Team Member Tuesday: The Mariah Merger!


A few weeks ago, we hinted at the significant growth of Oklahoma Swim Academy. Well, today is Team Member Tuesday, and we want to announce an exciting merger with our new team member, Mariah! We are so excited that Mariah has chosen to merge her swim school, 4 Seasons Swimming, with OSA. With our combined resources, experience, and skills, we know this merger will be an excellent addition to OSA! Now, for a little more about Mariah…(You will also be able to find her profile under our Facebook album titled “Team Member Profiles.”)

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am finishing up my Masters degree in Biology at UCO. I’ve studied ticks and tick-borne diseases over the past 2 years (I even trapped ticks for a year). I am married to a really awesome, Jesus-loving husband who challenges, loves, and encourages me. I scuba dive on occassion, I have two wild dogs, and I rock climb often.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING SWIMMING LESSONS?
I have been teaching swim lessons for 9 years at the OKC Lighthouse location, so I’ve taught alongside Megan and other OSA instructors a lot!

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHY YOU CHOSE TO MERGE YOUR SWIM SCHOOL WITH OSA.
I spent two years as a lifeguard and started teaching swimming my second year of lifeguarding. I grew up with a pool, spent lots of time around water, and absolutely love the ocean. In 2014, I started 4 Seasons Swimming and worked independently for 3 years. I enjoyed it, but I was lacking in growth and community and was not able to meet the needs of my clients entirely. I chose to merge 4 Seasons Swimming with OSA to provide my clients with a better experience through our scheduling team, my increased training, and opportunities to swim with other fantastic instructors. By myself, I was unable to continue growing, I was simply out of time. However, with OSA I have a community to contribute to and bigger dreams to help grow.

WHAT ROLES DO YOU PERFORM AS A TEAM MEMBER AT OSA?
My technical title is Communications and Relations Officer, which is what I mostly spend my out of water time doing. I work on growing our staff, client, and facility relations to provide a great experience. I also have a schedule of awesome kiddos and train/ provide feedback to our instructors. Growth is super important to me and there is just SO MUCH to keep learning to become a better swim teacher.

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING A SWIM TEACHER?
Water has always been something I’ve enjoyed, but also something I have an awe for because of the power and strength it can have. This has made me rather passionate about safety around and in the water. I also love kids and love experiencing the success they have and independence they gain through developing swim skills.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY OUTSIDE OF THE POOL?
Rock Climbing! Indoor and outdoor.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE/BOOK?
I loved the Harry Potter series years ago. However, I have been challenged the most by Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. It BLEW MY MIND.

WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU BRING WITH YOU TO A DESERTED ISLAND?
A snorkel (I think I could get off the Island if I had a snorkel).
My Husband…because he’s hilarious.
Some sort of sharp object to get food…a knife or spear…maybe a machete?

TELL US A FUNNY STORY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE POOL.
I had a kiddo who would move his arms rather fast, and it would exhaust him. I tried everything to get him to slow down.
Finally, I asked him what animals there are that move slow that he could mimic. He chose a sloth and from that day forward, called himself a “Water Sloth” (..and yes he slowed down).

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