Here at Farber Swim School, we pride ourselves on having a fun and energetic staff who love the water and love to teach! All of our instructors are trained to teach ages 3–18 years. Some of our instructors go through extra training to specialize in: Adults, Babies (4–35 months), Fearful swimmers, Little swimmers (2.5–3 years), Additional needs, and Team-level.
To get to know our staff, click a name to read a staff’s bio & see what extra training and qualifications they have!
Owners |
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Title: Business Owner / Swim Instructor / Coach Adam has been around pools all of his life. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona where he started swimming competitively at the age of 5. He swam through high school and then afterward began teaching lessons for Hubbard Family Swim School. After moving to Nevada, Adam continued teaching professionally at multiple facilities, which led to coaching positions at Sparks High School and the University of Nevada. Adam then moved to Oregon and after working at a local swim school for a couple years, founded Farber Swim School in 2007. Adam oversees all aspects of the swim school, including coaching the FSS Penguins and Pee Wees swim teams. In addition he is Head Coach of Sunset High School's men's and women's swim teams. Adam is a US Swim School Association Level 2 Instructor as well as an American Swim Coaches Association Level 3. Oregon State High School Swimming Titles: 2017 - Girls 1st in state & Boys 2nd in state
Awards: 2014 - Oregon Athletic Association's 6A Boys Swim Coach of the Year
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The family! |
 Kristin Farber Kristin Farber Title: Business Owner Kristin's background is in teaching and coordinating sports and recreational programs for youth and adults. She has worked for Oregon State University's recreation department and KidSpirit Youth Programs, Willamette Valley Girls on the Run, Mittleman Jewish Community Center, and Tualatin Hills Park Recreation. At FSS, Kristin's focus is on managing the business side of things: coordinating programs, keeping the office running, and making sure FSS is providing the best customer service to its participants! |
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Managers |
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Administrative Staff |
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Annie Title: Office / Events & Marketing / Swim Instructor Annie grew up in Beaverton and attended college in Idaho. She then moved to England where she earned her master's degree at the University of Kent, Canterbury. She has always loved swimming, and it wasn't long after starting office work at Farber that she just had to get in the water with those cute kids! Her favorite parts of the job are: watching her amazing students learn; organizing fun events; and creating the monthly coloring contests. Annie's favorite swimming stroke is the breaststroke. She is a nerdy English major who enjoys writing poetry, singing show tunes, and petting her dog. Specialties: Babies, Littles, Fears FSS employee since: February 2014 |
Vyvan Title: Office Assistant Vyvan was born and raised in Beaverton, where she currently resides. She is a proud mom to two rambunctious boys and has taken the last two years off to be home with them. Previously she worked in banking, cosmetics, and at a aquatic center. When she's not chasing her boys around she likes to spend time with family and friends and being outdoors. She's enjoys finding new restaurants to try, traveling, and shopping. FSS employee since: May 2017 |
Priscilla Title: Office Assistant Priscilla grew up in Papua New Guinea where one of the favorite pastimes in the hot afternoons was hanging out by the river and tubing in the icy mountain river water. After graduating from high school, Priscilla moved to the USA to Ohio where she studied at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and received a degree in English. As a lover of the disciplines of reading and writing, Priscilla would love to continue learning and studying more about literature in the future. At every stage of life, Priscilla has enjoyed and been passionate about environments that invest in kids and their development, a passion which has lead her to tutor, teach, and nanny throughout high school, college, and post-graduation. In August of 2016, she moved to Portland, Oregon with her husband and was refreshed to be back where there are mountains on the horizon and lush rain-forests within walking distance! FSS employee since: May 2017 |
Diane Title: Office Assistant / Instructor Diane grew up swimming, sailing, and ice skating, in Mountain Lakes, NJ which has five lakes, but not a single mountain. While lakes are lovely, she much prefers swimming in pools where there are no water snakes or snapping turtles. After high school, Diane came to Oregon to climb real mountains and to study English at Reed College and later worked as a computer programmer for Fred Meyer, a secretary at a genetics institute in Germany, and as a high school and college English instructor in Ohio. These days Diane lives Southwest Portland with her husband, three teenagers, one dog, and three cats, and can often be found at her daughters’ softball games, her son’s theater productions, or on the trails in Forest Park. Diane is thrilled to be a part of the Farber Swim Family because she loves to help people learn and feels privileged to be able to teach swimming. Just learning how to move your body in water is magical, but learning to swim is also about learning to trust: your teacher, the water, and most of all, yourself. If you can learn to swim, you can learn just about anything! Specialties: Age 3-18 FSS employee since: May 2017 |
