Valentina
About
Hello my name is Valentina,
I breathe and live swimming. I have been swimming my entire life and have swam competitively through middle school and college.
I started out on a swim team in Park Slope where I developed my love for swimming and excelled at it. Swimming eventually let me to Brooklyn College where I was captain for all 4 years and won numerous awards from Rookie of the year to Student Athlete of the season.
I have been teaching swimming for over 10 years in New York City, specifically Park Slope and enjoy every moment of it. Regardless of what you or your child's swimming goals is (safety to competitive) I will be able to achieve it.
I am great with all age groups and all swimming levels. I also have experience teaching children on the autism spectrum and down syndrome. As well as Adults with a severe fear of the water.
Swimming is something I truly am passionate about and love sharing my passion with those I teach. I feel that an instructor who is motivated, motivates their students to achieve more than they thought possible.
My favorite swimming quote is “Its not how you start, its how you finish”. Simply because the way your first swimming lesson is, is not how your last swimming lesson will be.
Highlights
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Getting to know a student is the first thing. Simply speaking with them and asking them their favorite foods or T.V show makes them more comfortable.
If its is an adult, I really want to know why they decided to start swim lesson or discontinue them. I want to understand my students goal so that I can best accommodate my teaching to their personality and ability.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a water safety swim instructor for over 10 years and have taught hundreds of children and adults to love the water and be able to respect it and swim safely.
How did you get started teaching?
I started off assistant teaching when I was 14 years old and have been able to pick up the most important things from the best teachers I have seen and from my own coaches as well. I developed such a special skill throughout my years of teaching swimming that shows in my work.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with student of all ages, from 6 months to older adults.
I also have experience working with children on the autism spectrum as well as children and adults with down syndrome.
I am fluent in spanish and have taught in hispanic communities where the knowledge of water safety needs to be improved.
I am comfortable teaching a private lesson of one student to a small group class of up to 6 students alone.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I was recently accepted into an accelerated Nursing program and will be attending in the fall.
I am also training for my first open water race!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure that the instructor meets your needs, not only in skill but also in personality.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Make sure that they are determined to learn to swim, but to not think to much about it and have FUN!