WHAT SETS ME APART
You may have been referred to me by a friend, coworker, or another parent in a Facebook group. Families who work with me quickly realize that my approach to swim instruction is thoughtful, intentional, and centered around building long-term confidence in the water.
I don’t just teach children how to swim. I focus on creating trust, comfort, and genuine confidence while helping swimmers develop strong water safety skills. Every child is different. Some are fearless, some are hesitant, and some simply need more time and patience. I take the time to meet each swimmer where they are emotionally, mentally, and physically.
With over 15 years of experience, and now as a first-time father, I understand how important it is to trust the person working with your child. I treat every swimmer with patience, respect, encouragement, and care.
A large part of my passion comes from working with neurodivergent and special needs children. My mother, Olivia Shindel, is an occupational therapist, and early on she helped me recognize how few swim instructors truly specialize in working with children who process the world differently. Since then, creating a supportive environment for those swimmers has become one of the most meaningful parts of my work. Many of the families I work with have children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, developmental delays, physical disabilities, or other unique needs, and I take pride in helping those children feel safe, understood, and successful in the water.
Because of this philosophy, I do not teach ISR or traditional survival swim methods. While water safety is always my top priority, my approach focuses on building trust and confidence without fear-based or high-pressure experiences. Children still learn essential safety and self-rescue skills, but in a way that feels supportive, positive, and enjoyable.
My goal is simple: I want every swimmer to feel safe, confident, and excited to return to the water season after season.
