mary pontius

I began helping my mom teach swim lessons at the age of 9 and became a certified Water Safety Instructor (WSI) at 15. For the following seven years, I taught swim lessons while also working as a lifeguard and competing on my varsity swim team. As the oldest of seven siblings, I also took on the responsibility of teaching my younger siblings how to swim, including some who are on the autism spectrum. These experiences have shaped my approach to swim instruction, emphasizing patience, individualized instruction, and, above all, water safety. When working with children, my primary focus is ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and confident in the water while developing essential water-safety skills. I believe that building a strong foundation in safety is the most important part of teaching swimming, and I strive to create a supportive, attentive environment where every child’s well-being comes first.