Jennifer Title: Office Assistant Bio coming soon! FSS employee since: July 2017 |
 TerikaTerika Title: Office Assistant
Photo and Bio coming soon! |
Sergio |
Teresa Title: Instructor / Office Assistant Teresa was born and raised in California, and developed an affinity for water at an early age. She earned her B.A. in International Affairs with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, TESOL, from the University of Nevada, Reno and continued her education by attending the University of San Francisco for graduate school. Teresa enjoys being civically engaged, attending and participating in local neighborhood association committee meetings, Beaverton Diversity Advisory Board meeting, Beaverton Organizational Leadership and Development seminars. Further, this fall she will be a part of Beaverton Citizens Academy. Teresa finds helping people in her community enriching and looks forward to working with the next generation of swimmer(s) learn and build swim/pool safety skills. Specialties: Ages 3–18, Babies, Littles |
Natalie |
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Instructors |
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Annie Title: Office / Events & Marketing / Swim Instructor Annie grew up in Beaverton and attended college in Idaho. She then moved to England where she earned her master's degree at the University of Kent, Canterbury. She has always loved swimming, and it wasn't long after starting office work at Farber that she just had to get in the water with those cute kids! Her favorite parts of the job are: watching her amazing students learn; organizing fun events; and creating the monthly coloring contests. Annie's favorite swimming stroke is the breaststroke. She is a nerdy English major who enjoys writing poetry, singing show tunes, and petting her dog. Specialties: Babies, Littles, Fears FSS employee since: February 2014
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Cait Title: Team Manager, Instructor & Pee Wee Coach Cait began her competitive swimming career in 1994 in Shaker Heights, Ohio when summer swim lessons were full at her local rec center and her mom decided to try her on the swim team instead. Cait never left the pool and swam competitively for club teams in Ohio, Nebraska, and Minnesota before swimming in college for Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. She continues to swim in triathlons and Master’s swimming. In 2001 she found an additional outlet for swimming as a teacher and coach. She’s been working as a teacher and coach since then, taking a break only to complete her MFA in Film Production at FSU in 2012. She is excited to continue her swimming career in her new Oregon home. When not at FSS, Cait is an Assistant Coach at Westview High School for the men’s and women’s swim teams. Cait most enjoys preparing swimmers for competition, but has experience teaching all ages and skill levels, including babies and toddlers! Her teaching focuses on developing good technique at every level and fostering a life long love of the sport. Specialties: Ages 3-18, Adults, Babies, Littles, Team Additional languages: German FSS employee since: November 2016 |
Jessie Title: Instructor Jessica was Born in San Francisco and lived all over the West Coast during her childhood. She grew up swimming and exploring the Pacific Ocean. Once moving to Oregon she began competitive swimming for the next six years with the Hillsboro HEAT swim team & the Hillsboro High School team. She spends her free time camping, kayaking & hiking with her Puppy (Penny). She is attending PCC for her Associates of general studies and hopes to go on to study Oceanography & Communications. Jessica has fostered her passion for the ocean into teaching others & looks forward to helping everyone have a safe and fun under the sea experience. Specialties: Age 3-18, Babies, Littles FSS Employee since November 2017 |
Zak |
Christina Title: Instructor Christina is a swim instructor at FSS, she has been around the water her entire life, starting in her elementary school years. She has 10+ years of swim team and teaching experience, and loves sharing her knowledge of stroke technique with her students and swimmers. Growing up in the Philomath/Corvallis area, Christina studied music at Oregon State University up through the spring of 2018, then relocated up to the Portland area. She has taught all ages in the past: kids, teens, babies, and adults, and really loves the non-competitive nature of Farber lessons. In her spare time, she enjoys making quilts and embroidered wall hangings. Specialties: Ages 3–18, Babies, Littles |
