Gina, a radiologist, and Ryan, a lawyer, are former Goldfish parents and current owners of three Goldfish locations. Like most Goldfish stories this one begins in Michigan, where the Bewersdorfs currently reside, in 2009 when Gina signed their son up for swim lessons. Prior to attending Goldfish lessons, he did not want to learn how to swim and refused to participate in any of the community swim classes Gina took him to. However, when they went to Goldfish Farmington (which had just opened), he took the plunge and started splashing his way to the swimmer he is today. Their son made quick progress in the pool due to the fun atmosphere at Goldfish and the one-on-one attention he received from his instructors. Their daughter began swimming at 6 months and is now a state competitor. Seeing this transformation in her own kids Gina was inspired to learn to swim. After months of training, she was comfortable enough in the water to finish the Ironman triathlon (comprised of a 2.4 mile open water swim, 112 mile bike and full marathon) multiple times, one of the most iconic long course triathlons in the world. They just couldn’t stop there, so Gina and Ryan decided to open Goldfish Swim School - Reston in November of 2014 and Goldfish Swim School - Falls Church in September 2017. Goldfish Swim School - Alexandria followed in January 2019!

This is Maira! She is originally from California but now calls Virginia home. She has been swimming all her life and butterfly is her stroke! She went to school at CA Sacramento State University and studied Philosophy and Humanties. In her down time she likes reading anything and everything, and she enjoys yoga. Maira loves animals and currently has two cats. Interesting fact about her, she's ambidextrous but not naturally she was trained at a young age. Maira.hoang@goldfishss.com

Tommy was born and raised in the great state of Michigan, so you can sure bet your two cents that he is a die hard Lions, Wings, and Tigers fan. He moved to Northern Virginia in September of 2014 to help open Goldfish Swim School-Reston. Tommy graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelors in Marketing. When he is not at Goldfish you can find him on the ice playing hockey or on the golf course working on his game. Tommy enjoys seeing the excitement on the children’s faces as they learn a life changing skill. tommy.hamilton@goldfishss.com

Winona is a student at The University of Maryland. GO TERPS! She is currently studying Arabic and Political Science. Her favorite color is black and her favorite Disney movie is Ratatouille. She enjoys going to the beach, playing with her cats, and teaching piano. Winona loves working at Goldfish because she knows that the work we do is impacting children's lives and changing them for the better, and she loves being a part of that! Winona.zaky@goldfishss.com

Madi has been with Goldfish since it opened its doors in November 2014! She has been here so long because she loves teaching kids how to swim and making them smile. Madi’s favorite Disney movie is Toy Story. Her favorite color is green. Madi loves eating tacos and ice cream. When Madi isn’t at Goldfish, she is normally in New York exploring the city! madi.cook@goldfishss.com

Mr. Ever is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! His favorite colors are black and white. Mr. Ever loves working at Goldfish because he loves helping kids learn how to swim and leave with smiling faces. He also loves reading and playing video games. His favorite Disney movie is Alice in Wonderland. Ever.alvaradomartinez@goldfishss.com

Mr. Alex is currently in his sophomore year at South Lakes High School. His favorite color is blue and his favorite Disney movie is The Lion King! Mr. Alex enjoys playing soccer in his free time, as well as going to the gym, making music, and playing video games. Mr. Alex never realized how much he loves working with kids, until he got to Goldfish! Welcome Mr. Alex to the team!

Miss Amelia is a student at South Lakes High School. In her free time, she enjoys playing instruments, baking, cooking, singing, and drawing. Her favorite color is blue and her favorite Disney movie is Coco. Miss Amelia loves being in the water because she sees it as relaxing and fun! Welcome Miss Amelia to the team!

Miss Andrea is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! She loves swimming because of how relaxing it is, whether she's doing her sea otter back float or swimming laps. Miss Andrea always feels relaxed when she’s in the pool. Her other hobbies are cheer, track, choir and ROTC. Her favorite color is green and her favorite Disney movie is Finding Nemo.

Ms. Anna loves the camaraderie that comes from swimming as well as how fun the sport is. She is in her Junior year of High School at South Lakes. Ms. Anna loves the color red and her favorite movie is a toss between Hercules and Beauty and the Beast. When she is swimming like a little fish, she loves to read. Next time you see Ms. Anna, remember to ask her what her favorite book is to read!

