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Private Instruction
Aquatics
The MIT Aquatics Program offers private instruction for both youth and adults (ages 3 and older). Please click on the below link for all of the detailed information including pricing.
Meet our Instructors:
Below is a list of our instructors. Please browse through their bios. We are very proud of the experienced and professional staff that we have assembled to help meet your aquatic needs.
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Name
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Christine Adams
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard
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Experience
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Christine has previously taught children in YMCA classes ranging from Parent/Infant to Level 6 for 3 years. Christine is also a lifeguard at the Zesiger Pool.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Teaching older youth
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Philosophy
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Swimming is an invaluable skill that given the opportunity everyone should learn.
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History/Background
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Christine swam on her local high school swim team in Wakefield from elementary school through high school.
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Hobbies
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Swimming, Pilates, and anything to do with the fashion industry
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Name
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Beth Blackman
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Arthritis Aquatics Instructor
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Experience
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Beth has experience teaching lessons through the YMCA, is a Red Cross Lifeguard, and has been a Water Safety Instructor for one year.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Beth's areas of expertise includes working with individuals of all ages for both group and private lessons. Beth has also coached Master's Swimming.
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Philosophy
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Just float.
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History/Background
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YMCA lifeguard and instructor
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Hobbies
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Swimming, running, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.
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Name
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Jimmy Carlson
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard
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Experience
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Jimmy has worked at the Zesiger Center since 2002. He started as a Deck Manager and Swim Instrcutor. Jimmy is now a full time lifeguard and part time swim instructor.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Stroke Technique coached workouts, and helping people incorporate swimming into theier workout routine.
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Philosophy
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"There is too much water in this world not to know how to swim."
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History/Background
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Grew up in CT and moved to Boston in August of 2000. Jimmy has lived all over the city and has worked at a couple of different pools. Jimmy attends school part time.
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Hobbies
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Snowboarding, swimming, cycling, basketball, and soccer. Jimmy is a very active person and he also enjoys listening to music and hanging out with friends. His other hobbies include; photography, graphic design, and gardening.
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Name
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Matt Creighton
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Matt has taught at a YMCA for 2 years and has taught at the Newton JCC for 2 years.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Swimming lessons
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Philosophy
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Work Hard.
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History/Background
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Born and raised in Allston, Matt is currently a student at Boston University.
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Hobbies
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Playing the piano, listening to music, watching movies, and he recently returned from a study abroad program in Isreal.
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Name
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A.J. Deraney
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard, and Preventing Disease Transmission
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Experience
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Head lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor in Merrimack NH from 2004-2006, Lifeguard at the YMCA in Merrimack NH from 2004 - present. MIT lifeguard and WSI from 2007 - present.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Teaching children the basics of swimming.
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Philosophy
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"Kids learn the best when they are having fun, so I am not afraid to have fun to make their time more enjoyable."
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History/Background
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AJ has taught in a pool and lake setting for the past 4 years and has been lifeguarding for the past 5 years.
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Hobbies
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AJ enjoys sports, music, and exploring Boston while working on his Nursing Degree at Northeastern University.
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Name
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Jaryn Finch
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Jaryn has coached the swimming and diving team at Brookline High School along with the gils Varsity Crew Team. She also assisted with diving instruction for the MIT Varsity Team and rowing with the Men's Lightweight Novice team. She has been teaching both diving and swimming lessons for the past 5 years.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Diving springboard and platform at all levels. Swimming both beginning and technique work for all ages and has designed training plans for all levels of athletics including dietary guidelines and advice.
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Philosophy
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"Build from the ground up. Creating a firm understanding and grasp of the basic techniques and building upon these."
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History/Background
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Started diving in 1994 coming from a background of gymnastics and ballet while swimming competitively. Jaryn was a 4 year varsity athlete at MIT in crew and a 3 year varsity athlete in diving.
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Hobbies
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Continues to row competitively with the riverside boat club, rock climbs hikes with her puppies, and reads whenever possible.
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Name
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Rachel Fontaine
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, and Lifeguarding
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Experience
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Rachel started as an assistant swim instructor at the age of 11 and obtained her WSI at the age of 17. She has been teaching lessons for 10 years now. In addition to teaching she also swam on her community swim team until she graduated from high school and then joined her college team where she was Captain her junion year.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Rachel enjoys teaching a wide veriety of swimmers from true beginners (floating, kicking, ect.) up through more advanced swimmers (Stroke Refinment, turns, ect.). She enjoys teaching both youth and adult swimmers.
