For Jaela, the water has always been a place of growth and community. She first dove into the sport at age eight at the Hansborough Recreation Center in Harlem, eventually taking her talents to the competitive lanes of the George Washington Educational Campus. As a standout for the Trojans throughout high school, Jaela developed a deep technical foundation that she now brings to the waters of Imagine. With a background in Health Sciences from New York City College, she views swimming as a vital, life-altering skill. Jaela transitioned from lifeguarding to teaching after witnessing the wonder children find in the water. When she's not poolside, you might find her cooking, practicing the violin, or mastering the delicate art of origami.