Swim Instructor Bios
Grace Adams
Grace has been teaching swim lessons for eight years and swam competitively as an NCAA Division I athlete. She has experience teaching both children and adults of all skill levels, from beginners learning to feel comfortable in the water to more experienced swimmers looking to improve their technique.
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Kate Douglass
Kira Casler
Kira has been teaching swim lessons for eight years and swam competitively throughout middle and high school. At Georgetown, she teaches both private and group lessons and swims on the club swim team. Kira has experience teaching all levels, from toddlers to adults. Her favorite part of teaching is watching swimmers gain independence in the water and learn to love swimming as much as she does!
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Yusra Mardini
Maxine Fisher
Maxine is an undergraduate Nursing student who teaches swim lessons to all ages and skill levels. Her experience comes from more than 10 years of club swimming, 4 years as a private swim instructor, and being an assistant coach to her summer swim team. Maxine loves being able to watch her swimmers grow in confidence and skill in the water. She can’t wait to help more swimmers learn!
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Gretchen Walsh
Justin Horowitz
Justin is an American Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor, with over 10 years of lifeguard experience across a variety of aquatic environments. A lifelong swimmer, he provides one-on-one instruction tailored to each swimmer’s needs, helping build confidence, improve technique, and ensure safety in the water. Justin brings a supportive and structured approach to every lesson, creating a positive space where swimmers can learn and progress with confidence!
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Simone Manuel
Madlyn Kradjan
Madlyn is an undergraduate student with a background in competitive swimming who has been teaching swim lessons for six years. She runs the group swim program and teaches private lessons. Madlyn has experience teaching ages 2–14 and loves working with swimmers of all abilities. Her favorite part about teaching is helping students get more comfortable and learn to love the water!
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Katie Ledecky
Emily Li
Emily has coached swim for 6 years, working with all ages and skill levels! With 15 years of swimming experience and a background in water polo, she loves sharing her passion for the water. She is also currently teaching group swim at Georgetown, helping swimmers build confidence and improve their technique in a fun and supportive environment.
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Katie Ledecky
Marianna Mikheyeva
Marianna is an undergraduate student who has been a competitive swimmer for over 12 years and teaching swimming lessons for 5. She has taught private and group lessons with swimmers of all ages. Marianna loves working with students who are new to the water, and those continuing to build their skills, all while having fun!
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Summer McIntosh
Sonja Milkovich
Sonja has been teaching group and private lessons for 5 years. She loves watching her students improve and gain confidence in the water!
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Katie Ledecky
Alex Risi
Alex has taught group and private swim lessons for the past four years, working with students of all ages and skill levels to help them reach their potential. She is a sophomore studying Government and Journalism, and is passionate about teaching her students valuable skills while creating a supportive, enriching environment for them to thrive.
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Katie Ledecky
Clara Stevens
Clara is an undergraduate student at Georgetown who has been teaching swim lessons for three years and has been a competitive swimmer since she was 5. She’s also coached Special Olympics youth and adult swim, and has experience lifeguarding and volunteering with her school’s competitive swim team. Her favorite part of coaching is teaching kids how to make swimming fun, and she cares deeply about creating a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment.
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Hunter Armstrong
Julia Strimling
Julia has two years of swim instruction experience and 12 years of competitive swimming experience, including participation on Georgetown’s Club Swim Team. She has worked with swimmers of all ages and skill levels. At Georgetown, she is available for one-on-one instruction. Julia specializes in water safety, stroke development, competitive swimming techniques, and teaching students with diverse learning needs. As a Georgetown School of Nursing alumna and registered nurse, she incorporates expertise in child development, communication strategies, and safe learning practices to help each swimmer succeed. Her favorite part of teaching is helping students overcome anxiety around the water while watching them build confidence, develop new skills, and achieve their goals.
Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Katie Ledecky & Lily King