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Philosophy
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"Swimming should be fun. It is one of the only sports that you can do from birth to old age. "
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History/Background
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Rachel was born and raised in NH. She attended Wheaton College in MA where she majored in Physics and Astronomy. She is currently seeing a Masters Degree in Medical Science at Boston University School of Medicine, and is applying for Medical School for the Fall of 2008.
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Hobbies
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Reading, photography, scrapbooking, and taking walks around the Boston area.
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Name
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Jeff Gilbert
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, and Lifeguarding
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Experience
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Jeff has been an instructor here at the Zesgier Center since 2005 and has experience in teaching both youth and adult for group and private lessons.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Rachel enjoys teaching a wide veriety of swimmers from true beginners (floating, kicking, ect.) up through more advanced swimmers (Stroke Refinment, turns, ect.). She enjoys teaching both youth and adult swimmers.
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Philosophy
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"There is no can't."
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History/Background
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Jeff swam for the MIT swim team while in school at MIT from 2002-2005. Jeff is currently an Assistant Swim Coach at the Cambridge YMCA.
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Hobbies
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Jeff enjoys snowboarding and sailing
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Name
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Linda Greene
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguarding, YMCA Certifications
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Experience
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Coaching and teaching group and private lessons for approximately 10 years.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Competitive, fitness workouts, and recreational from beginner to advanced. Linda also works with stroke technique.
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Philosophy
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"Nothing is impossible as long as you are willing to learn, keep an open mind, and never give up. Plus being able to swim is a skill that you can never be too young or too old to learn. And since 72% of the earth's surface is covered in water it is probably a good idea to learn to swim."
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History/Background
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Linda's parent's had her in the water as a toddler and she has not stopped swimming since then. She has been a member of several YMCA swim teams and went on to join her high school swim team.
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Hobbies
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Cooking, reading, working out, spending time with her friends, and watching professional sports. It's good to be a Boston Fan!
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Name
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Allyson Grossman
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, and Lifeguarding
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Experience
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Allyson has taught summer swimming lessons to kids ages 8 -14 years old, including private and group lessons. These lessons ranged from beginner through level 4.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Breaststroke, Sidestroke, Front Crawl, and Elementary Backstroke
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Philosophy
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It is her hope by the end of the session of any given swim class that the swimmers she instructs meet their goals, whether that may be overcoming a fear of the water or advancing to a high level.
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History/Background
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Allyson has always enjoyed swimming for leisure though she has never swam competitively. She decided to become a swim instructor and received her WSI certification so that she could teach as a counselor at the summer camp that she had attened as a child.
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Hobbies
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Outside of attending Boston University she is actively involved in BU's American Marketing Association and BU's Chapter of Sigma Kappa sorority. Allyson also enjoys photography, reading, and jewelry making in her free time.
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Name
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Conan Hom
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard
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Experience
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Conan has been a lifeguard as well as a sailing and rowing coach.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Stroke refinement
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Philosophy
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"You are always learning, even if you are not aware of it."
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History/Background
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Conan is an MIT graduate, native of the Boston area. He learned to swim at an early age on the insistance of one of his parents who nearly drowned when she was a child.
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Hobbies
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Music, sailing, and rowing.
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Name
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Laura Hillery
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Previous MIT Day Camp Counselor, she has taught through the YMCA and ARC program for five years
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Breaststroke and backstroke
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Philosophy
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"Work hard, but have fun doing it."
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History/Background
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Resident of Melrose, currently enrolled as a Elementary Education major in college
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Hobbies
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Swimming, any outdoor activity, celebrity gossip enthusiast
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Name
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Greg Josephs
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, and Lifeguarding Instructor
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Experience
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Greg began teaching for the City of Fort Collins, CO at the age of 15 as a non-certified instructor. He went through the WSI course and received his certification at age 17. Shortly before turning 18 Greg took the position with the City of Fort Collins as an Aquatics Manager and continued to teach while helping to oversee their expansive lesson program. When Greg left Fort Collins in 2005 he held the position of Pool Coordinator for one of their three facilities and oversaw the lesson program. His duties included teaching registration, adding, and cancelling classes, and developing new classes to add to the system.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Stroke refinement and technique. Greg believes in a strong understanding of hydrodynamic principles and the overall science of swimming is critical to learning especially for adults.
