Sarah Cunningham
Teacher/Backfloat Baby Trainer
Elmwood Park, IL
What is your favorite part of working for FOSS?
Improving water safety and swimming skills at every level.
What is your favorite FOSS story?
Every day, I look back at where I started and how far I’ve come at FOSS. I love to see when new teachers light up when I connect with them and teach them something new.
What is your personal favorite water activity?
I love to travel and snorkel. My favorite activity that I’ve done has been snorkeling in 32-degree water in Iceland in the crack between North America and Europe. I was literally touching North America and Europe at the same time.
Can you recount a student of yours who experienced a major “lightbulb” moment when you were with them?
I had a swimmer who was simply terrified of the water. We worked on building trust and putting our face in the water for weeks. One day, Henry came to class and said, “Miss Sarah, I would love to swim today.” He then tiger paddled from the steps to the island by himself and when he got there, I cried happy tears in the water!