Miss Aya currently attends Penn Foster Online High School. Her favorite Disney movie is Moana and her favorite hobbies include dancing, singing, and drawing! Her favorite colors are yellow and teal. Miss Aya’s favorite thing about working at Goldfish is helping all the kids master the skills and seeing them improve. Welcome Miss Aya to the team!

Mr. Basha is a student at South Lakes High School. Go Seahawks! His favorite subject at school is IT. His favorite color is blue and his favorite Disney movie is The Lion King. In his spare time, he loves playing basketball and swimming. He actually enjoys swimming because it keeps him in shape and it is healthy to do. Welcome Mr. Basha to the team!

Meet Mr. Caleb! He currently studies at South Lakes High School and plans on studying computer engineering when he goes to college. His favorite color is black and his favorite Disney movie is Wreck It Ralph! Some of his hobbies include playing shot put, frisbee and drawing. Welcome him to the team!

Mr. Caprelle is a student at George Mason University, where he studies Information Systems. His favorite color is purple and in his free time, he loves to play video games, and watch movies, like his favorite Disney movie, Zootopia! Mr. Caprelle loves swimming because of how relaxing the water makes him feel.

Mr. Chris is a student at George Mason University. GO PATRIOTS! He is studying the brain. His favorite color is cyan and his favorite Disney movie is Hercules. Mr. Chris also enjoys studying squids and octopuses, exploring nature, and collecting bugs. He loves swimming because it makes him feel like a fish and it’s great for exercise and motor development!

Mr. Dillon is a student at Northern Virginia Community College, where he studies engineering. Later in his education, he hopes to pursue computer science! Mr. Dillon loves working at Goldfish because he loves working with kids and watching them grow! His favorite Disney movie is Lilo and Stitch and his favorite color is red. Some of his hobbies include powerlifting, and playing guitar and piano.

Mr. Druw is a student at Radford University. GO HIGHLANDERS! He is studying to be a middle school teacher. His favorite color is purple and his favorite Disney movie is Coco. When he's not teaching at Goldfish, he is typically playing instruments or listening to music. Mr. Druw loves working at Goldfish because of all the wonderful friends he has made working here. He also loves kids and loves swimming, so it’s a perfect match!

Mr.Eli is a junior at Northern Virginia Community College. In his free time, he loves playing basketball, watching sports, and playing video games. His favorite Disney movie is Peter Pan. Mr. Eli loves working at Goldfish because he loves to teach young ones a life-changing skill. One of his favorite things about swimming is floating! Be sure to give Mr.Eli a big high five in the water!

Mr. Elliot is in his first year at Northern Virginia Community College. Go Nighthawks! In his free time, he likes playing the drums, rock climbing, and hiking. His favorite color is blue and his favorite Disney movie is Lilo and Stitch. Mr. Elliot loves working at Goldfish because he enjoys helping people learn and being in a fast-paced environment. Welcome Mr. Elliot to the Goldfish team!

Mr. Emerson currently attends South Lakes High School. GO SEAHAWKS! His favorite Disney movie is The Princess and the Frog and his favorite color is blue. Some of his hobbies include playing the guitar and hanging out with his friends! Mr. Emerson loves being able to teach kids how to swim while making it fun and enjoyable for them! Welcome Mr. Emerson to the team!

Ms. Erin is in her senior year at James Madison High School. She truly enjoys teaching children how to swim and knows that it’s a life skill that is important to teach. Her favorite Disney movie is Tangled and she loves the color purple. In her free time, she enjoys reading a good book and catching up on her favorite TV shows. Welcome Ms. Erin to the team next time you see her!

Mr. Ian is a student at South Lakes High School. Go Seahawks! His favorite classes are photography and science. Some of Mr. Ian’s hobbies include spending time with his dogs and cooking! His favorite Disney movie is Mulan and his favorite color is blue. Mr. Ian loves working at Goldfish because he gets to work with kids and gets to stay active.

Ms. Izzy is a senior at Mountain View High School. In her free time, she loves baking and riding her bike. Her favorite color is orange and her favorite Disney movie is The Little Mermaid! Ms. Izzy loves swimming because she has been swimming since she was little and a lot of her family works at a pool. Welcome Ms. Izzy to the Goldfish team!

Ms. Izzy is currently a junior at South Lakes High School. Go Seahawks! When she goes to college, she hopes to study education and eventually become a teacher! Speaking of teaching, she loves working at Goldfish because she loves working with kids of all age groups and teaching them how to swim. Ms. Izzy’s favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast. Her favorite color is blue. She also does theatre and sings at South Lakes. Be sure to give her a big high five next time you see her!

