Melissa joined the Goldfish Swim School leadership team in May 2017. She is a graduate of Stillwater High School and currently lives in Woodbury with her husband and two children. Following a 10-year career in collegiate athletics as an assistant commissioner for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, she is using her Sports Marketing, Fitness Management, and Coaching degrees to set the pace here at Goldfish Swim School. She played basketball for Stillwater and Northern State University and coached high school basketball after college. Coaching, teaching and developing are passions of Melissa. Melissa is dedicated to developing confidence in children and helping them on their path to being future leaders.

Hometown: Corpus Christi, Tex. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Freestyle, it’s my favorite stroke Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Seeing how excited someone gets when they have a great lesson and learn something new Favorite Food: Chimichangas Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: I love to go cliff diving in the summertime Fun Fact About Me: I think this ‘snow’ stuff is starting to get a little old.

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wis. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Backfloats because I love when the kiddos are singing with me and smiling Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: When a child accomplishes something they worked hard on. I am always proud to watch them grow. Favorite Food: Chicken & mango pasta Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Go on walks/runs, hang out with friends & my professional photography Fun Fact About Me: I speak fluent German!

Hometown: Woodbury, MN Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Getting to see all the happy families that attend here Favorite Food: Any kind of noodles Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hangout with my friends and family, singing Fun Face About Me: I traveled to and stayed in Korea for 3 weeks!

Hometown: Maplewood, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Flip turns because they're the most fun Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: My coworkers Favorite Food: Tacos Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Play soccer with friends Fun Fact About Me: I like to rock climb

Hometown: Oakdale, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Pulling paddles because at this point a lot of my swimmers learn how to swim independently and watching them finally be able to swim by themselves is a huge accomplishment for both myself and them. Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: Knowing that each and every one of us are making a difference in a child’s life, by teaching them water safety skills and watching each swimmers confidence grow in each lesson here at Goldfish! Favorite Food: Chipotle. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Experience new things. Whether it is traveling, trying new foods, experiencing other cultures, getting to go to new places within Minnesota, or creating some long lasting memories I have always been really intrigued to try new things. Fun Fact About Me: I love hugs!

Hometown: Maplewood, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Freestyle because it's my best skill Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: How fast each shift feels Favorite Food: Pho Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hanging out with friends Fun Fact About me: I like to do photography as a hobby

Hometown: Oakdale, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Back float because it's so relaxing Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Helping kids learn new skills Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Go horseback riding Fun Fact About Me: I used to take ballet lessons

Hometown: Lindstrom, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Sea otter back float because I love watching kiddos improve so much from needing me to do it to doing it all by themselves so quickly it’s inspiring Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: The kids, they always bring a smile to my face Favorite Food: Italian Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Be with the dogs at my house Fun Fact About Me: I’ve been in a state choir and many others

Hometown: North St. Paul, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Freestyle roll over Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: The positive atmosphere Favorite Food: Crab legs Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Go on walks and listen to music Fun Fact About Me: I foster puppies

Hometown: Oakdale, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Freestyle because you can watch kids be able to swim on their own Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Watching the kids grow Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hang out with friends Fun Fact About Me: I like to travel

Hometown: Landfall, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Flip turn because it's fun Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: All the fun people I meet Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Ride my bike Fun Fact About Me: I like older music

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Back float because at first the kids are really tense and don’t quite trust themselves to stay afloat and it’s really great to watch them start to get more comfortable and trust themselves to relax and loosen up those muscles and once they do that they’re able to float! Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: The adorable and funny kiddos I get to work with everyday! Favorite Food: Flavor blasted Goldfish crackers Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Nap or spend time with my family and friends. Fun Fact About Me: I’ve been a vegetarian for most of my life!

Hometown: Saint Paul, Minnesota Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Sea Otter back float because it will help keep kids safe in any situation Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: The staff is really friendly and outgoing Favorite Food: Shrimp Alfredo Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Keep my room really decorative, clean, and organized Fun Fact About Me: I like to dance!

Hometown: St. Paul, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Breaststroke because that's my stroke and my event! Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: I love to see kids excited to jump right in and swim their hearts out! Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: I love to read write and jam out to my favorite songs, if I'm not doing that I'm wrapped up in tons of blankets watching Star Wars with my cat! Fun Fact About Me: I'm a junior Olympic swimmer placing top in 100 breaststroke and 50 breaststroke

Hometown: Cottage Grove, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Back float because the kids have so much fun doing it Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Helping the kids reach their goals Favorite Food: Any kind of fruit Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Go to dance conventions and competitions Fun Fact About Me: I love cooking and baking

Hometown: Woodbury, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Butterfly because it is so cool to see the kids work so hard on it week after week and to improve. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Getting to know my students and their families. I love making connections and relationships with not only the students but the staff and hopefully leaving all my kids with a positive impact and confidence in the water! Favorite Food: Rice and tacos Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Spending time with my family and making/working on music with my choir at school. Fun Fact About Me: I've been in choir for 7 years!

Hometown: Oakdale, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: I love teaching backstroke, because it’s the one stroke I swim competitively and I’m hoping one of my students will swim it one day too. Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: I really like the environment. Favorite Food: Eggrolls and lemons Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: I love to read and do puzzles! Fun Fact About Me: I have been in over 20 theatre productions.

Hometown: St. Paul, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Back float because it teaches them to float independently Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Meeting all the new kids and being able to build a bond with them Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Play volleyball Fun Fact About Me: I want to be a vet

Hometown: Oakdale, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Butterfly because it makes me feel like I’m flying through the water and watching someone a accomplish this skill bring a smile to my face. Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: Watching kids progress into different levels and teaching them different learn new skills. Favorite Food: Chinese food. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hang out with friends and complete my courses for medical school. Fun Fact About Me: I was a swimmer and diver for Tartan high school for 6 years.

Hometown: Marine, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Sea otter back floats or Superman glides Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Getting to help kids be comfortable and safe in the water Favorite Food: Spaghetti Favorite Thing To Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Be with friends outside. Fun Fact About Me: I learned how to alpine ski when I was 3 years old.

Hometown: Stillwater Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Sea otter back float, because it is a good skill to know how to do. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: The people I work with and the kids are so much fun to teach. Favorite Food: Cream cheese wontons. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hang out with friends. Fun Fact About Me: I play volleyball for Stillwater!

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Butterfly Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: Seeing my students progress and making new memories. Favorite Food: Chinese food. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Watch movies. Fun Fact About Me: I speak Spanish.

Hometown: Anoka, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Treading water but also the streamline glide because it’s some of the basics you need to know that makes swimming easier! Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Everyone is close and it’s a good environment to be around and we all have a good time. Favorite Food: Ice cream especially on a hot summer day. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hang out with my friends and focusing on school as one of my top priorities. Fun Fact About Me: I have been a princess/queen for Oakdale Summerfest royalty for 8 years and on Tartan's dance team for 5 years.

Hometown: St. Paul, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: love teaching sea otter back float because it keeps kids safe. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Seeing the kids excited to learn. Favorite Food: Tacos. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: I enjoy painting. Fun Fact About Me: I have 4 siblings!

Hometown: Prescott, Wisc. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Working with all the families Favorite Food: Spaghetti Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Raising my son Fun Fact About Me: I'm crazy about Grey's Anatomy