Matt Title: Instructor Born and raised in Kansas, Matt moved to Portland in 2014. Swimming has been a passion of Matt's since taking lessons and swimming competitively starting at the age of five. He continued swimming through high school where his favorite event was the 50 Free, and in college he competed in Butterfly at Nationals! Matt also has 7 years of Indiana University & Longhorn swim camp training. He has been a swim instructor for over 8 years teaching at YMCAs, water parks, and residential private lessons while also coaching USA Swimming for 4 years. This has allowed him to work with hundreds of swimmers giving him the ability to assess a swimmer’s ability level and the steps to reach their swimming goals, whether that be to build confidence in the water, strength, or skill in individual strokes or to just blow some bubbles. He has fun and works great with kids. He likes to get to know them and works to get them excited about swimming while challenging themselves to learn and excel all while having fun. Specialties: Ages 3-18, Team FSS employee since: Feb 2017
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Sophie Title: Instructor Sophie was born and raised in the UK and lived most recently in Germany for 9 years. She moved to Oregon a year ago, and is enjoying this new adventure! Sophie first swam as a toddler and has been a passionate swimmer ever since. She completed lifeguard training courses in the UK and in Germany, where she swam competitively for 4 years at a private club. Soon after moving to Oregon, she joined another swim team and is currently competing for Sunset High School. Working with children is another of Sophie's callings, and she has many years' experience volunteering at a kindergarten, babysitting for multiple other families, and taking care of her 4-year-old sister. Kids are so wonderfully curious and eager to learn—just like Sophie herself, who enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. She loves helping children progress from stepping-stone to stepping-stone and then seeing their faces light up when they reach their goal. Sophie always wants to get kids laughing, and believes that fun and play are integral to a child's learning process. Other than the pool, Sophie's favorite place to be is somewhere comfortable with a book. Specialties: ages 3–18 FSS Employee since: May 2018 Additional languages: German (fluent) & Spanish (basic) |
Mark Title: Instructor Mark was born in Montana and has been in the water most of his life. He started swimming after moving to Idaho when his family got a pool in his backyard. Later, in high school, Mark got a job as a swim teacher and lifeguard, where he discovered a love of teaching. Out of high school, Mark joined the armed forces and spent six years there learning how to coach and train young adults, including teaching his whole platoon how to swim! Coming back to Oregon for school Mark got a degree in welding technology and put it to use throwing beads and teaching those less experienced. Mark looks forward every day to finding something new to teach everyone he knows, whether it's new swimmers or refining an advanced technique. On the dry side, Mark has started a business of his own: bringing wall street needs to main street families. He consults about income protection, debt management, and preparing for retirement. He's looking forward to all the new challenges that he will get to face and overcome. He can't wait to meet you and help you improve! Specialties: Ages 3-18, Adults FSS employee since: April 2017 |
Title: Instructor Doug, 58, is a life-long swimmer who began competing at age 6 (along with his four swimmer siblings) in various pools of New Jersey and Missouri, where he was raised. Doug attended the University of Missouri as an Athlete Scholar, which took him to the 1980 Pan American games in Mexico City! A shoulder injury ended his competitive career and opened the door for his move to Oregon State University, where he graduated in 1981 with a BS in Psychology. Douglas rejoined the competitive field, joining the U.S. Masters Swimming association to swim for the Multnomah Athletic Club, where he swims daily. Retired from his career as an occupational safety officer for the Oregonian Publishing Co., Doug became certified through USMS as an Adult Learn-to-Swim instructor. Doug lives in Raleigh Hills with his wife, Bridget. Doug also enjoys kayaking, golf, skiing, and traveling, which often takes him to Long Beach, CA to visit his daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons. Specialties: Ages 3–18, Adults, Team-level FSS employee since: April 2016 |
Dana Title: Instructor Dana grew up in Northern California and started competitive swimming at age 7, when her parents realized her desire to always “be first” needed to be channeled in a more positive direction. Swimming took her through school, national and international meets, and gave her her first chance to teach children to swim. From the age of 11 she found joy in watching a child’s smiles (and tears) as they recognize their ability to swim. Following college, Dana’s career in the biotech/biomedical field led her away from the pool (although the smell of chlorine always made her look for one). The next 20+ years were spent working and traveling while still finding time to volunteer with children (and animals). Now, living in Portland, she is excited to have found Farber Swim School. Dana feels honored and blessed to be given an opportunity to, once again, participate in teaching the thing she feels so passionate about: swimming. She is also training again to, hopefully, compete in future open water swims and triathlons. Specialties: Ages 3–18, Babies, Littles, Adults |
