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Meet the Team!
Meet Carissa: Founder + Lead Instructor!
Hi families! I'm Carissa, the owner and lead instructor here at Buffalo Swim Academy!
I specialize in providing quality, one-on-one swim instructions to children of all ages and skill levels- especially new and nervous swimmers who may have fears or bad past lesson experiences. My teaching journey began in 2017 and I have not looked back since!
Over the years, I've taught in various capacities at town recreation departments, private swim clubs, and in families' homes. These diverse experiences have given me valuable insight into what works- and what doesn't- when helping children learn to swim safely.
Recognizing a huge need in Western New York for individualized, survival-style swim lessons taught through play and fun, I founded Buffalo Swim Academy in 2022. Since then, I’ve been dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and supportive learning environment for every child I teach. I also take great pride in connecting with families and educating parents on water safety and ways they can help their child reach their goals both in and out of the pool.
Certifications and Continuing Education
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Red Cross Certified Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor (WSI): 2017 → now
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Red Cross Certification in CPR/AED/First aid: 2017 → now (renewed every 2y)
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Board Member Level Instructor at Superhero Swim University (an online community of swim instructors dedicated to sharing knowledge and advice with other instructors): 2024 → now
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And most importantly: Over 9 years of diversified, hands-on experience teaching lessons to children of all ages and abilities. To this date, I have almost 3000 hours of teaching experience under my belt and will continue to learn and grow as an instructor.
Outside of the pool, I graduated from Canisius College with a BS in Biology in 2023. I am currently a Phase 3 vet student at Ontario Veterinary College set to graduate with my DVM in 2027. Although veterinary medicine is one of my interests, I absolutely love teaching swim and plan to do so for many more years!
Meet Brittany!
Brittany is excited to be joining the team at Buffalo Swim Academy for her second summer in 2025! She started teaching swim lessons in high school where she grew up in Pennsylvania. She continued to teach throughout her undergraduate years and when grad school brought her to New York, she began teaching swim lessons and coaching the swim team at the Jewish Community Center. Brittany also has experience working with children with special needs, being trained at the JCC to teach the Ausome Swimmers Program (an adaptive swim program for children on the Autism spectrum). With over 10 years of experience, she is excited to return to teaching swim lessons to you and your little ones!
Brittany works as a chiropractor at Palmercare Chiropractic in Cheektowaga and loves to integrate her knowledge of the human body and movement in her lessons with a focus on water safety, technique, and of course fun!
In her free time, she loves to paddle board, jetski, and root for the Pittsburgh Penguins! She is looking forward to meeting you and your family and getting your little one to enjoy the water as much as she does!
Meet Alison!
Alison is excited to be teaching with Buffalo Swim Academy as an instructor this summer! Alison has spent the past three years teaching swim lessons to children of all ages at the North Forest Town Pool- the same place where she first learned how to swim! She finds joy in helping students build confidence in the water, watching their progress, and welcoming them back year after year.
Before becoming a certified lifeguard and swim instructor, Alison developed her own skills in the pool as a member of the Park Sharks at the Park Country Club. Her background in competitive swimming helps her create a fun, safe, and effective learning environment for swimmers of all ages.
Currently an undergraduate student at Villanova University, Alison enjoys reading, running, and spending time with friends when she's not studying! Her favorite things include sunshine, working with kids, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills. During the summer you'll find her teaching lessons, babysitting, and lifeguarding! She can't wait to meet you
and your family and fill another summer with swimming and smiles!
Meet Alicia!
Alicia is so excited to be joining Buffalo Swim Academy this summer! As a lifelong swimmer, Alicia knows how important swim lessons are for the safety of young ones around the water, and for peace of mind for parents.
Alicia started as a lifeguard and group swim instructor at the Rochester Yacht Club in 2019, and then moved to teaching private 1:1 swim lessons in 2023. She coaches camps for competitive swimmers through the University at Buffalo and is an alum of the UB Women's Swiming and Diving Team, where she specialized in sprint freestyle.
While at UB, Alicia studied Exercise Science on the Pre-Physical Therapy track. She loves to incorporate movement and the human body into her lessons! An internship at UB's Early Childhood Research Center also introduced her to play-based learning, which she finds very effective in motivating and engaging little ones throughout their lessons. She hopes one day to become a pediatric physical therapist! In her free time, Alicia loves to work out, read, and explore Buffalo. She is so excited to meet you and your kiddos and to get swimming this summer!