Meet the Team

Because Starfish is a year-round swim school, most of our staff members are swim instructors who teach swimming professionally. Overall, we truly believe that we have the best instructors in the area. They are impressive. Their dedication to teaching is obvious seeing them in the water with your children. We list our Instructor Employment Qualifications to indicate the type of swim instructor you can expect at Starfish: very, very experienced; loves children; wears a smile all day long; sensitive and caring about the needs and fears of their students; arrives and finishes on time, neatly dressed, capable of teaching the last lesson of the day with as much fun and enthusiasm as the first.

Many of our instructors have certifications from other institutions, but all of our staff have their CPR and Life Guard Certifications.

Note: For your child’s safety and your peace of mind, all of our instructors undergo an intense screening before they are hired as a Starfish instructor.

For questions or to check-in about your child's progress, you may send an email. When sending an email, please write the instructors name in the header so we know which instructor to forward your email to. Send an Email to an Instructor

Amy Tingley
Amy was born and raised in beautiful North Idaho where she spent countless hours white water rafting and water skiing on wild rivers and placid lakes. With grandparents and extended family along the rugged Oregon Coast, summer vacations offered the opportunity to taste the salty adventure that can only be gained from swimming in the powerful Northern Pacific, nurturing a humbling respect for the power of water.

Amy is the Aquatics Manager at Starfish Swim School. She has earned her Infant/Toddler Teaching Certification from the United States Swim School Association and has received extensive professional training in the most advance methods of swimming instruction.

Amy married her high school sweetheart over a decade ago and loves taking care of her rambunctious boys both in and out of the pool.

Helping children grow and learn has always been near to her heart whether teaching Sunday school, coaching girls' basketball, or counseling troubled teens. Amy considers herself incredibly lucky to combine her desire to teach with her love of swimming. Amy looks forward to meeting you and your child.

If you need to contact Amy you can email her at amy@swimdenver.com

Victor Milian
Victor Milian was born in Mexico City, Mexico. He is bilingual and a big asset to the children at Starfish that have need an instructor that speaks Spanish. He studied Marine Biology for three years in college and is a father to one daughter.

Victor has spent his life devoted to teaching children the lifesaving skill of swimming. He was trained by Nelson Vargus at Nelson Vargus Aquatica, a premier swim school in Mexico City. He taught lessons there as well as at he YMCA. He moved to California where he worked for 10 years in Valencia, California. He also coached the Santa Clarita Valley swim team and life-guarded.

Victor has a physical challenge which is what took him in the direction of working with children with special needs. He worked with Adaptive Sports and Recreation in Simi Valley, California as an adaptive aquatic specialist.

Mr. Victor, as many call him, is a friendly, hard-working professional. He has assisted in the training of many of the Starfish staff. He is very appreciated and liked by the entire Starfish Staff and most of all, he is loved by his students and their parents.

Sebastian Jarrett
Sebastian is the first student of Ann's to be trained and hired as an instructor.  He is incredibly capable and takes great care and concern for each child that he teaches.  His love for swimming led to a competitive swim career in his teen years.

Sebastian is also involved in Sea Scouting where he is pursuing knowledge in the maritime field .  He enjoys the study of piano tuning and website design.  

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Emily Philips
Emily graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Business Economics and a Master's in Finance.  After years of being in Corporate America, she decided to stay home and raise her children.

Emily originally came to Starfish to enroll her son and daughter to learn to swim.   While watching her children learn to swim, she very much enjoyed the method of teaching and philosophy at Starfish Swim School.  Emily then decided to become an instructor allowing her to optimize time with her family and share in a meaningful work environment.

Besides teaching swimming at Starfish, Emily takes care of infants in a MOPS program and for a women’s bible study group.  Emily also volunteers for a Parker AWANA’s program.  Emily enjoys water activities such as SCUBA diving and snorkeling with her family.

Deyanira Haro
Being a California native Deyanira Haro is instinctively drawn to the water. At the age of 16, Deyanira moved with her parents to Denver.

Pam Scott
Pam graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. At this time, she also obtained her WSI (Water Safety Instructor certification). She has been teaching swimming lessons ever since. Pam states, “that she loves to teach children.”  It is her passion, and love in life, to watch children develop, grow, and learn new and exciting things that add meaning, value and enjoyment to life.