Mutile (Momo) - Pee Wees Coach Title: Instructor & Pee Wees Coach Mutile (Momo) discovered her love for swimming as a toddler learning to swim with her parents in Washington, DC. She eventually moved to Seattle where she participated in recreational lessons throughout her childhood and swam competitively for a brief time while she went to boarding school in Kenya. Momo recently moved to Portland to continue her education in nursing and looks forward to spreading her love of swimming to all her students. In her free time, she regularly visits her family and friends in Seattle, reads, watches movies and cooks. Specialties: Team FSS Employee since November 2017 |
Diane Title: Office Assistant / Instructor Diane grew up swimming, sailing, and ice skating, in Mountain Lakes, NJ which has five lakes, but not a single mountain. While lakes are lovely, she much prefers swimming in pools where there are no water snakes or snapping turtles. After high school, Diane came to Oregon to climb real mountains and to study English at Reed College and later worked as a computer programmer for Fred Meyer, a secretary at a genetics institute in Germany, and as a high school and college English instructor in Ohio. These days Diane lives Southwest Portland with her husband, three teenagers, one dog, and three cats, and can often be found at her daughters’ softball games, her son’s theater productions, or on the trails in Forest Park. Diane is thrilled to be a part of the Farber Swim Family because she loves to help people learn and feels privileged to be able to teach swimming. Just learning how to move your body in water is magical, but learning to swim is also about learning to trust: your teacher, the water, and most of all, yourself. If you can learn to swim, you can learn just about anything! Specialties: Age 3-18 FSS employee since: May 2017 |
Raymond Title: Instructor Raymond grew up in Portland and has been swimming, playing water polo, and coaching/teaching swimming. Recently graduating from Pacific University and studying History and Art History, Raymond is working towards a position at a museum or archive. Currently living in Beaverton, Raymond is excited to be teaching lessons again, and is looking forward to meeting everyone in the Farber Swim Family. Specialties: Ages 3–18, Team-level |
Natalie |
Teresa Title: Instructor / Office Assistant Teresa was born and raised in California, and developed an affinity for water at an early age. She earned her B.A. in International Affairs with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, TESOL, from the University of Nevada, Reno and continued her education by attending the University of San Francisco for graduate school. Teresa enjoys being civically engaged, attending and participating in local neighborhood association committee meetings, Beaverton Diversity Advisory Board meeting, Beaverton Organizational Leadership and Development seminars. Further, this fall she will be a part of Beaverton Citizens Academy. Teresa finds helping people in her community enriching and looks forward to working with the next generation of swimmer(s) learn and build swim/pool safety skills. Specialties: Ages 3–18, Babies, Littles |
Katherine Title: Instructor Katherine has been swimming since she was 2 months old. She began competing at an early age and swam on teams until she was 14. She took a break from competition during high school to devote her time to pursuing theater design. In her free time, Katherine enjoys playing her ukulele, doing SPFX (Special Effects) makeup, going to concerts, attending comic conventions in cosplay, and hanging out with friends. Katherine plans to attend cosmetology school while teaching at FSS, working toward a future as a professional SPFX makeup artist. FSS Employee since: March 2018 |
Holly Title: Instructor Holly is a native Oregonian, born and raised in Portland. She swam for the first time when she was 6 months old and hasn't stopped since! She has competed on Jesuit Swim Team all through high school. For the past 5 years, Holly has spent her summers volunteering to work with children with disabilities. She loves working with children; it always brightens her day to hear all about their opinions, stories, and unique perspectives. It's amazing to see what kids can accomplish when they challenge themselves and work hard. Other sports Holly has competed in include track and lacrosse. Holly also loves languages: she speaks fluent Spanish and is learning Mandarin Chinese. Her hobbies include sailing, kayaking, traveling, and horseriding; one day she hopes to own her very own horse (and a few dogs, too). Specialties: Age 3–18 Additional languages: Spanish FSS employee since: May 2017 |
