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INSTRUCTORS

ANNA PALIWODA, Founding Owner
Anna was born in Hawaii and graduated from John Carroll in 1969. After her 20+ years of swim instruction, she started the Swim of Things in 1988. Anna taught for another 30+ fantastic years here at The Swim of Things, touching the lives of countless swimmers. In her loving memory her son, Al, and daughter, Alana continue to operate the swim school as a family.

Many of our instructors have decades of training and experience, and have completed hours of continued education through both national and international conferences and workshops.
Our coaches are all required to complete a minimum of 50+ hours of in-class Swim of Things training and shadowing before becoming independent instructors. 

FUN

KNOWLEDGEABLE

FOCUSED

COMPASSIONATE

ALBERT PALIWODA, Owner/ Head Coach/ Curriculum Developer
Albert is the son of Anna Paliwoda. He has grown up around water and has a BA in public communications from KSU and is currently certified WSI, CPO. He has been teaching and developing water babies curriculum since 2003. 
ALANA PALIWODA, Owner/ Lead Coach

Alana is the daughter of Anna Paliwoda and has also grown up around water, teaching since she was 14 years old. Alana is WSI and CPO certified. And loves to have every student leave knowing that they have tried their hardest.

LISA HANCHUK, Educational Program Development Manager

Lisa is originally from Brunswick, OH, but now resides in Parma with her husband and their two sons. A graduate of Cleveland State University with a BA degree in early childhood education, she is also WSI certified. Lisa has been a teaching with us since 2008.

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Amber Barbeck, Teacher Assistant/ Office Manager

Amber is an alumini to the North Royalton City Schools and currently resides in Olmsted Falls with her three children. She is a graduate of Cuyahoga Community College with a double major in AAS and early childhood education. Amber has been an employee of SOT since 2021.

 
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Chloe Tigges, Teacher Assistant 

We believe we are teaching a life skill - No child is ever safe from drowning.

Never leave a child unattended near water - Work toward a safer swimmer!

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