Instructors

Coach Matt grew up in a large family with eight brothers and sisters and has been around kids his whole life. He has taught hundreds of children how to swim. His teaching background is extensive having taught infants, adults, and young children.

Coach Matt started as a junior instructor at 15 and put himself through college teaching and coaching swimming. He has a strong competitive swimming background having coached two undefeated summer league teams in Colorado and was a captain on his high school swim team.

"I am very passionate about the sport of swimming and working with kids. I taught both of my kids to swim from the time they were infants. My son Michael, who now concentrates most of his time on baseball, was Ranked #1 in North Carolina as an 8 year old and finished 2nd in 3 events at the long course state championships as a 10 year old (USA Swimming). Please see the video of Michael at the sectional meet in South Carolina.

Teaches - Every level and course

Lizzy is a native of Cary, NC. She swam competitively for Raleigh Swimming Association, Lochmere swim team and was the captain of her high school swim team. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 where she was a member of the varsity swim team and crew team.

After returning to NC she went on to coach all three teams that she was a member of during childhood, giving her experience coaching swimming at all levels. She also has 5 years of experience teaching group and private lessons to children ages 4-12.

“Swimming has always been and always will be a huge part of my life. It is something that I am passionate and enthusiastic about and I strive to pass the same feelings towards the sport on to my students and athletes.”

Teaches - 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP, Competitive Stroke Development, Swim Team Prep

Christina was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. She grew up around water and loves all sports related to it, including swimming. She is a certified SCUBA diver and pursued her Dive Master qualification, while working with the Florida State University Academic Diving Program.

Christina received her bachelor’s degree from FSU in Child Psychology and has worked with young children for over 10 years. She is currently pursuing her MEd in Early Childhood Education and teaches preschool at the Jordan Center in Raleigh. She lives in Cary with her husband and two babies, her dogs, Finn and Gunner. She enjoys swimming, volleyball, hiking, and knitting.

Christina is excited to teach swimming classes with TSS and to help children and families feel more comfortable in water.

Teaches - Minnow & Me (baby)

Drew has 15 years of competitive swimming and 5 years of lifeguarding, coaching and teaching experience.

A dramatic fall into his grandparents’ pool at age 4 was the start to Drew’s competitive swim career. Drew grew up swimming year round with a highly competitive team in Minnesota.

He moved to North Carolina and continued to swim year round with RSA and the Cary High School swim team where he was the team captain and gained eligibility to state qualifiers. He began also swimming for the Weatherstone neighborhood swim team and became the assistant coach. He was promoted to head coach and took his team to an undefeated record of 6-0.

While he was coaching he also taught private swim lessons. He taught stroke development and techniques to children aging from 4 to 17 years. Drew is looking forward to joining the Triangle Swim School family. He currently enjoys swimming weekly for his own fitness and to maintain his skills at the Triangle Aquatic Center.

Teaches - 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP, Competitive Stroke Development, Swim Team Prep

Laura grew up in Long Island, New York and began swimming competitively at the age of 5. She swam for her middle and high school teams and started teaching swim lessons on Saturdays while in high school. Laura went on to swim at Fairmont State College in West Virginia, and coached age group swimming for Fairmont Swim Club. After college she returned to Long Island and began teaching swimming lessons full time at Saf-T-Swim Swim School for five years.

Laura has a passion for working with children both in the water and on dry land. She also teaches preschool at Kim’s Kids Preschool in Benson, NC. Laura has been married for 11 years and has two children.

Teaches - Minnow & Me (baby), 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP, Competitive Stroke Development

Erin has lived in North Carolina her whole life and has been swimming since the age six on her neighborhood swim team. She is currently in high-school and hopes to become a teacher in the near future. Erin enjoys working with children and helping them learn new things.

Erin began as a Junior Instructor for Triangle Swim School in 2009. Her specialty is working with younger children. She also enjoys working with babies and toddlers in the "Baby & Me" and "Supertots" classes. Erin is excited for what the furture brings and impacting more lives of our children.

"I love it when parents tell me that their children have been looking forward and talking about swim class all day! It really shows how excited and willing to learn the kids are! Classes give me something to look forward to; I like watching the progression of each child through the sessions."

Teaches - Minnow & Me (baby), 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds

Originally from Flint MI, Lesa moved to Cary, North Carolina in 2002. She spent her childhood swimming competitively at the YMCA and later for her High School in Flint. As a child her parents believed she preferred spending more time in the water than on land. Lesa is a licensed Aesthetician and prior to that worked as a preschool teacher and full time nanny. Lesa has rediscovered her passion for swimming and together with her continuing passion for teaching children, is excited to become part of The Triangle Swim School family.

"Teaching children to be comfortable and confident in the water is such a rewarding opportunity"

Teaches - 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP

Ann is one of the newest additions to the Triangle Swim School staff, joining in Spring 2011. The Garner resident is no stranger to swimming, thanks to her mother (who was a competitive swimmer in her younger years), Ann learned proper stroke and breathing techniques at an early age. Swimming is now a passion she has passed on to her two elementary-school aged daughters Sami and Gracie – both of whom are active in Triangle Swim School.