Mr. Jack is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! His favorite color is green and his favorite Disney movie is Finding Nemo. In his free time, he enjoys playing the guitar and hiking. Mr. Jack loves working at Goldfish because he has a passion for teaching important skills to others. Be sure to say hi to Mr. Jack either on the pool deck or in the water!

Miss Jacquie has been with Goldfish since July 2015. Her favorite color is purple and her favorite Disney movie is Toy Story. You may even notice her “To Infinity And Beyond” tattoo on her right forearm! Miss Jacquie loves working at Goldfish because she loves teaching and being able to teach children about the importance of water safety. When she isn’t at Goldfish, you can catch her hanging out with her friends or her younger siblings, Graham and Virginia.

Meet Mr. Jason! He is currently a student at South Lakes High School. Go Seahawks! His favorite Disney movie is Coco and his favorite color is blue! In his free time, he likes to play soccer, basketball, video games, and hang out with his friends. At Goldfish, Mr. Jason loves working with kids and meeting new people. He also loves swimming and helping others learn. Welcome Mr. Jason to the team!

Ms. Jeevika is a student at Chantilly High School. In her free time, she likes to play volleyball. Her Disney movie is Sleeping Beauty and her favorite color is pink! Ms. Jeevika’s favorite thing about swimming is the amazing feeling she gets when she’s in the water. Make sure to say hi to Ms. Jeevika!

Miss Joanne is a student at Chantilly High School. GO CHARGERS! Her favorite color is navy blue and her favorite Disney movies are Mulan and Coco. She enjoys singing, drawing, and sleeping. Miss Joanne loves working at Goldfish because she loves being in the water and meeting new people!

This is Jordan! He is a big nerd and he loves it! He loves climbing trees and walking through the forest. In high school he was a member of his marching band and played clarinet. His favorite subjects are math and physics and he also loves statistics. He loves paper and pencil games and his favorite Disney movie is Robin Hood.

Ms. Kaia is a student at South Lakes High School. Go Seahawks! She loves to play lacrosse and read to her little sisters. Her favorite color is blue and her favorite Disney movie is Finding Nemo. Ms. Kaia’s favorite part about working at Goldfish is that she loves getting our swimmers more comfortable in the water! Ms. Kaia’s favorite swim stroke is also butterfly when she competes in swim meets. Welcome Ms. Kaia to the team!

Mr.Khatib is a student at George Mason University. GO PATRIOTS! His favorite color is blue and his favorite Disney movie is The Incredibles. Mr. Khatib enjoys volleyball, basketball, soccer,and swimming. Khatib loves working at Goldfish because he enjoys teaching his students how to swim and do tricks in the water! Make sure to say hi to Mr.Khatib when you see him!

Miss Leia is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. Her favorite color is dark blue and her favorite Disney movie is Moana. In her free time, Miss Leia enjoys playing the guitar, singing, and playing volleyball. Miss Leia loves working at Goldfish because she loves working with kids and getting to be in the water.

Mr. Luis is currently a freshman at George Mason University. Go Patriots! Some of his favorite hobbies include playing football and soccer. His favorite Disney movie is The Lion King and his favorite color is blue. According to Mr.Luis, swimming is a great way to relax and a great form of exercise. He loves working at Goldfish because of the lovely kids! Say hi to Mr.Luis next time you see him in the pool!

Ms. Macalin is a student at University of Mary Washington, where she studies psychology. Her favorite color is blue and her favorite Disney movie is The Lion King. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, cooking and baking. She loves working at Goldfish because she loves being in the water!

Meet Miss Maggie! Miss Maggie currently studies at Chantilly High School, and plans to study psychology in college. She loves swimming because she believes that it’s so fun to challenge yourself. It’s also a great way to stay active! Miss Maggie also loves music - she plays the guitar, ukulele, and piano. Her favorite color is teal and she couldn’t decide on her favorite Disney movie - it would either be The Little Mermaid or The Lion King! Make sure to say hi to Miss Maggie in the water!

Miss Maia is a student at South Lakes High School. Her favorite subjects are English and photography. In her free time, she loves to read, write, and watch her favorite Disney movie, Mulan! Her favorite color is blue. Miss Maia loves swimming because she loves being able to relax and spend time in the water.

