Meet the Swim Staff
Cheryl Klatt
Swim Director, Swim Teacher (All Levels)Teaching since 2014
When and where did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim when I was about 4 at our local community center in California.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? There's nothing more satisfying than teaching a child and being able to watch them develop over time, not only with their swimming ability but also as a person. Being a swimming teacher gives you countless opportunities to make an impact on a child's life, easily making this of the most rewarding jobs around.
Suzanna Baum
Swim Teacher (Learn to Swim & Core Skills Development)Teaching swimming since 2024
When and where did you first learn to swim? I started swimming at a young age, taking my first swim lessons as a two year old.
What is your favorite underwater/water memory? Summers at the pool. As kids, we would go underwater and yell messages back and forth to see if we could understand each other through the water.
Judyann Cummings
Swim Teacher (Stroke Development)Teaching since 2002
What is your favorite underwater memory? My favorite underwater memory was swimming with sea turtles in Maui.
What is your part about teaching swimming? My favorite part about teaching is the joy and happiness on the kid's faces when they learn a new skill. I also enjoy the comradery that I have with my co-workers.
Megan Regan
Swim Teacher (Learn to Swim & Core Skills Development)Teaching since 2018
When and where did you first learn to swim? I first learned how to swim when I was about 4 at the city pool near my house in Rosemead, CA. I always loved the water and was excited to take swimming lesson here. A couple years later, I started competing on the Rosemead Rapids swim team until I joined high school and competed on the varsity swim team. I still love being in the water and I hope to be able to share my love of swimming with my son.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? My favorite part about teaching swimming is being able to watch my students’ personalities come out in their lessons. It is a unique experience to be able to teach a child such an important and life saving skill. They may start out very fearful or nervous, but as the lessons go on they start smiling and having so much fun. It feels so special to see their confidence bloom as they advance in their skills.
Sarah Rones
Swim Teacher (Learn to Swim & Core Skills Development)Teaching since 2022
When and where did you first learn to snorkel and swim? I first learned to swim when I was just three years old and then jumped into snorkeling at the age of ten! I love swimming in lakes with friends.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? My favorite part about teaching swimming is watching my students succeed and do well during each and every lesson.
Jodi Sewell
Swim Teacher (Learn to Swim & Core Skills Development)Teaching since 2022
When and where did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim at my neighborhood pool where I grew up in Dayton, Ohio. The pool was where EVERYONE went to spend their days in the summer, and where I'd eventually join my first swim team, work in the snack bar, and lifeguard before college. I remember clearly learning to swim in the deep end, and frankly being scared. But I also remember that my teacher was also my babysitter (shout out to Marcia in Ohio!), and she helped me realize that not only could I get across that deep ends safely, but I would love it. Decades later, swimming has facilitated so many friendships in every chapter of my life.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? Creating bonds and forging relationships is my favorite part about teaching children to swim. Most children do not feel comfortable at first learning to swim, but with some time and love their trust grows. With that their confidence in themselves to do hard things, keep trying when it's not easy, and learn a life-long skill blossoms. That's a pretty remarkable gift to share with someone.
Andrew Smetanka
Swim Teacher (Stroke Development)Teaching since 2022
When and where did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim at about 2 years old in 2001 at a neighborhood pool in Maryland.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? I love seeing the accomplishment in the faces of my students after learning a new skill and gaining the confidence to swim by themselves.
Cody Spangler
Swim Teacher (Stroke Development), Snorkel InstructorTeaching since 2018
When and where did you first learn to scuba dive? When my wife, whose parents are avid divers, first suggested that we learn to dive for our honeymoon, I was shocked by the idea that I could actually do this thing that seemed to be purely fantasy. We could just... learn? Just like that? And sure enough, off the coast of Grand Cayman a short time later, we shared underwater experiences dreamt of since childhood, and it changed our lives! If you, like me, were the child that dove for pennies on the bottom of 10-foot pools and wished you never had to come up for air, or if you are someone with anxieties surrounding water skills of any kind, who truly wishes to overcome those fears, please take the word of someone who never thought he'd be here: there is a safe, fun and thriving community waiting to embrace you here at Denver Divers & The Swim School of Denver! Come temper your fears and live the life you've dreamt of!
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? Personally, The most rewarding aspect of teaching in-water skills is witnessing the burgeoning self-confidence and exhilaration of someone who has accomplished something they never thought they could or would achieve. Whether it's a child that just put together their first complete freestyle stroke, or an adult whose eyes light up the first time they breath through a snorkel, there is no greater feeling than knowing you've helped someone break down a barrier and open themselves to a world of new adventures.
Kira S.
Swim Teacher (Stroke Development)Teaching since 2024
When and where did you first learn to scuba dive? I first learned to scuba dive at Denver Divers! I loved it so much I wanted to come back and join the community. I'm super grateful to have had such a strong start to my diving adventures.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? My favorite part about teaching swimming is that I get to connect with the kids one on one. Whether they're having a tough day and need some encouragement, or are really excited to channel their energy into swimming, we get to work together toward their progress.
Kari Telander-Rice
Swim Teacher (Learn to Swim & Core Skills Development)Teaching since 2023
When did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim as a toddler by the help of my parents, watching my older siblings and taking swim lessons in Kansas. Growing up I did swim club, summer swim team and high school varsity. From the pool to the ocean, I just fell in love with the water. Open water swimming became my new passion as I got older and traveled more. While living in San Francisco I swam at aquatic park and did my first escape from Alcatraz.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? The love, curiosity and experience I have for swimming is why I love to teach others. Life in the water is about feeling safe, building confidence, respecting Mother Earth, and having fun! As a former early childhood educator and mama, what better way to combine the two. This is my first time teaching swim at Denver Divers and the Swim School of Denver. I believe stepping out of our comfort zone is when the real magic happens. That’s when we realize what we are truly capable of. I am excited to teach and inspire the next generation of swimmers.
Carina Whaley
Swim Teacher (Stroke Development), Snorkel InstructorTeaching since 2007
When did you first learn to swim? I was born and raised in California, so I first learned to swim in the Pacific Ocean. I also love diving in the Monterey kelp forests, watching the sea lions play.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? Seeing my students find joy in the water!
Sarah Zawacki
Swim Teacher (Core Skills Development)Teaching since 2018
When did you first learn to swim? My father was in the Coast Guard, so he helped me learn to swim at our local YMCA when I was very young. By age six, I was swimming in competitions and loving the sport.
What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? I love watching my students gain confidence in the water. It translates so well to other areas of life. If you can learn to swim, you can learn anything!
