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.

Abby joined the Goldfish Swim School Oakdale team in October of 2017. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, majoring in Business Management. She was a varsity swimmer in high school and brings that dedicated spirit to our leadership team. Prior to joining Goldfish Swim School, Abby held positions in retail management in the bridal industry. In addition to leading our Front Desk team and engaging our membership, Abby has a passion for teaching swimming lessons.

Hometown: Taylors Falls, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: I love teaching wall safety because I know I’m giving the kids the skills they need in case of an accident. Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: The atmosphere. Everyone is always friendly and the kids are great. Favorite Food: Ice cream! Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hanging out with my dogs and horses. Fun Fact About Me: I teach kids with disabilities how to ride horses.

Nan joined the Goldfish Swim School Oakdale leadership team in September 2018. After more than 20 years in corporate marketing and communications, she's happy to have found a role that combines her skills and experience with her lifelong passion for water safety and fitness. Nan graduated from North St. Paul High School and the University of Minnesota - Duluth, and lives in Stillwater with her husband and teenage sons.

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. Love seeing juniors swim to the island by themselves. Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: Watching children progress in the water. Favorite Food: Bacon cheeseburgers. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Boating on the St Croix with friends and family. Fun Fact About Me: I'm in college going for dental hygiene.

Erick joined the Goldfish Swim School Oakdale team July 2018 as a swim instructor and front desk representative, and soon after took on the additional role of deck supervisor. A high school football, wrestling, and track athlete in his hometown of East Bethel, Minn, Erick also attended Mankato State University. When he's not at work, Erick likes to snowboard, cook, and work on his '88 Jeep Comanche. His favorite food is a bacon cheeseburger, and his favorite skill to teach is the freestyle.

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: Maplewood, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Dolphin kicking because kids can pretend they are mermaids and mermen. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: I like to see how proud the kids are of themselves when they learn a new skill or move up a level. Favorite Food: My mom's chicken wild rice soup! Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Go to dinner with my family or friends. Fun Fact About Me: My favorite summer hobby is paddle boarding.

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: Maplewood, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Backstroke Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Seeing all the kids and watching them become better swimmers Favorite Food: Salmon Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Go out and do things with my friends Fun Fact About Me: I coach lacrosse

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: 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 kicks because they’re so much fun and you use it a lot. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: It’s so fun and rewarding to work with young kids. Favorite Food: Wings Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Painting or reading. Fun Fact About Me: I’m really good at 1000 piece puzzles.

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: Oakdale, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Dolphin kick because it is challenging but fun to do. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Making swimming fun and rewarding for the kids. Favorite Food: Seafood Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Hockey and hang out with friends. Fun Fact About Me: My first swim lesson was getting tossed in the water by my dad!

Hometown: Stillwater, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Backstroke because I am a backstroker on my swim team Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: The kids are so happy Favorite Food: Any pasta and French toast Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Watch Netflix, or go to my cabin Fun Fact About Me: I laugh in bad situations

Hometown: Woodbury, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Treading water because it is an important skill to learn Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: The incredible staff and interacting with the kids! Favorite Food: Iced coffee. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Travel to new places! Fun Fact About Me: I’m a fraternal twin!

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: 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: 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: 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: Oakdale, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: The freestyle, butterfly, backstroke, and breaststroke. Because I’ve been a competitive swimmer my whole life and seeing kids pick up the stroke rhythm after they’ve been working so hard is so awesome! Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: I love that the team is like family! Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: I love to hang out with friends but I mostly love being with family! Fun Fact About Me: I’ve been a competitive swimmer since I was 6 but In lessons since I was a baby. My favorite event is the 500 freestyle!

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, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Butterfly because I’m a butterflier and love seeing kids learn skills to swim competitively! Favorite Thing About Working At Goldfish: Being able to change a child’s life by teaching them swimming Favorite Food: Popcorn Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Read or hang out with friends Fun Fact About Me: I’ve been swimming competitively for almost 7 years!

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 also 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 & making/working on music with my choir at school. Fun Fact About Me: I’ve been in choir for 7 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: St. Paul, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Putting their faces or going under water for the first time, they get so excited. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Seeing all the little kids and the excitement and energy they have. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm not at Goldfish: Read, binge-watch series, put Legos together with my son and play video games. Fun Fact About Me: I am ambidextrous and I have 3 amazing kids -- 1 son and 2 daughters.

Hometown: St. Paul, Minn. Favorite Swim Skill to Teach: Floating, because it's important to the entire swim process. Favorite Thing About Working at Goldfish: Everyone is so positive and professional. Favorite Food: Anything that I can cook and it's a hit. Favorite Thing to Do When I'm Not at Goldfish: Watching a good movie with my kiddos. Fun Fact About Me: I sing while I work from time to time and may get carried away sometimes.