Our instructors aren't just here to work — they genuinely care. Each one brings their own story, specialty, and heart to the pool. Together, they make Wildlife Water School what it is.
Our team wears many hats. While each instructor has a primary position, many of our instructors overlap roles and can step into different responsibilities as needed — that flexibility is one of our greatest strengths.
All lifeguards are also swim instructors — trained in both water safety and teaching, so your child is always in capable hands.
All adaptive swim instructors work with every child — trained to teach swimmers with and without disabilities, ensuring inclusive, effective lessons for all.
Vicky has a passion for working with individuals of all ability levels. She started Wildlife Water School at just 17 years old and has been making waves ever since. She is currently pursuing her nursing degree at CCAC while running the school full-time.
Miss Riley is a highly skilled instructor and certified lifeguard, known for her remarkable adaptability and leadership. With experience working with children with special needs, she demonstrates compassion and dedication to inclusivity. This summer, she successfully led the Connellsville location, excelling in both teaching and program management. Her exceptional abilities and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in her field.
Miss Lydia is an experienced swim instructor who has been part of Wildlife Water School from a very young age. Over the years, she has grown tremendously as both an instructor and a leader. She specializes in working with swimmers with disabilities and is confident handling a wide range of situations with patience and care. Miss Lydia consistently demonstrates strong leadership within the team and brings a calm, supportive presence to every lesson. She also has a background in swimming, which helps her connect skill development with confidence in the water.
Miss Kiera's passion for adaptive swim is deeply personal — she even taught her own sister with a disability how to swim. Her dedication and love for teaching shines through in every single lesson.
Leah is a senior at Yough High School and has been swimming for as long as she can remember. She has a strong background in swimming and enjoys spending her free time in the water, including swimming and kayaking in the river. Leah looks forward to helping swimmers build confidence, skills, and comfort in the water.
With a strong background in education and competitive swimming, Miss Paige offers a unique approach to swim instruction. As a certified USA Swimming Coach and Varsity Swimming Coach, she has extensive experience developing swimmers's skills, confidence, and passion for the sport. Additionally, as a Special Education Teacher, she tailors her instruction to meet the individual needs of each swimmer, ensuring lessons are inclusive and effective for diverse learning styles. With 7 years of experience, Miss Paige is dedicated to creating a safe, positive environment where swimmers can build fundamentals, improve technique, and gain confidence in the water.
Ellie is a passionate swimmer who loves helping children build confidence and learn essential swimming skills while sharing her genuine love for the water. She swims competitively on the Connellsville swim team and brings that dedication and strong technique into every lesson. Ellie is patient, encouraging, and great at making lessons both fun and productive, helping swimmers feel comfortable, supported, and excited to grow in the pool.
Marlee has been teaching with Wildlife for nearly three years and has taught swim lessons for as long as she remembers. A junior at Norwin High School, she is a shot put thrower on the track team, a student athletic trainer, and a summer swimmer at White Oak Pool. Working with kids is her passion; in college, she plans to major in child physiology or become an adolescent psychiatrist to support children's mental and emotional health. Marlee excels at helping beginner swimmers feel comfortable, turning tears into giggles while creating a safe, welcoming environment. She believes swimming is a vital survival skill that builds confidence and strong lifelong abilities when learned early.
Miss Cassie is a passionate swim teacher. She has been teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding for 2.5 years. With 10 years of competitive swimming under her belt, she brings diverse skills and experiences to her lessons. When not in the pool she is a student at Duquesne University studying Forensic Science and Law.
Miss Evi is a cherished instructor at Wildlife Water School, recognized for her kindness and ability to connect with students of all backgrounds. She creates an inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported. Her teaching combines encouragement and high expectations, helping students exceed their limits and build confidence. Miss Evi's positive energy and unwavering persistence inspire a love for swimming while instilling essential life skills.
Maya is a 15-year-old swim instructor and strong, experienced swimmer who loves working with children. She is patient, dependable, and confident in the water, and enjoys helping kids feel comfortable while learning new swim skills. Maya focuses on safety while making lessons fun, encouraging, and positive for every swimmer.
Miss Brooke brings an infectious energy to every lesson that kids absolutely love! Growing up with siblings gave her a natural instinct for connecting with children of all ages and personalities — she knows how to meet every kid right where they are. She is enthusiastic, fun, and full of creative ideas that keep swimmers engaged and excited to jump in the pool. Brooke's high energy and warm personality make her lessons feel like an adventure, and her genuine excitement for swimming is contagious. She is dedicated to building real confidence in the water while making sure every child has a blast along the way.
Miss Maura is a highly skilled swim instructor who has been working for Wildlife since her sophomore year of high school! She enjoys finding creative ways to get kids excited about swimming and loves modifying her teaching to benefit each individual child. She is patient, hardworking, and takes the time to truly get to know each swimmer and what they need to succeed. Miss Maura specializes in Mommy and Me lessons but loves teaching children of all ages. She has worked most recently with Wildlife Safari and is excited to be back in the water this summer.
Aubrey is a high school sophomore who loves swimming and helping swimmers of all abilities feel confident in the water. She will bring positive energy, patience, and encouragement to every lesson. Aubrey is also passionate about horses. She volunteers at a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities, giving her experience working with all kinds of learners.
Miss Serena is an experienced swim instructor and certified lifeguard with a strong background in swimming. Known for her charming personality and flexibility, she excels in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for her students. Her dedication to ensuring safety and providing high-quality instruction makes her an exceptional asset in the water. With her passion for swimming and commitment to helping others, Miss Serena strives to inspire and empower swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Every instructor at Wildlife is here because they love what they do — not just because it's a job.
Our team is trained to work with children of all abilities, including those with complex support needs.
Water safety is at the core of everything we do — every lesson, every session, every child.
We're always looking for passionate, caring instructors who love working with kids. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
View Open Positions