Meet Our Aquatics Team
Kaitlyn Layer is The J’s Aquatic Supervisor. In her role, Kaitlyn oversees private swimming lessons and the water exercise programs. Kaitlyn has worked around pools since the age of 15. She has been a lifeguard, swim instructor, supervisor and director at previous pools. She is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Biology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son and husband.
Alex Peterson is The J’s Learn to Swim Coordinator. In his role, Alex oversees group swimming lessons. Alex has worked around pools since the age of 16. He has been a lifeguard, swim instructor and supervisor at his previous pools. He is a graduate of John Carroll University with degrees in History and East Asian Studies. In his spare time, Alex likes to cook, build model kits and fly his kites. He also enjoys independently studying and learning new things.
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
DeAndre started working at the Mandel JCC in January 2020. He has been teaching for over 5 years and has been swimming all his life. DeAndre’s biggest goal for his swimmers is to make sure that they feel safe in the water. DeAndre wants parents to know that their children are safe in the water. He really enjoys seeing and helping others progress to become better swimmers.
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Claire started working at the Mandel JCC in 2015. She has worked at the Mandel JCC since August of 2016 – five summers as camp staff at J-Day Camps and three years as swim instructor at The J’s indoor pool. Claire also coaches middle school field hockey and lacrosse. Claire holds certifications in fundamentals of coaching, concussion protocol, lifeguarding, Lifeguard instruction and water safety instruction. Claire finds importance in the small moments that she has with children and their families when she can see the excitement and joy that progressing in lessons means to them.
Home Town:
Northampton, MA
College Education / Certifications
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Communications
National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) Certified Personal Trainer
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer
NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
TRX Qualified Suspension Trainer
KBC Kettlebell Level 1 Instructor
ACE HumanSport Certified
ACE Sports Conditioning Certified
ACE Partner-Assisted Stretch Certified
BOSU Certified
Indo-Row/Shockwave Certified
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Kevin started working at the Mandel JCC in 2017. Kevin has taught swimming for 50 years. Many of his students have progressed to swim team level. Kevin has coached all ages and all levels including Masters swimmers. He has competed with US Masters since 1995. Kevin’s personal mission is to enrich and save lives by teaching people to swim and he loves the fulfillment he gets from his job.
Charles is a triathlete who has completed an Ironman competition. With his multidimensional approach to fitness, Charles has had great success working with individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Charles believes that true fitness is holistic, and that cardio, strength training and flexibility are all of equal importance. His goal is to strengthen your weaknesses and take you to levels of fitness you never believed you could reach. Charles is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified trainer and has a degree in Exercise Science.