Meet Our Aquatics Team

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.

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.