Meet the Coaches
Ashley GleasonI started swimming when I was three. My uncle was part of the special recreation program at the park district and they swam at Bogan High school Every week. I got the pleasure of learning how to swim with them. I swam competitively for Curie High School from 1998-2002. Most recently I swam on the Masters team at Eisenhower.
I have had a unique pleasure of watching the team flourish from the sidelines for the last 5 seasons, as a parent. I am also a passionate 3rd grade teacher. I believe all these qualities will make me a great coach for the team and I'm so excited to be stepping to the other side of the rail. |
Taylor BurmeisterI joined the E.A.S.C. when I was 8 years old, and haven't stopped swimming since. I started coaching for E.A.S.C. as a Junior Coach while I was a swimmer for Eisenhower High School. After graduating from D.D.E. in 2010, I went to Wittenberg University, where I majored in English. I swam all four years at Witt, swimming butterfly and distance freestyle, and was Captain my senior year.
After graduating in 2014, I accepted the position as D.D.E. Boy's Team Assistant Coach, and was excited for the opportunity to restart my former club team. I have since been promoted to Head Coach at Eisenhower. |
Jane HealyI was always playing in the local pool as a kid because I loved being in the water (I was a *fish*). Even though I took swim lessons, I didn’t join a team until I got to high school. I tried out on a whim because my best friend did. Surprise, I made the team! It was a life changer. Four years later I ended up holding a conference record for backstroke and competed in the State swim meet in the 100 back and 4 x100 Free Relay.
I coached in Connecticut right after college for 3 years. When I returned to Illinois, I was head coach at Mother McAuley High School while I was teaching there in the early 90s. I taught and coached (both boys and girls) at Bremen High School for the next 7 years until I decided to stay at home to raise my kids. Later I coached for E.A.S.C. for 3 years. And here I am, back again! I look forward to working with your children this coming swim season. I am exceedingly proud of the progress that they make to become better athletes. I also run the Blue Island Bicycle Club, a community orientated bike club for kids. |
Jeannette ValdezMy swimming career began at the age of thirteen, my passion for teaching and coaching swimming to young swimmers began my freshman year of high school. After high school, I started to coach with swim clubs and taught lessons at the Blue Island Park District every year. I made my way to coaching with E.A.S.C. for the Fall/Winter season and cannot wait to continue my coaching career with the Sea Demons.
Being a part of the E.A.S.C. Sea Demons coaching staff is very rewarding in many ways. They always go above and beyond for any swimmer and swim parent. |
Alan Melgar |
Jenna Lynch |
