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. 

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! 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!

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 senior at UMass Amherst. I have been swimming competitively for more than a decade and currently am a member of UMass Club Swimming, where I have served on the executive board for 2 years, and have managed the team as its president. I have over 5 years of swim instruction experience, teaching swim lessons across all levels. I have also served as a coach for various youth club swimming teams across the Pioneer Valley. Although my background is largely competitive, I work with swimmers of all ages and abilities and believe that swimming is for everyone!

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!

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.

T E J A

Hello my name is Teja I have over 10 years of experience in swim instruction and lifeguarding, I prioritize water safety and student confidence. Dive into the world of swimming with me, your enthusiastic swim instructor! With a splash of fun and engaging teaching methods, I'm here to make every lesson a memorable aquatic adventure, where safety, confidence, and enjoyment take center stage. Let's make waves together and unlock your inner mermaid!

S T E P H

My name is Steph and I am an animal science major at UMass Amherst! Although I have just begun to teach here at Water Wonders, I have been through swim lessons myself and was a lifeguard for four years. I love kids and watching them grow more confident in themselves and their abilities is my favorite part of this job as well as making safety in the water my number one priority. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my three cats, Milo, Blade and George as well as hiking with my boyfriend!

FIONA

Hi everyone! My name is Fiona, and I’m a senior at UMass Amherst. I’ve been swimming competitively since age 6 and teaching private lessons since I was 13, working with swimmers of all ages and learning styles, including both neurodivergent and neurotypical learners.

After a shoulder injury ended my path to Division I swimming, I rediscovered the sport for its sense of calm, clarity, and mental reset aspects. This is what I aim to build my teaching off of as I try to make the water a welcoming, empowering place for every swimmer, whether they’re building basic comfort or refining their skills.

I’m excited to work with you!

A N G E L A

Hi everyone! My name is Angela, and I am a doctor of occupational therapy student at Western New England University. I started swimming competitively when I was 9 years old and have been a lifeguard and swim instructor since I was 16 years old. The pool has been my second home for a majority of my life. I have a passion for meeting my students where they are and adapting my teaching style to each individual’s needs in order to achieve success. Seeing my students progress and gain a new sense of confidence in the water is something I take a lot of pride in. I am looking forward to meeting your student and reaching their goals together!

N O A H

Hi my name is Noah! I am 15, I have been teaching for just over a year, I started in 2024. I enjoy teaching because I love the connection with kids this is my first job and I love it. Outside of teaching I like racing motocross and doing things around my family farm. I can’t wait to meet and start swimming with you.