Meet Our Team
We wouldn't be able to do this without any of you!
Ashley Voelker, Manager / Swim Instructor
Hey y'all, I'm Ashley!
I am so excited to have the privilege to teach your awesome kiddos to float and swim. I am the proud mom of a spectacular little girl who is a Haley's Little Fish graduate! I will be the first to tell you that I was apprehensive when we enrolled because she was already 2, but Haley C and Haley M were both so sweet and patient with my little girl. I was amazed at what she could do at 2 years old in just a few weeks! I learned that it was a process but one that was well worth it. Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children under the age of 5, and I am so proud to be a part of an organization that wants to change that statistic! I can't wait to get to know you and your kiddos and do everything that I can to make sure that they are safe in the water!
Katelyn Abernathy, Swim Instructor
Hey, I’m Katelyn!
My passion for teaching swim lessons came shortly after watching my daughter learn how to float at 8 months old. Like most of our parents, I began in mommy and me lessons and was amazed at how much the babies could learn at such a young age. After finishing the mommy and me classes, I began training with Haley Craig. In this training, I learned how vital and life-saving these skills are to children. I have worked with children of all ages and skill levels. I truly enjoy helping children overcome their fears, challenge themselves, and reach their goals. Watching children who were once scared to be in the water; now smile and love the water is why I love my job.
Montana Williams, OTR/L, Swim Instructor/Certified Swim Whisperer®
Hi! My name is Montana Williams.
I was born and raised in Citronelle, Alabama, and I have been a resident of Daphne for the past 10 years. I am married, and I have two little girls. I have the joy of being a pediatric Occupational Therapist, and I have 10+ years experience providing services to children, and families, with special needs. I currently work as needed as an OT at Let’s Play Therapy Center in Spanish Fort. Recently, I received my Swim Angelfish® Swim Whisperers® adaptive swim instructor certification. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to merge two of my passions together; all ability kids and water safety. God has abundantly blessed me with my skills, love for children, patience, and desire to help all children succeed, no matter their circumstances. My passion for water safety began five years ago at HLF when I first placed my child in Haley’s hands for survival swimming. Since that point, both of my girls have been through swim school, and they are little fishies. Water safety is imperative in our community, and every child deserves the opportunity to safely interact with the water. Furthermore, every parent should have reassurance that if their child found themselves in a water situation, that they would survive. Research shows that 90% of pediatric deaths within the Autism Spectrum population occur from accidental water incidents. This number is staggering. My hope is to bring that number down in our area by providing water survival instruction to all of my little friends with special needs. These needs may include sensory needs, behavioral difficulties, musculoskeletal deformities, genetic anomalies, developmental delay, anxiety, etc. I will meet your child where they are, and provide adaptations/ modifications in order to help your child retain, and use, swim instruction. No two kids are alike, and no two lessons will be identical. I will use a variety of strategies from environmental modifications, sensory regulation techniques, therapeutic use of self, visual and auditory processing interventions, and physical equipment as needed to ensure success and skill retention. Furthermore, I will accept all clients, with medical clearance, including children who have previously not been successful with swim lessons. I cannot promise a time frame for success, but I can promise you that I will work endlessly to ensure that your special little fishie is safe in the water. I will walk with you through the journey, and reassure you every step of the way. Remember, the process is long, but the journey is worth it. I cannot wait to meet you, and your gift of a child.
Mary Margaret Weeks, Swim Instructor + Swim Team Prep Coach
Hey y’all, I’m Mary Margaret (MM)!
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Mississippi and recently moved to Daphne in 2022 to get my Masters in marine conservation at USA. Ever since I can remember I have always been drawn to the water and love to swim. I swam competitively with Delta Aquatics Club as well as my high school starting in the 8th grade. Before moving, I taught swimming lessons for four years and fell in love with the joy you get from seeing the progress and completion of such an important tool. My favorite part of lessons is seeing how happy swimming makes not only the swimmer but also the families! I am beyond excited to teach everything from life saving skills, to advanced strokes, to our newest program “swim team prep” I cannot wait to meet and welcome new families to our swim program and look forward to working with your little fish!