Meet the SwimLabs Westchester Team

Hi my name is Tawfiq. I learned how to swim when I was just a kid and I loved it. I wanted to swim every chance I got, even in high school I opted out of regular Gym classes to go swim. I tried out being a lifeguard there as well and it was a fun experience. Fun Fact! As a custom they made us jump into freezing cold water it was really fun but it was the coldest feeling ever though

Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Animal: Wolf
Favorite Character: Samurai Jack
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Favorite Swim Stroke: Freestyle

Hello, my name is Sharon! I've been with SwimLabs since 2017. I started lifeguarding when I was 17 years old! I enjoy swimming and all water activities. Some of my favorite things to do are to go to the beach and lake with my family and friends.

Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Animal: Dogs
Favorite Character: Sandra Bullock + Julia Roberts
Favorite Food: Grapes and Popcorn
Favorite Swim Stroke: Breaststroke

Hi my name is Samira. I've always enjoyed swimming ever since I was little. I worked at SwimLabs for two years now and have instructed for 1 and will continue to do so for the years to come. I started out as a lifeguard and soon realized how awesome it would be to teach children how to swim. Soon enough I became the youngest instructor here at just 17! I love getting to know the kids so that we can have a better connection while swimming.

Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Animal: Cat
Favorite Character: Elmo
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo
Favorite Swim Stroke: Freestyle

Since I was young, I've been very athletic and enrolled in many different sports including swimming, archery, basketball, football etc. I felt most relaxed during swimming. I used to not be able to go to the deep end with friends so I dedicated myself to learning how to swim. I want kids to understand the freedom you can obtain from being in the water.

Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Animal: Lion
Favorite Character: Luffy (One piece)
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite Swim Stroke: Freestyle

Hi, my name is Michelle! Swimming has always been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. After a drowning incident of my own, when I was younger, my passion only grew more. Ever since then, a big portion of my life has been dedicated to making swimming not only fun,but a safe experience for children. I enjoy connecting with my students in our fun filled classes where we not only learn but allow our passion to flourish.

Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Animal: Dog
Favorite Character: Stitch
Favorite Food: Chicken Wings
Favorite Swim Stroke: Breaststroke

Hi! My name is Kristie. I started my career in the water by teaching my own children how to swim. I started teaching my eldest son at 6 months old, my second son at 4 months old and my daughter at 2 months. After they started swimming across the pool at just a year old I was asked if I wanted to become a teacher. From there I got my lifeguard and WSI and have been enjoying teaching children and adults ever since. My career as a swim instructor started 26 years ago working with Patti Marano in 1994 and worked for her company AquaTots for 24 years. I have extensive experience teaching babies, toddlers, teens, and adults. My experience also includes teaching students with special needs. I am a very progressive teacher with a little play. I get very invested in the children I teach and want them to enjoy swimming.

Favorite Color- Rainbow
Favorite Animal- Octopus
Favorite Character- Nemo

Hi, my name is Marissa. I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica; where I was a competitive swimmer for 5 years, before I moved to the United States. Being a swimmer all my life has allowed me to have a safer, yet bolder approach to life. It allowed me to unknowingly give my parents a peace of mind whenever we went near bodies of water. Being able to teach the next generation of swimmers to navigate the element safely and be confident, is what I believe the most important life skill, we as instructors, could pass down.

Favorite Color: Aqua
Favorite Animal: Dolphin
Favorite Food: Buffalo Wings
Favorite Character: Stitch
Favorite Swim Stroke Freestyle

Hi, my name is Christian. I was born and raised in the Bronx and began teaching swim lessons at 17 years old. Teaching people how to swim is a
passion of mine that has grown over the years and I am glad to continue teaching here at SwimLabs!

Favorite color- New York Jets Green
Favorite animal- lion
Favorite character- Spiderman
Favorite food- pizza
Favorite swim stroke- breaststroke

Hi, my name is Tristen. I learned how to swim later in life but ever since then, I have been obsessed with water and all water-based activities. I decided to get my lifeguard certification at 17. During my spare time, I
enjoy going to the gym and spending time with family and friends.

Favorite color- Black or Grey
Favorite animal- Tiger
Favorite character- Tigger (Winnie The Pooh)
Favorite Swim Stroke: Butterfly