Miss Mira currently attends Langley High School. Go Saxons! Her favorite hobbies include swimming, running, and travelling. Some fun facts about Miss Mira is that she loves the Disney movie, Finding Nemo, and her favorite color is blue! She loves the fun and friendly environment at Goldfish and also working with all of the kids. She believes that swimming is a very relaxing sport and she loves being in the water! Welcome Miss Mira to the team!

Meet Mr. Mitchell! He is California born, but originally from Colorado. His favorite color is green and some of his hobbies include fishing, hunting, skiing, skateboarding, and playing table tennis! His favorite Disney movie is 101 Dalmations. Mr. Mitchell loves working at Goldfish because he likes seeing kids gain confidence and overcome their fears.

Mr. Mohammed is a student at George Mason University. GO PATRIOTS! His favorite color is navy blue and his favorite Disney movie is Wall-E. He enjoys cooking, reading, and swimming. Mr. Mohammed loves working at Goldfish because he loves being able to work with students so that they become the greatest swimmers IN THE WORLD!

Mr. Nick is currently a student at both Chantilly High School and Mountain View High School. His favorite hobbies include biking and writing music! His favorite Disney movie is Up and his favorite color is red. Mr. Nick loves that swimming is both physical and helps him relax. Welcome Mr. Nick to the Goldfish team!

Miss Nickolyn is currently a sophomore at George Mason University. Go Patriots! Miss Nickolyn loves the color blue and one of her favorite hobbies is actually figure-skating! You can also catch her watching her favorite Disney movie, Hercules. Miss Nickolyn loves working at Goldfish because she loves teaching and learning more about swimming techniques. Plus, she loves the great staff here. Next time you see her, give her a big high five!

Ms.Nora is a sophomore at South Lakes High School. GO SEAHAWKS! At school, she loves theatre arts and learning about plants. She loves working at Goldfish because she gets to work with amazing people and amazing kids. Her favorite color is blue and her favorite Disney movie is Tangled!

Mr. Peter is a junior at South Lakes High School. Go Seahawks! He loves Goldfish because it provides a friendly environment! He also loves working with kids because he has babysat his younger cousins and neighbors. Mr. Peter enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with his friends. His favorite color is red and his favorite Disney movie is The Lion King.

Miss Raisa is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! She is currently studying business management. Her favorite color is lavender and her favorite Disney movie is Moana. Miss Raisa loves working at Goldfish because she loves seeing all of the smiling faces of our families when they walk in our door.

Mr. Richard is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! His favorite color is blue and his favorite Disney movie is Wall-E. In his free time, Mr. Richard likes to read. He loves Goldfish because of all the mermaids that hang out at the pool and also giving cannonballs!

Meet Ms. Samantha! She previously attended Virginia State University. Her favorite color is pink and her favorite Disney movie is Mulan. Some of her hobbies include hiking, eating, watching Netflix, and travelling! Ms. Samantha loves working at Goldfish because she loves seeing kids progress and learn new things. She also loves swimming because it’s great exercise!

Mr. Tom went to Old Dominion University to study computer science. His favorite color is blue. In his free time, he enjoys watching TV, eating food, and sleeping! His favorite Disney movie is Toy Story. Mr. Tom loves working at Goldfish because he enjoys being in the pool and helping children swim! His favorite swim stroke is freestyle. Next time you see him, say hi to Mr. Tom!

Mr. Tulio is a student at South Lakes High School. Go Seahawks! His favorite color is blue and his favorite Disney movie is The Lion King. In his free time, he loves to play soccer! Mr. Tulio loves working at Goldfish because he likes being himself in the water and doing tricks in the water.

Mr. Tyler is currently in his first year at Northern Virginia Community College. In his free time, he enjoys playing lacrosse and skiing. His favorite color is blue and his favorite Disney movie is The Lion King. Mr. Tyler loves swimming because he believes that not only is it good for your health, but you never know when you’ll need the ability to swim! Make sure to say hi when you see him!

Miss Virginia is a student at South Lakes High School. GO SEAHAWKS! She loves working at Goldfish because of the community she gets to be a part of and the work she gets to do. When Miss Virginia isn’t working, you can find her watching her favorite Disney movie, Hercules, or hanging out with her dog, Coco, or her 2 siblings that also work at Goldfish, Jacquie and Graham.

Miss Yenifer AKA Miss Yeni is a student at South Lakes High School. GO SEAHAWKS! She loves playing soccer and her favorite part of her job is making kids laugh. Miss Yeni’s favorite color is red and her favorite Disney movie is The Little Mermaid. Miss Yeni is also Miss Vanessa’s little sister! Next time you see Miss.Yeni, give her a big high five!

