Westchester, New York – Swim Coaches
* N – indicates Northern Westchester
* S – indicates Southern Westchester
* N/S – indicates available in both Northern and Southern Westchester
Ashley Venuto – N
Ashley Venuto – Swim Director is a Certified NYS Physical Education and Health teacher who lives in Westchester, NY. Before moving to Westchester in 2014 to pursue her teaching career, Ashley grew up on Long Island where she was a 3-sport varsity athlete.
In the summers she worked as an ocean lifeguard and taught water-safety and swim lessons to infants and children. As a former Division III field hockey player at SUNY Cortland, Ashley returned to athletics as a coach. She has experience coaching at the youth, travel, JV, and Varsity levels. Her favorite hobbies are cycling, swimming, going to the beach, crafting, traveling and riding roller coasters!
Cassandra Davude – N/S
Cassandra grew up swimming at Torview Swim Club and was a member of the varsity swim program all four years of high school. Cassandra is an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and has worked at Pace University in their summer swim camps as a counselor and swim instructor.
Cassandra Davide is a certified elementary special education teacher (ages birth through sixth grade) a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and lives and works in Westchester, NY. She is very passionate about the inclusion of all children and believes that everyone should have fun while learning! In her spare time, she loves to take walks with her dog Addie, read, practice yoga, and laugh.
Danielle Jaycox – N/S
Danielle was born and raised in Amityville which is on Long Island. She went to Adelphi University in Garden City and played for the women’s lacrosse team for all four years (they were national champs 2x’s while she was there!!) and she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education & Health. Danielle stayed at Adelphi as a coach while getting her Master’s Degree in Adaptive Physical Education and an Advanced Certification in Special Education.
Danielle is currently a full-time physical education & health teacher at Hommocks Middle School in Mamaroneck. She currently teaches 7/8th grade health, Adaptive PE & PE. She coaches JV lacrosse, special Olympics, and is the assistant varsity coach of soccer. As part of the PE program, the school as a pool she teaches students about all different types of swimming information- diving, swimming, lifeguard safety etc. personally has been a lifeguard since 16 years old as well. Her hobbies include exercising and being on her boat on long island with family and friends.
Jason Shenloogian – N
Jason Shenloogian attended and graduated from Dominican college for Athletic Training with a BS degree. He has completed internships with the sports teams at West Point Prep Academy, Ramapo College and Spring Valley High School, performing assessments, evaluations, facilitating preventative and rehabilitative treatments as well as, creating individualized athletic exercise programs.
He has worked as a chiropractor scoliosis assistant, physical therapist aide, camp counselor and lifeguard. On his off time you can catch fishing in streams and off boats to hiking all of bear mountain. He has acquired a first degree black belt as well as 19 trophies through Tae Kwon Do tournaments over 10 years.
Rodney Curtis – N
Rodney Curtis is a NYS Certified Physical Education Teacher for Grades K to 12 for over a decade having taught locally in Mamaroneck 2008-2017 and in NYC 2017-present. He has experience coaching many sports seasons from lacrosse to basketball, swim teams, football, frisbee, soccer, pickleball, and geo ball. He is WSI certified, lifeguard certified, cpr/first aid/aed, and glucagon trained for children with diabetes. For over two decades Rodney has fulfilled his passion teaching swim lessons to adults, children, and children with special needs.
Coach Rodney resides in Bedford Corners with his wife and two active sons. Rod loves all things water, especially surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, and swim across america. Cooking, rock climbing and making go pro videos are his hidden talents!
Erik Streinger – N/S
Erik Streinger is a New Rochelle local westchester resident who played collegiate level soccer. He grew up in Brazil playing soccer from an early age, always involved in sports and all physical activities like basketball teams and lacrosse when he moved to the US at age 15. He has spent multiple years working at an elementary school, as a sports camp counsellor and lifeguard.
