You can view a list of the available classes here.

My very favorite thing is when I can offer instruction that allows everyone, regardless of their support needs or learning challenges, to experience success, to be independent, and to be safe. I am supremely excited to be doing exactly that with these classes at GW RECenter this fall! If these classes don’t meet a need for you, please feel free to share the information with a friend. Would you like to know more about me as an instructor? Check out my recent FAQ post about teaching Adapted Aquatics for students with disabilities.

I have been differentiating students in mainstream group swim and aquatic fitness classes and offering private and semi private swim lessons tailored to students with all kinds of support needs since 2017, when I started my Swim Instructor Journey by teaching my own two kids to swim. I had tried and failed to find an instructor who understood their learning needs, and that prompted my commitment to creating access to water safety and independence for other families like mine.

After many years of following my instincts and experience, I am also now a certified Swim Whisperer through Swim Angelfish. In addition to the training they offer for professionals, they have some free resources for parents and caregivers! Here is one on blowing bubbles and one on reinforcing muscle memory between lessons.

Happy swimming!

NEW! Find out how to register for my upcoming Adapted Aquatics Classes here!

As a result, I have accepted more hours at Long Bridge in Arlington County. I will have some “inter session” private lessons during the first two weeks of January, and some regular session private lessons as well. I will also be teaching parent & child classes there on Saturday mornings, and other group classes that are still to be determined.

I’ll be offering as many private lessons as I can in Fairfax, probably mainly on days when the high school teams are not practicing due to school breaks, and will release my calendar for those as soon as possible. I know this is a disappointing update to many, and I’m sorry! Please let me know if you want me to provide leveling information so you can look for a group class or team for your student. And if your kids have been practicing with a great team that they love, please pass the information along and I’ll share your recommendation!

Thank you all, as always, for being the amazing people you are. It is truly a joy to swim with your families.

Current private lesson families can also visit my calendar to book a lesson. Thanks!

See you at the pool.

I will be teaching all but one week of these classes! (The second week of August- I’m not sure who will sub for me but I will make sure they are well prepared with lesson plans, so that week should be just as awesome as the rest!) I will have levels 1-4 for kids age 3-6 and levels 1-3 for kids age 6-13.

I can’t promise your kid will be able to out-swim a shark if they sign up, but I *can* promise they will have fun, learn how to stay safe around water, and that you can skip the sunscreen for at least one thing this summer since we are an indoor pool. You can get class codes here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UewIm-PWj_8h4uVpQaQR6VLLKeAFIGI8g1uisZc-BAI/edit?usp=sharing and sign up through Parktakes here: https://fairfax.usedirect.com/FairfaxFCPAWeb/ACTIVITIES/Search.aspx (just put the class code in the search text box and it should come up!)

**I will also continue to teach all the parent/child classes offered at Mt Vernon- they are on the weekends and you can find them by putting the location and your child’s age into the search box at the Parktakes link above, and looking for “and me” in the class name!

2/28/22 update: Per the latest CDC guidance and our local “green” transmission status, I am offering the option to request that I wear a mask during your child’s lesson. You do not need to give a reason! I am happy to protect my students by wearing a mask for everything except demonstrations if that’s your preference.

There is a video of me wearing a mask and talking about COVID procedures in the FAQ. Please feel free to request additional, personalized video for your child, if a preview will help them get used to seeing me in my mask.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for being so forthright and proactive about canceling if your child is ill or has a confirmed or suspected exposure to a COVID positive person! Your transparency has helped me maintain my confidence that I can teach without endangering my students. 

The RECenter page outlining current COVID protocols is here, if you’d like to review it: FCPA Coronavirus Response Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

See you soon!

For your convenience, here is a copy of the cancellation policy you agreed to when you submitted your private lesson request form:

“General cancellations require a minimum of 48 hour notice. Cancellations due to illness require a minimum of 6 hour notice. During inclement weather, if the RECenter is open, but you are unable to attend your lesson, a minimum of 4 hour notice is required. Customer will be charged the full lesson rate in the event of a no call no show.” (Original is here.)

I know that sometimes things come up! Whenever possible I am flexible with accepting cancellations without charge. However, it can be difficult or impossible for me to rearrange my schedule to close gaps on short notice, so I appreciate everyone being proactive about canceling when they have a conflict.