockey, and has been involved in coaching locally in Whistler.
Marie-Eve Cote
Marie-Ève Côté is originally from Quebec City and moved in 2020 to Whistler. She is a lover of the outdoors and understands the importance of enjoying the gifts that Whistler has to offer.
Working for more than 20 years in the financial field as an accountant, she quickly noticed since her arrival, the imminent needs for the French language tutor. As a mother of a 14 years old, she understands the needs and support that children require when it comes to their education.
Moving across the country where a new language was imposed on her son, her role as a mother took another dimension. Not only did her son needed extra support for school but for social environment as well. Marie has a foundation of how to tutor school aged children in french. She can help build confidence in their written and spoken language skills they can bring back to their classroom.
Marie is driven, patient and giving, making the education of your children a top priority.
Tom Blake
For Tom, teaching began when he was just 16, running maths and science revision sessions for his teammates on the school rugby squad, and has been a constant for a decade and a half since.
He graduated with a Master's Degree in Mathematics in 2015 and since then has taught ages from 8 to over 50 both in-person and online, with a focus on college-level math including calculus, mechanics and statistics. He takes a holistic approach to the subject, seeking to broaden understanding and appreciation of mathematical concepts by providing flexible explanations and adapting to an individual's needs.
When he is not teaching, Tom can often be found clinging to a rock wall by his fingertips or charging along the trails of Whistler in training for his next race.
Alaina Hay
Alaina is a longtime Whistler local with a strong background in education, wellness, and community-based work. She has over seven years of experience as a certified Education Assistant, supporting students with diverse learning needs and creating inclusive, engaging environments.
Alaina has worked with high-performance sport athletes, helping them balance academics with the demands of training and competition. She is especially passionate about supporting teenagers, guiding them to build confidence, independence, and effective learning habits.
With experience as a yoga instructor and ski coach, Alaina brings a well-rounded, active approach to her work. She studied Fine Arts at Okanagan University College and has additional training in POPARD. Deeply connected to the Whistler community, she is committed to creating positive, supportive learning experiences where students can thrive.