Mr. Zac is a student at George Mason University where he studies music technology. He loves teaching kids how to swim because it is such a rewarding and fun experience! Mr. Zac’s favorite colors are gray and blue, and his favorite Disney movies are Lilo and Stitch and Monsters Inc. In his spare time, he loves to play music, walk his dog and hike! Say hi to Mr. Zac next time you see him!

Mr. Zach has been working at Goldfish on and off for a few years now. He looks forward to being a positive influence on children, plus he loves being in the pool. Mr. Zach is planning on attending Virginia Tech, but is currently finishing up his studies at Northern Virginia Community College. His favorite color is blue and he enjoys watching The Lion King. When he isn't in school or working, he loves playing sports, like basketball and soccer. Make sure to let Mr. Zach know who your favorite basketball team is next time you see him around!

Meet Miss Alexis! She is currently getting her real estate license to become a real estate agent. Her favorite color changes every day, but today it’s baby blue! Her favorite Disney movie is Toy Story and some of her favorite hobbies including working within her community and her church, and flipping clothes from the thrift store. Her favorite thing about swimming is that you can be free and creative about it; it’s never too late to learn and experiment in the water!

Miss Christine is a freshman at George Mason University. Go Patriots! Christine loves working at Goldfish because she is able to be in a loving community and help others through her job. In her free time, she loves dancing, exercising, listening to music, and doing photography. Her favorite Disney movie is Mulan and her favorite color is blue.

Miss Cydnee is a graduate of South Lakes High School. GO SEAHAWKS! Her favorite color is red and her favorite Disney movies are Mulan and The Princess and the Frog. Miss Cydnee also enjoys napping, snacking, and surfing the world wide web. She loves working at Goldfish because of all the beautiful people she gets to work with!

Miss Iliana is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! She is currently studying Business Administration. Iliana loves working at Goldfish because she loves seeing kids’ faces light up and being able to work with an amazing staff. She loves the environment and energy at Goldfish. Her favorite color is royal blue and when she isn’t working, she is spending time with her family, volunteering, or trying new foods. Iliana is also bilingual and her favorite Disney movie is The Princess Diaries.

Ms. Jenna is a current sophomore at George Mason University studying nursing. Go Patriots! Her favorite color is purple and her favorite Disney movie is Tangled! In her free time, Ms. Jenna enjoys reading and going to the gym. She loves working at Goldfish because of how fun all of the employees and families are! Welcome Ms. Jenna to the Goldfish team next time you see her!

Mr. Nathan is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! His favorite color is purple and his favorite Disney movie is Up. Nathan enjoys working out and he LOVES SLEEPING! Mr.Nathan loves working at Goldfish because of the very kind and fun staff. Be sure to give Mr. Nathan a high five at the front desk!

Shannon currently goes to Northern Virginia Community College, and has worked at Goldfish since April of 2018. Her favorite color is blue and her favorite food is any kind of pasta. Shannon loves to sing and read. Give Shannon a high five next time you see her!

Miss Vanessa is a student at Northern Virginia Community College. GO NIGHTHAWKS! She is currently studying to be a vet. She loves working at Goldfish because she loves working with kids and helping them learn new swim safety skills. Her favorite color is rose gold and her favorite Disney movies are Mulan and The Princess and the Frog. When she’s not at Goldfish, she is hiking, playing with her cat, traveling, or swimming!

Ms. Zakyra is currently a student at Northern Virginia Community College. Her favorite color is purple and her favorite hobbies are babysitting, watching movies, and being spontaneous! Her favorite Disney movie is Moana. Ms. Zakyra has loved working with children; it’s been a passion of hers since she was 12 years old. She loves the energetic environment that Goldfish offers and she always feels delighted when she walks in. Welcome Ms. Zakyra to the team!

Jessica has been with Goldfish since July 2015. She moved to Virginia from her home state of Texas. Jessica is a #MomOfThree; she has a son, Donovan, and two daughters, Alex and Annabelle, who have all taken swim lessons at Goldfish. Jessica’s favorite place to travel is Disney World, because she is a Disney fanatic and her favorite Disney movie is Mulan. Jessica’s favorite color is green. Fun fact - she has never eaten a hot dog or a hamburger! When she’s not at Goldfish, you can find her hopping on her pogo stick, as she jumps rope at the same time, or spending time with her kids at the park. jessica.mummert@goldfishss.com