OUr Teachers
Becky Bennett
Becky is Water Wonder’s Executive Director and Curriculum Specialist. She founded Water Wonders Swim School in 2004. It has been her dream and passion to educate children how their bodies work in the water and to help people of all ages overcome their fear of the water. Becky has 20 years of teaching experience including extensive experience working with swimmers on the Autism Spectrum, with ADHD, ADD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Down Syndrome. She is a Certified Human Behavior Consultant in associate with the Fitzgerald Institute of Lifelong Learning. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband Seth and four children ages 16, 14, 10 and 5 years old.
Madison
Madison is the Director and a swim teacher here at Water Wonders. She has been teaching lessons for over 5 years, and has a passion for helping kids learn and understand how their bodies work in the water. In her free time, she likes to lift weights, and spend time outside with her dog Leroy, her cat Jack, and husband Shane.
Ashlee B.
Hi Friends, my name is Ashlee, I am 33 years old and currently live in chicopee but grew up in Colorado. I am very passionate about swimming, snowboarding, my pup Loki and my family. I have been swimming since I was little and still enjoy to swim all the time. I teach swimming because I love to share this amazing activity with others and I get to meet all kinds of new friends! I look forward to meeting and swimming with you!
V Damon
Hey everyone, my name is V! I’ve been a teacher with Water Wonders for a few years now, and I’m also the Program Operations Manager here! For me, this started as my first job, but it unlocked a love of teaching I didn’t know I had. For me, the best part of teaching is seeing how swimming grows the confidence and comfort of my students, and how it leads to them becoming more self-assured people in general. I hope to swim with you soon!
Faith B.
Hey everyone, I have been teaching with Water Wonders for about a year now, but I have grown up swimming and helping on and off with lessons. I am in high school. I have two dogs and a horse. One of my other passions other than teaching swim lessons is riding and jumping my horse! I can’t wait to meet and start swimming with you!
aSHLEY A.
My name is Ashley A. I have been teaching swimming lessons for roughly two years. I have worked with SPED, specifically with low incidence disabilities, for about three years in middle school, and have recently come to being a teacher in my own classroom. I have worked with children of all ages, but mainly focused on teaching adaptive aquatics to children with disabilities.
My teaching style is highly individualized to the needs of my students and constantly adapts to help children build confidence in themselves, recognize the importance of safety around the pool, and grow in their skills as a swimmer.
Stephanie
Hello friends, my name is Stephanie and I have been teaching swim lessons for 2 years and before that 10 years experience in teaching Early Childhood Education. I've been teaching with Water Wonders since last fall and have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful families.
In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, especially hiking and bike riding with my family.
Looking forward to swimming with you soon!
Artemis
I am a new swim teacher with Water Wonders with a lifelong love for swimming. I enjoyed being a part of the Smith College Synchronized swimming club team for two years where I learned a few fun tricks and fell even more in love with being in the water. I am a trained Naturopathic Doctor and I find that movement is medicinal, swimming is a birthright, known to all of us since we were in the womb! I am excited to include swimming as a part of my holistic practice for optimal health and I am overjoyed to share my passion with new swimmers.
jake R.
Hi everyone! My name is Jake and I am a sophomore at UMass Amherst. I have been swimming competitively for more than a decade and currently swim for UMass Club Swimming, where I serve on the executive board. I have taught swim lessons for three years, and also coach for a local youth club swim team. Although my background is largely competitive, I work with swimmers of all ages and abilities and believe that swimming is for everyone! I am so excited to meet you all!
Cheyenne K.
Hi friends! My name is Cheyenne and I have been working with Water Wonders for almost a year now. I have always loved swimming growing up and I have two younger sisters who have both done classes with Water Wonders. Other than teaching I enjoy practicing and competing as a competitive gymnast and spending time outdoors in the warm weather. I look forward to swimming with you!
Tricia
Hello there, my name is Tricia and I love being in the water. As a life long swimmer I hope that I can share with you the joy of learning to swim. In addition to being a swim instructor I am also an Aqua Fitness instructor and Lifeguard. When I’m not in the water I enjoy taking walks, watching a good movie and hanging out with my husband Joe and our two cats, Simon and Archie.
A S H B Y
Hi there! My name is Ashby, and I recently relocated to Springfield from Florida this past summer. One of my favorite things about Florida was swimming in the springs which are always 72°F! My previous job at a museum made me realize how much I enjoyed working with children through educational outreach programs. I am so excited to be part of the Water Wonders team and share my love for swimming. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking, and crafting.