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Philosophy
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Greg believes that swimming is the closest that human beings can come to flying. In his teaching he strives to impart the passion and pleasure he finds in swimming though positive reinforcement, engaging, and interesting drills, and more then a small help of humor. If you are not having fun, the skills being taught will both less memorable, and enjoyable. I try to live my life to the insightful words of Albert Camus "Live to the point of tears."
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History/Background
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Greg has been swimming competitively since the age of 8 and continued year round with the Fort Collins Area Swim Team in CO. Throughout high school he also swam for his high school swim team.
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Hobbies
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Greg is a self proclaimed Francophil. He enjoys collecting and exploring popular French music. His friends are often exhausted by his tendency to insert French phrases or even entire unintelligible monologues into conversations. Greg would probably give up speaking English all together if it were practical. He is also a book loving NPR junkie in love with nice food, good wine, and excellent company. Having studied music composition he always has a song rolling around in his head and if more of them would make it into his computer and onto paper he might be able to do something with them someday.
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Name
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Renee Jou
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Renee recently completed her WSI at Boston University
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Children ages 5-10 years old
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Philosophy
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"Swimming is not all about technique swimming can be fun as well."
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History/Background
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High school swim team for 4 years as well as the summer swim club.
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Hobbies
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Hip Hop dancing and Dog Training
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Name
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Mirelle Luecke
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard
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Experience
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Mirelle has spent the last three years as a WSI for waterfront camps, college pools, private pools, and YMCA's. She has been a lifeguard for over 6 years.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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She enjoys teaching Learn to Swim levels 1-3 as well as the Front Crawl, Butterfly, and Flip Turns.
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Philosophy
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"Love the water."
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History/Background
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Mirelle is a senior at Oberlin College and has been a lifeguard and WSI since high school.
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Hobbies
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Sailing, swimming, waterpolo, reading, museums, and bicycle riding.
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Name
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Alexandra Levine
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard
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Experience
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Alexandra has taught all ages from children ages 6 months through adults and has taught a variety of levels from Parent/Toddler, Pre-school classes through Level 6. She has also been a supervisor for 2 different camps that meet twice a week.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Children and first time swimmers, stroke refinement and levels 5 and 6.
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Philosophy
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"The only way that students will improve to the best of their ability is if their skills and pushed at each and every lesson."
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History/Background
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Alexandra swam on a variety of swim teams between the ages of 7 to 15 , and she was continuously enrolled in competition and stroke refinement during that time. She has also studied diving for one year and has lifeguarded and taught lessons since 2002.
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Hobbies
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Listening and analyzing music, shopping, swimming, walking around Boston, and being active in her sorority.
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Name
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Lauren Moye
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Lauren taught for four years at the Belmont Public Pool teaching 4-15 year olds. She also taught Parent - Infant classes at Atlantis for one year.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Working with kids that need motivation or the mechanics of swimming explained to them.
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Philosophy
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"Learning how to swim encourages children to perservere and push themselves to excel. It is about personal improvement in my classes!"
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History/Background
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Current student at Mt. Holyoke, and current Somerville resident.
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Hobbies
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Lauren has recently returned from a study abroad program in London, England.
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Name
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Jeanmarie O'Leary
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard
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Experience
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Jeanmarie has worked with children with limited experience, working one on one with adults on stroke refinement, and teaching Parent/Infact and Parent/Toddler classes.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Freestyle, Basic Water Safety, Basic Rescue, and working with first time swimmers
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Philosophy
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"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you're amongst the stars."
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History/Background
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Jeanmarie grew up in Westchester County, NY (right outside of NYC). She has been around water her entire life and has also lifeguard for 3 years. She attended the Uruline School of New Rochelle when she graduated in the top 10% of her class. She is currently attending Boston University where she is double majoring in Russian Language and Literature/Linguistics. Jeanmarie looks forward to meeting and working with you.
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Hobbies
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Swimming, tutoring, learning new languages, lifeguarding, volunteering at nursing homes with her sorority Sigma Kappa.
