Meet My Team

God has blessed me with my wonderful husband, James, of 23 years, four beautiful girls and now our precious boy!  I consider raising them my highest calling on this earth.   My children have grown up around the pool and lessons all their lives.  They have gathered toys, passed out kick boards and “watched the wall” since they were toddlers.  My oldest two girls, Madelyn and Macy are official instructors and my younger two, Melody and Mallory are already instructor aides… Malachi still thinks its playtime but his teaching time will come! 

Having taught lessons now for over 20 years, I have taught thousands of children how to swim! I am just as excited about this summer as I was in the beginning. There is something special about taking a child who is crying, or too terrified to get in the water and after a few short lessons they are swimming!  It is an amazing privilege to gain the trust of children and adults and teach them to swim!    

I am excited about teaching your children this summer and I am just as excited about My Team.  I believe in sovereignty and I believe God has provided me with the highest caliber of instructors.  Most of my instructors have been with me their whole lives.  I trust them completely with my 5 children or I would not have them in the water with yours!

Abby

Abby

Hi, my name is Abby Adkisson, and I am so glad you are here! I was born and raised in Hallsville, and was fortunate enough to be enrolled in lessons with Gina at the age of 3. I took lessons from Gina every summer growing up, and eventually started as an instructor aid, and then a senior instructor before leaving for college. Whether you or your child is 3 or 93- these lessons provide so much more than just swimming. We teach water safety skills that can be used for a lifetime, and promote confidence in our swimmers both in and out of the pool. I earned my Bachelor's degree in General Business from Lamar University and am now finishing my MBA. As I entered into the "real world" out of college and began developing my career, I realized that my true passion is helping others. I am absolutely thrilled to have changed my path towards finding ways to serve others. Swim with Gina has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact through providing essential water safety skills in swim lessons, and through our non-profit, Friends of Swim with Gina. Working with Gina for the past 10 years has been so fulfilling, and I look forward to each new summer in the water. Outside of swimming, I spend my time as a Realtor working with clients to buy and sell their homes, or just hanging out with my Goldendoodle, Cash. So whether we are talking houses, or swimming, I am looking forward to meeting you!
Chloey

Chloey

Hi, my name is Chloey Story. I am currently attending UT Tyler. I took swim lessons from Gina starting when I was 3 years old till I was 12 and in 2015 Gina allowed me to start helping teach swim lessons with her. Teaching swim lessons is an amazing opportunity that has taught me responsibility and patience. Watching the kids learn to love the water and learn to swim is amazing. Teaching the kids allows me to grow close and form a bond with them that makes them more comfortable in the water. I love seeing the kids start to love swimming as much as I do. Learning to swim is difficult, but watching a child go from not wanting to let go of your hands to swimming halfway across the pool is a miracle I love to be a part of. I'm so grateful to Gina for giving me this amazing opportunity to teach children how to swim.
Payton

Payton

Hello my name is Payton McVey. I’m 21 from Hallsville Texas but relocated to Tyler for school where I graduated from UT Tyler. I now work at Christus Trinity Mother Frances on 5 Dawson where I take care of newly born babies and postpartum moms. I met Gina when I was about 16 through my sister who taught swim lessons for her. I came to help out one day and instantly fell in love teaching swim lessons and my passion continues to grow year after year. I love the thought of knowing lives are being saved each time we step into the pool with any individual or group lesson. Although I work at Christus now swim lessons will never be something I can step away from. I will always make room in my schedule. Hope to see you soon in a pool learning water safety and all the fun that comes with being able to swim.
Zack

Zack

Hi my name is Zack Baldwin and I have been swimming with Ms. Gina since I was 7 years old. Currently, I attend the University of A&M in Texarkana and work with a local non-partisan political group. I have enjoyed working as a lifeguard and teaching swim lessons for the past several years. I specialize in teaching private lessons with our teen boys as well as our adult males who come to us wanting to learn to swim, train for triathlons, enter the navy or just want to brush up on their strokes. I also work closely with our non-profit Friends of Swim with Gina where we give swim scholarships to children and adults to learn to swim at no cost to their families. It has been my pleasure to work alongside of Ms. Gina for several years and to a part of an amazing team helping kids and adults all over East Texas.
Madelyn

Madelyn

Hi, my name is Madelyn Hester and I am Mrs. Gina’s oldest daughter. I have been swimming just about my whole life. I started teaching at the age of 12 as an instructor aide and got my lifeguard certification last year. I really enjoy watching kids learn to overcome their fears and learn to love swimming. I know for a fact that you will have a remarkable experience with Swim with Gina and can't wait to see you this summer!
Macy

Macy

My name is Macy Hester and I am Mrs. Gina’s second daughter. I have always loved the water and have been swimming since before I was three. I started swimming competitively when I was six years old and have been teaching with my mom practically my whole life. I love teaching kids how to swim and develop their love for the water. I also teach our older teen girls as well as our adult females that come our way, whether they want to train for the Navy, participate in a trialtholon or just learn to swim we help them meet their goals. It is an amazing feeling to watch children and adults overcome their fears and become comfortable in the water. I have benefited in countless ways from working with my mom and have had so much fun. I can guarantee a wonderful experience with Swim with Gina, and I am super excited to get to work with you or your children!

Kaylee

Kaylee

My name is Kaylee Dorough and I am currently a senior at Marshall High School. I volunteered at Swim With Gina in 2017 and have been instructing swim lessons ever since! I love how friendly the team is and most of all, I love teaching the kids and watching them grow. Mrs. Gina has made me a more positive and professional person. I enjoy everything I do for her whether it be teaching someone how to swim or babysitting her kids. I am so proud to be a part of her team!
Melody

Melody

Hi, my name is Melody and I am Mrs. Gina's third daughter. I have been swimming since I was 3 and competittvely since I was 5. I have been working with my mom as an instructor aide for the last two years and have enjoyed every part. I can not wait to teach your children and help them overcome their fears.