A native of Charlotte, Ann owns and operates her own business specializing in graphic design and production. She is very excited to play a part in teaching and promoting swimming at a very young age. “Swimming is a wonderful and fun physical activity that people of ANY age can enjoy. I also believe swimming is one of the most important skills we can learn. I hope to pass along my love of swimming to many parents and ‘minnows’.”

Teaches - Minnow & Me (baby)

Stephanie is currently a sophomore at NCSU majoring in chemical engineering. She has lived most of her life in the water and swam competitively for 12 years. She swam for Wilmington Athletic Club, Waves of Wilmington, Shelby Aquatic Center, YMAC Navigators and also for her high school. For the past four summers, she has been a coach for the Wilmington Athletic Club swim team as well as a swim instructor.

Stephanie originally started at the Wilmington Athletic Club as a lifeguard. On her breaks, she would be in the water giving swim team kids some pointers. Her employer took notice of her love for teaching and made her an instructor. Ever since that day she has been able to live her dream job.

"Swimming is the love of my life and nothing brings me greater joy then seeing a child learn how to swim."

Teaches - 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP, Competitive Stroke Development

Hi! My name is Jourdan. I have always loved the water, and have been splashing around since I was very young. I am finally a SENIOR at North Carolina State University, studying Political Science. Although I am originally from Winston Salem, I have fallen in love with the Raleigh area and plan to live here after graduation.

When I’m not in the pool – “I love to bake, sing, and practice interior design.”

Teaches - Minnow & Me (baby)

I was born in Pennsylvania and moved to North Carolina when I was 6. I grew up with my younger brother in and around water and spent every summer I can remember in the pool or the ocean. I admired the lifeguards and swim instructors at my local pool and knew that I wanted to have their jobs when I was older. I began teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding when I was 16 in Kinston, NC at a local pool and a local gym. I am studying Biology at Peace College and played soccer my freshman year.

I love working with children and helping them do things they never thought they could while helping them find something they can love for the rest of their lives.

Teaches - Minnow & Me (baby), 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds

Stacey is a Raleigh native who has always enjoyed being in and near the water! She especially enjoys watching and interacting with young children and their parents.

Stacey received her bachelor of Social Work from Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC. She has been in the early childhood field for over ten years and currently teaches preschool. Stacey enjoys watching her son Brian play football, basketball and of course SWIM!

Teaches - Minnow & Me (baby)

Anndria has been involved in aquatics her entire life. She grew up swimming competitively for summer league teams and her local YMCA swim team. She swam throughout high school participating regularly in the 500 freestyle, 200 im, and 100 back. Anndria has three years of experience in coaching competitive swimming with the YMCA. She lifeguarded and taught swim lessons for seven years in her hometown of Rocky Mount, NC. She is currently attending NCSU for a BS in Parks Rec and Tourism Program Management.

Anndria is passionate about teaching and interacting with children. She believes that swimming can help a child develop both physically and mentally. She loves working with special needs children and appreciates learning as much from them as they learn from her. Though she loves teaching all strokes, Anndria specifically enjoys teaching butterfly. Growing up this was her favorite stroke. Outside of the pool Anndria teaches piano, enjoys participating in recreational swimming, and loves cheering on her favorite team, NC State, at any sporting event.

“Swimming keeps me healthy in mind and body. I love it for sport and recreation and more importantly I love teaching other people to enjoy simming!”

Teaches - 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP, Competitive Stroke Development

Susie started her interest in teaching at 15 when she helped with swim lessons at the local pool in Erie, PA. She taught lesson through high school and college. At Grove City College, she participated in the synchronized swimming program.

After getting married and having two boys, she returned to teaching when her boys were old enough to swim. A second move to Roanoke, VA lead her to teaching in a very successful program with the Roanoke City School district. Coach Susie was also involved in the RVAA Summer swimming program as an adult competitor and the organization’s secretary. The past two summers have been spent with the Forest Hills Swim Club coaching and teaching the 6 and under swimmers.

Susie is thrilled to bring her enthusiasm and creativity to the Triangle Swim School.

Teaches - 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP, Competitive Stroke Development

Ryanne grew up by the beach in Wilmington, NC and was in the water before she could crawl. She began swimming competitively at the age of 5 for a summer league and loved being a part of the team until she graduated high school. She also swam for the varsity team while in high school and the swim club at Elon University. There she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and moved to Apex to begin her teaching career.

Ryanne has a passion for children of all ages. She currently teaches fourth grade full-time in the Wake County school system. Ryanne is an avid photographer, and enjoys spending time with her new husband and their “children”: two dogs and three cats!

Triangle Swim School is fortunate enough to have Ryanne back for a short period to work with our kids. She brings a wealth of experience having taught numerous sessions for TSS in the past. Her kids love her!

Teaches - 3/4 YR Olds, 5/6 YR Olds, 7 & UP, Competitive Stroke Development