After college Pam was an Assistant Director at the daycare / preschool where she grew up. She moved to Denver became the director of two large child care centers. When her own children were old enough to both start school, Pam took a break from working as a director and took a position with United Airlines.  She missed working with children so much that she obtained a job teaching swimming lessons at Heartwood Athletic Club during the summer.  She was furloughed from United Airlines and sought a position with the Cherry Creek School District where she currently works as a preschool teacher at Indian Ridge Elementary. She decided that she needed something to occupy her time in the summer and found her way back to her love of teaching swimming at Starfish Swim School. Pam feels that this is an outstanding program for teaching children to learn how to swim.

Christina DeCrescentis
Christina was born and has been raised in Colorado. She began swimming as a small child and has been a swimmer on her high school swim team for three years. She became a lifeguard this past year as her passion for swimming and water safety continued to increase.

She has loved working with children and has worked in the daycare at Heartwood Athletic Club as well as teaching Sunday school at her church. She was part of the church’s puppet ministry where she traveled and did puppet performances for children of whom most of them lived in orphanages.  

Christina is enthusiastic about becoming a swim teacher and having the opportunity to work with children in the water. When Christina is not working she enjoys listening to music and spending time with her friends.

Brenda Albano
Upon moving to Colorado, Brenda and her husband wanted her children, ages 4 and 2, to love, and be safe, in and around the water.  She discovered Starfish and began taking lessons first with her son and later with her daughter.

Her children take after her in her love for the water.  As long as Brenda can remember, she was enrolled in lessons or at a pool.  She loved to practice swimming laps and all the different strokes that she had learned.  Her mother called her the fish of the family.

Brenda also has a love for acting and joined the theater.  She acted all the way through college and then continued in dinner theatre.  She parlayed her acting into a short job as a host of a variety show at a radio station.  Brenda graduated the University of Nebraska with a BA in organizational communications.

As Brenda’s children advanced out of the Tiny Bubbles program at Starfish, Brenda discovered that she missed being in the water and working with her children. This brought her to the idea of getting back into the water to teach other children.  Brenda is very excited to be apart of the Starfish team and to now work with children in a most fulfilling and valuable way.

Cindy Novy
Cindy is from Costa Rica and moved to Denver at the age of 18  and married shortly after.

Paul Hemming
Paul grew up in Alaska where he competitively swam for eight years.  Paul earned his degree in education from the Oregon State University where he also participated for three years in the OSU Special Clinic – a motor fitness clinic for children with disabilities.

Paul recently became a certified Emergency Medical Technician and is training to become a Paramedic.

Paul enjoys teaching swimming and snowboarding to all ages.  On weekends in the wintertime, you will find Paul volunteering at Winter Park at the National Sports Center for the Disabled.

Tracy Travis
Tracy is a native to Colorado and shares a deep passion for the importance of teaching children to swim safely with all of us at Starfish.  Tracy is the proud mother of little girl named Melanie. 

Tracy brings her love and expertise of sport and swimming to the children at Starfish and particularly loves the feeling of accomplishment each child gains after a lesson. 

Tracy values the importance of swim lessons for each child and appreciates all the families that care about their children to provide these life-saving and enriching lessons.

John James
John moved to Denver from Fall River, Massachusetts in the fall of 2006. He is originally from Lafayette, Indiana where he began swimming at the age of nine years for a competitive swim club. During his high school years his family moved to New Hampshire where he continued to swim competitively. He helped his team win a state championship during his freshman year.

John attended Purdue University where he swam intramurals. He has been a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He has also volunteered with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. He is continuing to pursue his career in engineering or industrial management.

In his spare time John also enjoys playing golf and lacrosse. He enjoys teaching young people how to swim and improve their swimming ability. He looks forward to meeting you and working with your child.

Carlotta Knox
Carlotta Knox is a Colorado Native who graduated from Aurora Central High School and later earned her B.A. degree in communications from the University of Colorado. Carlotta is married to a wonderful man and has four lovely daughters. In her spare time, Carlotta enjoys remodeling and home improvement projects. In addition to spending time with her family, Carlotta is an avid swimmer. During one of her swim times at Heartwood Athletic club Carlotta noticed the exceptional skills and the benefits that were reflected through the students that they taught. Watching the Starfish program inspired Carlotta to become a member of the teaching staff.

Carlotta aspires to one day have her own swimming facility to accommodate financially and physically challenged individuals.

