Swimming lessons
for kids and adults
at Osher Marin JCC

I have worked at the JCC as an American Red Cross certified swim instructor for 5 years. I am also a certified lifeguard at the JCC.

During my years as a swim instructor, I have taught swimming to our youngest swimmers and their parents along with our teenage and adult members, including those with special needs. As of late, I have focused on our youngest swimmers in our Splash, Advanced Splash, First Fins, and Level One classes.

My teaching philosophy in all my classes is to provide education on water safety, swim strokes when appropriate, and how to feel comfortable and have fun in the water. I follow the lead of my youngest to oldest students in terms of what they want and need to learn. I find it deeply rewarding to see my students progress in their water skills.

My hobbies include swimming, biking, running, hiking, and birding. I also love to garden, travel, and walk my dog.

I am an American Red Cross Certified swim instructor at the JCC I have been apart of the aquatics team coaching splash, advanced splash, first fins, lv1 and up as well as instructing adult classes.

Swimming in the vast lakes in the Sierra Nevadas growing up as well as learning in my family’s lap pool, has brought a deep rooted love into my life. Swimming taught me self discipline, endurance, and brings serenity into my life. I am a competitive swimmer having 4 years experience on a club swim masters team (Sanger Seals) in the Central Valley and being on Varsity swim during my high school years. My 7 years of experience lead me to sharing my love of swimming and coaching to ensure water safety by teaching basic swim skills to teaching comprehensive swim mechanics while building on skills. I bring an engaging, exciting, safe environment to help students learn bringing a positive attitude along for a fun experience for all age groups.

My hobbies include surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, hiking, photography/modeling, traveling, and cooking at home.

With over 25 years of experience as a swimming instructor, I've made significant contributions to the world of aquatic education. As the 1999 Japanese Masters butterfly champion and a member of Japan's Junior Olympic development program, my foundation in swimming was solidified under the mentorship of Olympic coach Blair McMillan from New Zealand.

During my tenure in Japan, spanning a decade, I instructed students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, with class sizes ranging from one-on-one sessions to entire swim teams. I hold certifications as a Water Safety Instructor by the American Red Cross and a U.S. Masters Swimming Certified Coach.

Currently training for US Masters competitions, I bring a competitive edge to my coaching. My daughters, who excelled in swimming, winning at Junior Olympics and qualifying for Junior Nationals and State finals. Over the years, I've coached numerous swimmers who have seamlessly transitioned to USA Swimming level clubs.

My teaching philosophy revolves around skill development, safety, and fostering a genuine passion for swimming, catering to beginners and competitive swimmers alike.

I have been teaching swim lessons to students of all ages and abilities for over five decades in Marin County in the capacity as a swim instructor on an ongoing basis, as a former assistant swim coach for Marin County swim league teams and as a former aquatic program manager for the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center.

I am a certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and Trainer. I am passionate about teaching swimming and it is very rewarding to witness my student’s achievements throughout their lessons as they become confident in the water and discover the joy of swimming. Skills taught are geared towards the client’s needs developmentally and are taught in a progressive manner. I encourage each student to participate in setting goals of what they wish to accomplish and to have a positive attitude during their learning process.

Water adjustment and relaxation skills are the foundation in the early stages of swimming. As the student becomes more confident, new skills are introduced throughout the series of lessons.

Swimming is a lifelong and a lifesaving skill with the rewards of being healthier and the ability to enjoy all sorts of water recreational activities.

-Swim instructor
-Teaches all ages
-Teaches children and adults
-Teaches Group & Private Swim lessons

Rebecca has been swimming all of her life. Her favorite stroke to swim is the breaststroke and her favorite stroke to teach her students is the backstroke. She is CPR certified and has been teaching for over 40 years.

Some of her hobbies include cooking, gardening, knitting, crocheting and sewing. She has one dog she loves very much and 6 grandchildren.

-Swim Instructor
-Teaches Group and Private Lessons
-Teaches all ages

Sarah has been swimming competitively since the 1st grade and swam for 12 years. She loves the water and water sports, including swimming, wakeboarding, and visiting the beach. Her favorite stroke is backstroke. Sarah’s teaching philosophy centers around gaining students trust so she can help them improve. She is patient with everyone and works to make swimming lessons fun and engaging. She loves kids and has spent over 5 years working with them, from babysitting to being a camp counselor. She is CPR and First Aid certified and has worked at the JCC for about 2 years. Some of her hobbies include reading, listening to music, hiking, and traveling.

-Teach young children (3-9 years)
-Teach Private Swim Lessons

Ronnie has been swimming since the age of four. She swam competitively from six to eighteen years of age. Her favorite strokes are freestyle and IM or individual medley. She has been teaching at the Osher Marin JCCsince the summer of 2021. Previously, she taught private swimming lessons in high school and college. She enjoys seeing children build confidence in the water and develop skills to swim and become water safe. Some of her hobbies include yoga, cooking, hiking, reading and knitting.

I have been teaching group and private lessons for the JCC since September of 2022 and absolutely love it!

I have a large client base and many repeat customers! I specialize in private lessons (level 1-pre swim team).

