Personal History

 

I have been teaching swim lessons professionally for 19 years with the past 17 years primarily in the Conejo Valley (Los Angeles area). My professional experience also includes coaching high school and college swimming and water polo as well as middle school teacher and summer camp counseling. I was a high school and college swimmer and water polo player. 

 

 

In the early years that I was teaching, I felt that parents needed a tool to help prepare their children for swimming lessons. I wrote Luca  with that idea in mind. Luca's story gives parents and kids the opportunity to preview the natural process of learning to swim which they can then use as a basis for discussion of any questions or concerns the child may have.

 

 

In the 17 years that I have been teaching lessons in the Conejo Valley area, I have had the priviledge of teaching over 800 children to swim. During that time I have developed a methodology which blends compassion and playfulness with high expectations and a firm approach. I only teach private lessons so that I can create individualized programs which address a child's unique personality and needs. The end result is that I develop swimmers who enjoy being in the water and have both the self-confidence and common sense to be pool safe water-lovers. As a testament to the success of my approach, I have families who work with me year after year (references available upon request). 

 

 

I am currently taking reservations for the summer of 2009, for private in-home lessons. My teaching season runs from early June through early September. I serve the communities of West Hills, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, West Lake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Camarillo.  I work with children ages 2+ through adults. A typical lesson runs about 1/2 hour. I generally recommend parents plan on at least 12 lessons and that beginners have at least 2 lessons per week for continuity.