Diana Olson
The swimming pool has always been a major part of Diana's life and she is excited to have the opportunity to pass her expertise on to the youngsters at Starfish Swim School. She has been a competitive swimmer and water skier her whole life, swimming competitively through Junior High and High School. Between swim team and school, I received my WSI (water safety instructor certificate) and taught youth swimming at North High School and surrounding pools.

Diana is the proud mother of four and the water and water safety has always been the forefront of their lives. Since Diana's high school days , she recently updated her WSI and currently teach swimming and water safety at Henderson Water-ski Club to some members with visiting guests who may not be comfortable in the water. Diana enjoys teaching children of all ages to have respect for the water, learn to swim, and have fun doing it.

In her spare time Diana continues to compete in local water skiing tournaments and swim events. She also enjoys water sports, winter sports, and family activities, which include her four Pembroke Corgis who are also big fans of the water! Diana looks forward to meeting you and your children for a year filled with lots of instructional fun. She will see you at the pool!

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Shanyndoah Bowen
Shanyn has previously worked as a lifeguard and loves children and swimming. She is currently a Theatre major at Community College of Denver, although she is behind the scenes building everything. Being the older of two siblings she feels that she can relate to younger children. She loves to play and have fun, while teaching children how to swim and be safe! Shanyn is very excited to be a part of the Starfish team.

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Benjamin Wilson
Benjamin was born in Cincinnati but moved around a lot as a child. While living in California he fell into his back yard pool and felt traumatized by the water. After being enrolled in private swimming lessons he overcame his fear. Since that time he estimates that at least a year of his life has been spent in a pool. From back yard pools as a child to life guarding for four years, year round competitive swimming since 7th grade and 4 years of water polo where he was all-state in high school, Ben has found his enjoyment in the water.

Ben is the oldest of three children in his family. He tries to be consciences in all that he does and loves to support live music.

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Amanda Thomas
Amanda (Mandy as she likes to be called) grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. She has always enjoyed swimming and being in the water. She swam competitively for 8 years. Her favorite stroke was the butterfly because she enjoyed the challenge. Mandy has also competed in Triathlons where she swam in the open waters of Lake Michigan.

Mandy loves children and worked as a nanny for a number of years. She loves to see children learn and grow. She is very excited to now combine her love of children and swimming.

Mandy moved to the Denver area to attend college at Colorado Christian University. She began her studies towards a major in Business Administration with a minor in Youth Ministry. She met her husband at school and recently became the parent of a baby boy. Mandy is very excited to be a part of the Starfish Swim School!

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Carlie Campuzano
Carlie is from Santa Clarita, California. She moved here last June after she got married, and is currently a second year civil engineering student at CU Boulder.

Carlie has been involved in sports since she was 5 and was on the cross country and softball teams in high school and the rowing team at her college. She is having a great time in Denver and loves to attend Rockies games with her husband.

Aside from sports, interacting with children has always been one of Carlie's favorite things to do: whether it was tutoring elementary students or playing with her younger sister or cousins. She is excited to be a part of the starfish swim school where she can work with children while teaching them a valuable skill.

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Laura Halterman-Graves

Laura began swimming at the age of 14 months with Ann Shidler as her instructor. She has been a proficient swimmer since that time. At the age of 7 she joined a swim team. Laura continued to swim competitively until the age of 17 where she was on the East High School's varsity swim team. Laura began teaching swimming several summers ago with the Denver Parks and Recreation Summer program and also taught at a private health club.

Laura has plans to attend the University of Colorado at Denver in the fall of 2008 to pursue the study of child psychology. She has a love of working with child now and looks forward to continued work with them in the future.

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Renee Scott
Renee is the daughter of instructor Pamela Scott. She has been a swimmer since the age of five. She attends Smokey Hill High school where she in in the AP program and has made the honor roll since middle school. She has swam competitively for the her high school but currently swims on the MACS swim team. Renee is a very responsible young lady that along with a busy school and swim team schedule has made the time to devote to her job life guarding here at Starfish.

Kayla Hasstedt
Kayla is the oldest of two children. She currently attends Grandview High school where she takes courses in the AP program. At school she is involved in the Key Club, German Club, and adopt a grandfriend. She has also been involved with helping out in the three year old Sunday school class.

Her hobbies include basketball, tennis, reading, youth group and swimming. She is motivated to work at Starfish Swim School as she loves to see kids excited and happy when they accomplish their goals. She feels that children are always greatful and happy to see others. Life guarding allows her to learn so many new things. She looks forward to being able to teach someday soon.

