Hi, I'm Carolyn!
Swimming and practicing water safety have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've found that every swimmer learns at his or her own pace and the important thing is making sure students know that every day is a good day as long as they show up and strive for improvement. You never know when the hardwork will payoff, but when it does the improvement can be sudden and dramatic. Often I hear my adult students say, "I can't," and I remind them that every person they see swimming laps in the pool went through the same process. They can do it and so can your child and you!
Over the past three years, I have been teaching swimming for 20 hours a week or more. During the school year I have taught swimming to 2nd graders & high school students with Irving ISD. I have also worked with Irving ISD's students, ages 9 - 18, as an assistant coach for Irving ISD's Blue Waves junior swim team starting in Summer 2025. Blue Waves is open to Irving ISD students who have completed the Swim Safe program for 2nd graders and are able to swim for 5 yds at minimum. The program has continued since last summer with sessions through the fall and spring of 2026. I typically work with 8 - 16 students who are divided into four tiers and have worked with all levels of students. I have also been offering adaptive swim lessons to Irving ISD students who qualify through Irving ISD's Swim Possible program. The adaptive swim lessons began to be offered in the summer of 2025 and have continued in the fall and spring of 2026 as Irving ISD has been able to sprinkle them into their schedule for the 2nd graders.
I have previously taught Red Cross Learn-To-Swim Pre-school 1-3, Youth 1-6, & Adult Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced for City of Irving & Water Acclimation & Water Movement to Pre-school & School age children & Adults for YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.
Current Certifications: Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer (WSIT), Water Safety Instructor (WSI), Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) & Lifeguard (LG); Swim Angelfish's Swim Whisperers Program in Levels 1 & 2; USMS Adult Learn to Swim Instructor & Masters Coach Level I
Disclaimer: Carolyn F. & Tortugas Swim School is not affiliated with Swim Angelfish, LLC, nor endorsed by Swim Angelfish, LLC or any of its affiliates or members.