Founder, lead instructor, and teaching enthusiast since 2017! Carissa began teaching group and private swim lessons at Orchard Park Recreation in 2017, developing her own teaching and class style for two summers as a young instructor. She then moved on to teach at Hickory Hill Swim and Tennis Club for an additional two years, while beginning to work privately with clients to further develop her skills as an instructor! Carissa will be beginning Summer 2025 with over 900 documented teaching hours under her belt!

In 2022, Carissa developed Buffalo Swim Academy (LLC) as a full-time summer venture and immediately saw the need for focused, private swim lessons, especially in the Southtowns area. She developed a lesson program designed to make children capable of swimming or floating independently by the end of the summer session while also giving parents the tools to continue practicing these skills with their child. Her favorite part about teaching is building relationships with each family and their children and seeing each child's confidence and skill level rise at the end of the summer. They are always so proud of their independent swim skills!

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​While Buffalo Swim Academy is her passion during the summer, she is working hard to be your next veterinarian as a second-year DVM candidate at the Ontario Veterinary College! Outside of teaching, you'll find her relaxing with her pet rabbit Betty, enjoying endurance cycling and running, or trying different restaurants around Buffalo.