Did you know that Columbus Business First recently named Goldfish Swim School one of the Best Places to Work in Central Ohio? If you’re curious about some of the warm and welcoming instructors and staff members who work at the swim school, we’d love to introduce you to Kate and David Shrum! Kate and David both work at Goldfish, and they’re part of the talented team that helps to keep Goldfish “afloat” and thriving in our community. Meet Kate and David!
My Role at Goldfish Swim School:
Kate: General Manager
David: Director of Safety
About Me:
Kate: I am from Grove City, OH and have lived there all my life. I have my Bachelor’s degree from Otterbein University in Vocal Performance. I have worked in aquatics since 2007 and have been training lifeguards since 2009! I started with Goldfish Swim School Dublin in 2014 and was promoted to General Manager in 2015! We have a 1-year old daughter, Lydia and two pet rabbits, Luna and Smidge!
David: I joined the Goldfish Team as the Director of Safety in March of 2016. My background is in the medical field. I have been a Medic since 2011 and became a RN in 2015. Kate and I are married, and we have an incredibly happy 1-year-old daughter, named Lydia.
My Favorite Thing about being a part of the Goldfish Team:
Kate: Being part of the Goldfish Team is like being part of a giant family. The leadership team genuinely cares about every staff member and do a fantastic job cultivating a family-like atmosphere.
David: The entire staff from teachers to owners are extremely caring. They are willing to drop whatever they are doing to help one another. I truly believe this selfless environment leads to the relationships that are built between staff and students/families.
Your daughter is now taking lessons at Goldfish Swim School. What’s that like?
Kate: It’s really fun to have an activity to do with her year-round! It’s a great bonding experience for us and some nice one-on-one time with her since we both work full time. We practice at home in the bathtub and that has helped her a lot in the lessons. She has gotten a lot better at catching her bubble and going underwater!
David: It is extremely encouraging to know that the mini classes are getting her started on the path to water safety. From the songs to games, everything in the mini class has either a safety component or is a foundational building block to her learning to swim. The fact that she is learning these skills in a fun, friendly, and familiar environment is really exciting.
Favorite Memories:
Kate: Some of my favorite memories are from the Mini 1 class I taught on Wednesdays when I first started teaching at Goldfish. Some of the families really opened up to me about their lives and it connected me to Goldfish in a completely different way. It makes you become so invested in their child’s progress and their personal stories. Being allowed to watch their kids grow up, walk with the parents through difficult times and to just be that positive part of their week is an amazingly rewarding experience.
David: My favorite memories come from working with the staff. It is really encouraging to see our adults and high schoolers have a passion for their job. I remember a conversation I had with a staff member I was working with during one of my Safety Audits. She told me she had taped some of the training material up on her bedroom wall and frequently looked at it so she would stay sharp on her skills.
My Passion:
Kate: My passion is working with kids and actively making a difference in their lives. It’s so easy to get caught up in the everyday stresses of life but every time I get back in the pool it reminds me why we do what we do, and why I love my job. Just knowing we could potentially save a life with what we’re teaching them is something I’m truly passionate about.
David: I really am passionate about teaching life skills to the staff. We have seen our staff use the skills learned in the lifeguard classes, and our training that we have throughout the month, in their day-to-day lives.
Favorite thing about Dublin:
Kate: My favorite thing about Dublin is Nothing Bundt Cakes! My favorite cake is the white chocolate raspberry!!
David: The new Bridge Street project – all the cool restaurants and Pins Mechanical – so fun for families!
Cute story about a Swimmer:
Kate: Every time one of my old students recognizes me and says “Hi, Miss Kate!” it just melts my heart. The fact they remember me AND remember my name astounds me every time. It’s such a good feeling to know I had an impact on their lives, and they still get excited to see me!
David: Every week we have the same kids who are very enthusiastic about getting the opportunity to pose with our Goldfish photo board. The photo board is set up every day. Week after week they still come running in, hopping behind the board, begging their parents to take a picture of them as a turtle.
For more information about Goldfish Swim School Dublin, please call 614-407-3474 or visit https://dublin.goldfishswimschool.com
