The Team

Co-Founder & Vice President

In her senior year at Hunter College, Alison made her first trip to Ghana for a summer travel abroad. Dissatisfied with her study abroad experience, she branched out and took the path less traveled. As a result, she met many of the children we work with today and introduced them to a new friend, Aaron. Her experience changed her life, inspiring her to return shortly after for another extended stay. After that year of travel she began graduate work in Early Childhood and General Education returning to Ghana during holidays and summers. After receiving a duel degree in 2008, she began teaching at Harriet Tubman Charter School in the South East Bronx, home to a large population of West Africans. Her work over the past six years laid the groundwork for Teach on the Beach.

"I am unconditionally dedicated to three things in my life: Family, Teaching and Ghana."

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Aankit first went to Ghana in October 2009 and spent 6 months teaching 3rd grade and after school programs in the small village of Nkwantakese, just north of Ghana's second city Kumasi. His experience was tough, eye-opening, and inspiring. The skills and lessons he learned while working for internet start-ups in New York City prior to his trip are now being put to use to build Teach on the Beach. He is a student of management, marketing, and finance, using his degree from NYU's Stern Business School as a foundation on which to lay the most innovative ideas from the world of for profit and not for profit business.

Michael Wagner is a core member of the Teach on the Beach team, having first come to Ghana in 2006. Since then Mike has spent a combined three years building, teaching and managing our programs. He built a quarter million dollar orphanage and a senior secondary school while also drawing plans for the St. Paul’s Charitable Organization during the time our founders’ worked with that organization.

During that time, Mike lived among the Ghanaians in the Nkwantakese Habitat for Humanity learning a great deal about the people and culture, but most importantly about how to get things done. His knowledge and experiences are critical to the development of our staff and contribute to our future success. Mike is a economics graduate of the Michigan State University.

 Chief Strategy Officer

Mr. Hébert is focusing on brand strategy, fundraising, and partnerships for Teach on the Beach.  His ability to weave relationships and sychronicity has driven him from the backwoods of Louisiana to the big city lights of Vegas, Hollywood, and the Big Apple.

As a graduate of Rhodes College, he focused his studies on Economics and German and actively volunteered as a Bonner Scholar and member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.  His focus on service began with a humanistic upbringing and extended into his youth through the UU Church of Baton Rouge.  This fall, he plans to study entrepreneurship at the Flores School of Business (Louisiana State University).  During his time there, he plans to actively push the agenda of Teach on the Beach, while focusing his education on cooperations, startups, and technology.

Jacob first became involved with Teach on the Beach in 2008 during a gap year between high school and university.  He was traveling from Accra to Timbuktu as part of an eight-month adventure in West Africa when he crossed paths with Aaron and the kids.  Before completing his travels, he spent four months living with the kids and teaching at a local primary school.  After completing his freshmen year at Whitman College, he is back in Ghana once more for five months of work and independent study.  Jacob is committed to the individual development of each child in our program and focuses on their growth academically, emotionally, and as educators of Ghana’s next generation.