Former D1 swimmer. Aquatics professional. Mom of four.

Swimming has been part of my life since childhood— swimming competitively from ages 5–18 and then I went on to compete as a Division I student-athlete at Rider University.

After graduating, I began coaching and became an Aquatics Director in New Jersey, where I spent eight years building and leading innovative swim programs. During that time, I redesigned swim curriculum, launched a new lesson academy, created water-survival programming, and developed adaptive swim lessons in partnership with Faces 4 Autism.

In 2022, as a mom and aquatics professional, I saw a growing need for convenient, high-quality swim instruction and founded Island Aquatics NJ, LLC. What began as a one-woman operation has quickly grown into a team of instructors serving families throughout Atlantic and Cape May Counties.

As a mom of four, I understand the importance of safety, confidence, and convenience. Our mission is simple: to help the next generation learn to swim, survive, and love the water.

Jessica’s journey with water began long before she became an instructor — summers spent in the pool and ocean sparked a lifelong love and respect for the water. That passion stayed with her as she grew, eventually inspiring her to help others build confidence and comfort in the water.

As an Early Childhood Education teacher, Jessica brings a deep understanding of how young children learn at every stage of development. She has extensive experience working with infants through older preschool-aged children, creating positive, encouraging environments where kids feel safe to explore and grow.

As a mom to a 6-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, Jessica knows firsthand how important water safety and swim confidence are for families. Her personal and professional experiences drive her commitment to help every child feel capable and excited to learn in the water.

From 2017–2020, Jessica worked as a lifeguard at a local community center under Alicia, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in water safety, supervision, and supporting swim instruction. She is dedicated to bringing that same level of safety, fun, and encouragement to every lesson she teaches — helping swimmers not just learn skills, but feel confident in their abilities.

Lauren is a mom of two—a boy and a girl—and a kindergarten teacher at Brigantine Community School, where she has been teaching for the past 11 years. She graduated from Stockton University and has always had a strong connection to both education and the water. Growing up near the beach, Lauren spent many years as a Brigantine BP lifeguard and taught swim lessons for 15 years, helping countless children learn to feel confident and safe in the ocean.

Before her teaching career, Lauren was also a rower. Rowing crew at Holy Spirit High School and continuing in college at Stockton University. Her lifelong connection to the water has shaped much of who she is today. As someone who grew up on an island and spent years watching and working in the ocean, she strongly believes that every child who lives near the water should understand its power and learn how to safely manage and respect it.

When she’s not in the classroom, Lauren loves spending time with her family at the beach and enjoying everything the ocean has to offer.