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Tina Kucharski
Tina has true talent and passion for teaching and caring when it comes to little minds and hearts.  At a very young age, Tina earned a position as a Nanny.  This formative experience helped mold her commitment towards building a healthy, and nurturing attitude towards family, life, swimming, safety and happiness. 

Married with two children, Tina continued to nanny before becoming an instructor at Starfish. In 2001, she brought her son and the boy that nannied to swimming lessons.  While at a lesson, Tina witnessed another instructor teaching babies how to float, however, the boy that she nannied had taken lessons for several years and still did not know how to back float. This was very concerning to her because he had a pool in his backyard. 

Tina watched for several weeks then finally got the nerve to ask the instructor how she was teaching the babies to float. The instructor said to bring the boys over and guaranteed that she would teach them how to float. Within the first lesson with this woman, the boys were backfloating! Tina was sold! That instructor  was Ann Shidler.

When Ann opened Starfish Swim School in 2003 after teaching swimming privately for 16 years, Tina joined Ann. She has been teaching swimming and managing the school ever since. She was certified as an Infant/toddler instructor in 2004. She also received the teacher of the year award in 2004. Tina is certified as an instructor to teach Lifeguarding, CPR & First Aide, Oxygen administration and AED. Tina is also the coordinator of our Birthday party program where she will give your child a party that they will always remember joyfully, as well as their friends.

Tina considers it a true reward to continually experience the impact that she has made on the kids of Denver through her instruction, and she truly appreciates the impact the kids have made on her. Tina is dedicated to the success of Starfish and it’s students and has been Ann’s right hand since the school opened.

If you need to contact Tina you can email her at tina@swimdenver.com

Joanna Michalkow
Joanna was born in Warsaw, Poland, and moved with her parents to New York at the age of twelve. Joanna began her administrative career working at a health club managing accounts, working with the clientele at the front desk and scheduling swimming lessons. She was then recruited by Jim Spiers to be the administrator for SwimJim, Inc, a privately owned swim school in New York City. During the five years that she was employed at SwimJim, she attended and graduated from the Katherine Gibbs School with a degree in Office Administration. While working at SwimJim she also met Michael, whom she married in 2003.

Joanna and her husband decided to move to Denver where they could enjoy a more family-oriented life style.  After moving to Denver, Joanna received a telephone call from her previous employer whom Ann had met at a swim school conference.  He told Joanna of the need for a qualified administrator at Starfish and she was hired soon thereafter.  
Since becoming a member of the Starfish Swim School team, Joanna has attended many USSSA conferences, continually expanding her knowledge and expertise in superior swim school management. Joanna is the mother of twin boys, Jakub and Filip who started in the Tiny Bubbles program in 2005  with mom and dad!  

Joanna is a huge asset to the school because of her caring customer service, organizational skills, and ability to speak Polish to our polish clientele!

If you need to contact Joanna you can email her at joanna@swimdenver.com

Barbara Novy
Barbara recently moved to Colorado from New York to be closer to two of her married sons and grandchildren. Her third son lives in Alaska. 

Barbara has joined our office staff and you will see her smiling face greeting you most weekday mornings! After more than 20 years in the banking business and meticulously caring for customers and providing superb service, Barbara is happy to be at Starfish and care for your family’s needs in her expert and kind manner.

Lindsay Folker
Lindsay is a Colorado native. She grew up swimming and was on competitive summer teams.

She graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in political science. Lindsay left Starfish in the summer of 2006 to attend law school in Baltimore. She decided to return to Starfish in an administrative capacity after realizing that her passion was not in law and that she missed the beauty of Colorado.

Lindsay loves swimming and children and has been a part of Starfish Swim School for over three years. She enjoys watching her infant swimmers grow into toddlers that are swimming across the pool and loving the water. Lindsay was active with training new instructors. She has now returned to assisting the Starfish Staff in the office and will hopefully find her way back to the pool for a few hours of teaching. Lindsay looks forward to speaking with and assisting you with scheduling your child's swimming lessons.

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Teresa Gomez
Teresa was born and raised in Colorado and enjoys being out in the great Colorado weather when I get the chance.

She is the mother of a five year old daughter who will be starting kindergarten soon. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and cooking.

She has worked in the customer service industry for many years. She has worked at children’s clothing stores and at a day care center where she has assisted many parents and children. She looks forward to meeting the family's and children that attend Starfish Swim School. She especially loves to hear from each child about their progress each day after their lesson.

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