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Sara Robertson
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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7 years of teaching for the ARC and YMCA's throughout MA.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Beginner swimmers and advanced swimmers, both ends of the spectrum.
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Philosophy
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"By developing strong foundation of swimming skills, advancing is easier."
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History/Background
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Sara started swimming at age 8 for the YMCA swim team. She later became the high school swim team captain specializing in 500 free and the 200 IM.
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Hobbies
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Swimming in a beach or pond.
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Name
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Jan Rushton
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Over 20 years of teaching experience in swimming and diving
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Conditioning, stroke annalysis, breath control, relaxation in the water.
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Philosophy
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"Enjoy the total freedom of motion in the water."
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History/Background
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SCUBA diving, sailing, surfing. Jan grew up on the waterways of Cape Cod.
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Hobbies
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Underwater photography, travel, horseback riding, archery
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Name
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Rachel Saks
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Rachel has been participating in triathlons since 1990 and masters swimming clubs since 1997. An active member of the Boston Triathlon Team, Rachel is experienced in swim races of all distances, from .3 of a mile to 3.1 miles.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Rachel mainly works with those who feel comfortable in the water and already have a base level of swimming, but want to work on their stroke technique. Many of the people rachel works with are training for triathlon swims or open water swimming events.
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Philosophy
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Every person has their own goals and it’s important to outline those goals at the beginning. Once each set of goals are achieved a new set should be made. Rachel tries to make sure that swimmers learn at least one new thing in each lesson, and that the reason or objective behind everything that is being taught or practiced is understood.
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History/Background
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Rachel started teaching swimming in college as a job in the summer and during the semester. Her passion for swimming dates back to her days in the pool as a kid, as a diver on the swim team in high school, and her recent experiences as an open water swimmer. Having competed in triathlons of all distances, Rachel has also competed in the Boston area and throughout the United States and abroad. This last year Rachel qualified and competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Florida and won her age group at the Cranberry County triathlon in Lakeville, MA. Rachel is training for an Ironman distance race in 2008. Also, don’t miss Rachel on MTV as the swim coach for an episode of the show, “Made”!
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Hobbies
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Besides swimming, Rachel enjoys cycling, walking her parents’ dog, and lounging at the beach. Rachel also has tried her hand in sewing and jewelry making. You can also find Rachel eating ice cream – her favorite food – at any time of the year!
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Name
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Sabrina Sullivan
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid, Lifeguard
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Experience
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Teaching and guading at Babson College for 3 years.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Working with younger kids and getting them comfortable in the water. Helping them with the basics in the water and also how to be safe in the water.
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Philosophy
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"I think the first step is getting people to trust you and then they'll feel comfortable in the water. Safety is very important but also making sure that they're having fun with a smile on their face."
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History/Background
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Sabrina swam a lot as a kid and grew up in the water, but was never on a swim team. She worked at Babson College where she taught different levels of swimming but enjoyed the younger kids.
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Hobbies
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Swimming, skiing, lacrosse, shopping, being with family and friends, working, traveling, relaxing at home, and trying new things.
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Name
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Joel Watson
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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NCAA Division 1 Diver, Rutgers Swimming and Diver 2005 – 2007,
BU Swimming and Diving 2007 – Present, 3 Time Zone Qualifier
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Philosophy
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"Work hard, play harder."
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History/Background
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9 years as a diver. NY Catholic High School Record Holder, Rutgers 3 Meter Record Holder, BU 1 Meter and 3 Meter Record Holder
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Hobbies
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Reading, writing, having fun with friends and family, and watching movies.
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Name
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Charlotte Yang
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Certification(s)
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Water Safety Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid
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Experience
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Charlotte has been a swim instructor since high school. Charlotte started teaching at her local city pool in Cerritos, CA. Charlotte has been teaching at MIT since September.
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Area(s) of Expertise
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Beginning swimming with youth and beginning swimming for adults.
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Philosophy
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"With hard work and practice you can do anything. Enjoy what you do."
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History/Background
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Charlotte is a student at MIT
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Hobbies
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Charlotte enjoys tap dancing and reading
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Go To Top
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ATTENTION PATRONS
The Zesiger and Alumni/Wang Centers will be closed Friday, July 4 - Sunday, July 6 in honor of Independence Day
Enjoy Your Holiday!
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