I have been a competitive swimmer from age 5 and swam at the collegiate level at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

My other jobs include a real estate appraiser and office assistant at Good Shepherd School. With the little free time I have I enjoy playing tennis and pickleball.

I live in Bel Marin Keys on the water and have an 18 and 19 year old at college away from home.

I love working with children and watching their swimming skills improve in front of my eyes!

Swim Instructor, Lifeguard Coordinator, Lifeguard/CPR Instructor

Teaches Children and Adults with Special Needs

Teaches Group Lessons, Private Swim lessons, and Lifeguard/CPR/First Aid classes

Jackson has been swimming since he was four years old. He has been competing in swimming since he was six years old and continued until he was eighteen. Among all the strokes, his favorite to both swim and teach is the Butterfly stroke. Jackson is CPR-certified and has been working with the JCC as a swimming instructor for over seven years. He loves working with children and adults who are just starting out or preparing for competitive swimming. Apart from swimming, some of his hobbies include playing the guitar, biking, and kayaking.

-Swim Instructor
-Teaches ages 3-12
-Teaches group and private lessons

Matheus has been swimming from a young age. His preferred styles are breaststroke and side stroke. He loves to teach and watch his students grow whilst also learning from them. He has recently joined the JCC team and is eager to help everyone get better and fall in love with the sport. Matheus is a specialist in water confidence and water survival. Some of his hobbies include working out and watching sports. Matheus loves to spend time with friends and meet new people.

I have been swimming competitively since age 3 up until age 17. Her favorite strokes to teach are freestyle and backstroke, while her personal favorite is breaststroke. Scarlett is WSI certified and has been teaching at the JCC for almost one year. Scarlett loves to teach people of all ages and abilities, as well as all levels ranging from learning to swim for the first time, to preparing to compete and perfecting technique. Apart from swimming, Scarlett enjoys skiing, cooking, and photography!

-Swim instructor
Aquatics Coordinator
Red Cross Instructor
-Teaches all ages
-Teaches children and adults with specials needs
-Teaches Group & Private Swim lessons

Christine has been swimming since she was 5 years old. She swam competitively for 10 years. Her favorite stroke to swim is the breaststroke and her favorite stroke to teach her students is the backstroke. She is CPR certified and has been teaching with the JCC for over 12 years. She is excited to introduce her students to competitive swimming and teach them about water safety.

Some of her hobbies include reading, cooking/baking, golfing and hiking. She has two dogs and one cat 🙂

Born on June 30th, 1942. He worked as a lifeguard, swimming instructor, pool manager, water aerobics instructor, WSI Instructor, Assistant Aquatic Supervisor, and Principal Recreation Supervisor for 34 years with S.F. Rec. & Park. He started teaching at JCC in November 2004. His favorite strokes are backstroke, sidestroke, and catch-up (freestyle). He has participated in several sports, including abalone diving, scuba diving, running (5 SF marathons), gymnastics, boxing, judo, snow skiing, open water swimming, cycling, and springboard diving. His hobbies include collecting pre-60s cameras and equipment, Leicas, stamps, sheet music, and coins. He also enjoys classical and 50s-60s rock'n'roll music and playing the piano. When teaching, Pablo takes the time to determine the student's skill level and identify their fears and anxieties. He addresses them with care and patience and ensures not to rush into the next step until the student properly demonstrates the present skill. He encourages head and body-roll when teaching backstroke and catch-up or freestyle and reminds his students that they swim with their "body" and that their arms and legs just go along for the ride.

- Swim Instructor
- Teaches all ages
- Teaches Group and Private Lessons

Kendall has grown up swimming competitively since the age of 4 to 18. She has helped coach a swim team for three summers and swim instructed for 6 years. She enjoys teaching stroke technique and incorporating water safety in each lesson. She is CPR certified and has been teaching at the JCC for one year now. In her free time she loves going on trail runs, cooking, and gardening.

- Teaches all ages
- Teaches group and private swim lessons

Jill was a diver growing up, and started swimming for exercise and fun in college. It was such good exercise and so much fun that she hasn’t stopped since.

Jill is also a music teacher. She teaches K-5 music at Live Oak School in San Francisco. She also plays music regularly at the Larkspur Farmer’s Market, and at the Monk's Kettle in Terra Linda.

- Swim Instructor with American Red Cross Certification
- Teaches all ages
- Teaches one-on-one private lessons

I learned my first strokes at the age of 4, and as an adolescent, I was lucky enough to train under two world champions. Their invaluable lessons have shaped my philosophy: as an instructor, I am keen on teaching the best techniques to every swimmer from the onset, from nervous beginners to confident veterans. At the JCC, where I have taught numerous students over the past five years, I tailor each lesson to suit the individual’s needs, from overcoming fear to acing a move, while keeping an emphasis on safety. I am thrilled each time I see a swimmer fearlessly glide, master a stroke with ease, or get to the next level of fun and proficiency.

When I am not in the pool, you will find me lost in the world of writing, watching arts and movies, or shaking things up with a little dance, yoga, and great chats with interesting folks. And of course, there are the energizing strolls through the Marin hills with our cuddly 120-pound dog.