Most recently he has been teaching swim lessons the last three years and is pursuing his personal training certification as well as a sports recreation management degree in college. Erik enjoys building children’s confidence through physical activity and sports on land and in the water.
JT Dale – N
JT Dale is a NYS certified K-12 Physical Education and Health teacher currently teaching in Westchester County, NY. Throughout the school year, JT teaches fitness, a wide range of individual and team sports, cooperative game activities, rock climbing, kayaking, and various swim and swim safety classes. JT has experience coaching a variety of interscholastic athletic teams. He has coached track and field, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, and wrestling at the high school and middle school levels. JT has even had the opportunity to travel to both Bulgaria and Italy as part of his wrestling team that practiced and competed while visiting those countries.
JT was born and raised in Rockland County, NY where he still currently lives and serves as out NeverStopMoving365 Rockland Coordinator. Throughout his life, JT has always been participating in something physically active. He is an avid sports fan and a huge New York Rangers fan. As a strong believer in making physical activity FUN, he is always looking for new and exciting ways to stay active. JT loves to pass along his passion and knowledge to help others live healthy and active lifestyles.
Sophia Gelard – N
Sophia Gelard is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Swim Instructor from Greenwich, Connecticut. She is a certified lifeguard with over three years of experience in teaching group and private swim lessons.
Sophia grew up in Westchester NY, and graduated from Binghamton University with a Master of Public Health and a B.A. in Psychology. At Binghamton University, she ran Division 1 Track and Field and was an America East Presidential Scholar Athlete Award recipient.
Sophia is currently finishing her Master of Teaching in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy at Manhattanville College. She has been running both recreationally and competitively for over 14 years. Her hobbies are hiking, weight training, swimming, skiing, running, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Chris Aquina – N/S
Chris is a Mahopac resident and is in the process of getting his MAT in Sport Pedagogy and Physical Education at Manhattanville University in Purchase, NY. Chris loves to coach, teach, and play a variety of different sports and games. Among them are Baseball, Weightlifting, Pickleball, Skiing, Soccer, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, and more. Chris has coached youth Baseball, Basketball, and Swimming; as well as adult Pickleball. Chris has experience as a Recreation Leader at the Patterson Rec Center and has run multiple sports programs and camps. When Chris isn’t coaching or playing sports, his hobbies include fishing, BBQing and baking bread.
Ella Javorsky – N
Ella Javorsky is completing her degree in movement science (kinesiology) from University of Michigan on a pre-pa route. Growing up as an athlete, she loves teaching youth her passion for exercise, swim and sports-like activities. She has been a lifeguard for 3 years now and in addition to work in the pool, she has specialized in color war and field day type parties for young kids to get them competing in a fun and active way. You can find her running, walking her dog, or cooking healthy meals in her free time!!
Emily Polvere – N
Emily Polvere is a Somers resident, pursuing her Master’s of Education in Physical Education at Manhattanville University.
She has extensive experience coaching middle and high school track & field, swimming and biking for kindergarten and first grade students, as well as after-school programs and summer camps. Emily holds certificates as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and AED/First Aid/CPR.
Not only has she impacted those on the sporting fields, but also in the classroom. Emily started her teaching career as a sixth grade Associate Teacher at New Canaan Country School, in Connecticut. She moved on to teach fourth grade at Berkley Caroll, but jumped at the opportunity to join their Physical Education Department. Emily then became an Associate PE Teacher, where she was later promoted Head PE/Swim Teacher, middle school Cross Country/Track Coach and Indoor Varsity Track & Field Coach. With her five years of experience, she has worked with children of varying ages and abilities, and has encouraged all of her students to take pride in their work and do their very best.
During Emily’s own athletic journey, she has played basketball, soccer, lacrosse, but focused on track & field, competing up to the collegiate level at Stonehill College. She has always had a passion for living an active lifestyle and strives to leave the same positive impact other coaches and teachers have left on her. In her down time, you can find Emily at concerts with friends or at the beach with her family.