Roni Title: Instructor A native Portlander, Roni loves water adventures like wake-boarding, jet skiing, and scuba diving! She is a certified scuba diver and has dived in Washington and in Eilat, Israel. Roni competed on the PJA Stingrays Swim Team a few years ago, and this year she joined Congregation Shaarie Torah's Sunday & Saturday School Staff to educate youth in language arts and cultural studies. Roni has been a volunteer MESD Outdoor School Counselor, educating sixth graders on water field studies in an immersive outdoor experience. An honor roll junior at St. Mary's Academy, Roni looks forward to a future in psychology and medicine. Specialties: Age 3–18, Babies Additional languages: Hebrew (fluent) FSS employee since: June 2017 |
Thaly - Pee Wees Coach Title: Instructor Thaly ("Taw-LEE") has been involved in swimming from the age of nine. He swam on various clubs throughout his youth, in addition to being part of the Tualatin High School swim team. In the 10 years since then, Thaly has continued learning about fitness and exercise science. He is influenced very much by George Hebert and Ido Portal, two physical educators who developed their own systems of education. The former developed a system known as Natural Method; the latter created a philosophy that emphasizes movements that work the body as a whole. As an instructor, Thaly is excited to help his students become water-safe and learn essential skills, while at the same time fostering an attitude of sheer enjoyment, playfulness, and freedom that comes from being in the water. He is especially excited to coach the FSS Swim Team, the Pee Wee Penguins! GO PEE WEES! Specialties: Ages 3–18, Adults, Team-level FSS Instructor since: May 2018 |
Grace Title: Instructor Grace was born and raised in Portland. She started swimming as a baby, and instantly fell in love with all things water. As she grew, her passion for the sport kept her at the head of her classes! At 6, Grace was ready to compete and joined the Portland Aquatic Club Swim Team, where she won ribbons and medals and even broke the team record for 50 meter butterfly (48.08 seconds)! She continued on the PAC Team for 10 years, then switched to her high school team at 16. Grace is so happy to share her love of the water with her students here at FSS. She loves how sweet and kind children can be, with their bright young spirits and cute smiles! For her older students, she enjoys helping them hone their technique, and prepare them for team-level swimming! It's so rewarding to see her students progress. Naturally, Grace loves everything about the ocean and beach too, and love to travel to the Oregon coast. Grace plans to attend PCC this year to pursue a career in Interior Design. FSS employee since: June 2018 |
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Sergio |
Shea Title: Instructor Shea has been a water sport enthusiast her whole life. She loves wakeboarding the lakes, whitewater rafting the rivers, body surfing the ocean, and swimming laps in the pool. Growing up she was on swim teams where she lived, and attended Stanford and Gonzaga swim camps in the summer. Shea has a working knowledge of stroke technique, breath-work, and swimming dynamics. While at high school in southern Oregon, Shea focused on basketball and softball while also earning her water safety certification so that she could lifeguard and teach private lessons. Shea is an artist and received a portfolio grant for her ceramic sculptures from the Academy of Art University in the beautiful city of San Francisco. After earning her BFA, she pursued a career in product prototyping and construction. She has been a seamstress for the last 7 years. When Shea isn’t swimming or playing on sport leagues she is drawing, sewing, cooking, camping, and traveling. She loves learning new things and sharing that knowledge with others. Being a instructor for Farber Swim School gives Shea the perfect opportunity to share her passion for swimming to others. Whether you're looking to compete, just be comfortable in the water, or anything in-between, Shea will bring a helpful and safe environment to achieve your goals. |
Michelle |
Deanna Title: Instructor Deanna grew up in Wisconsin, where she was a competitive swimmer, lifeguard, swimming instructor. She received her PADI Diving certification at 16. At the University of Oregon she continued her love of water sports by participating in Crew (team rowing) and worked as a PADI Divemaster. During her time at college she worked as a swimming instructor, lifeguard instructor, and CPR/First Aid Instructor. She graduated with a degree in History and a minor in Women’s Studies. These days you can find Deanna volunteering at her kids' school as the PTO Fundraising Chair, or at C.A.T. with her oldest son as a cat cuddler to help the kitties become more adoptable. Deanna has a love of fitness and nutrition, as she is also a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Swimming was her first form of fitness and has had a lifelong impact, so teaching others to swim is a way of giving back that same sense of possibility. Deanna also enjoys traveling with her husband and two boys, eating great food, cooking new recipes, and loving on her chocolate lab and two kitties. Specialties: Ages 3–18. |
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