Meet Our Team

At Aqua Smiles, our team is the heart of everything we do. You can truly feel the difference the moment you step on deck. The energy, connection, and care each team member brings into the water every day is what makes our program so special. We love what we do, and it shows in the way we support our swimmers, celebrate their progress, and create a safe, welcoming environment for every family.

Building confident swimmers through trust, connection, and safety.

Amy Bucca is the founder and owner of Aqua Smiles Swim School, where she has built a program centered around safety, confidence, and connection in the water. With over 20 years of experience, she helps swimmers of all ages and abilities learn life-saving skills in a supportive, personalized environment.

Amy is especially passionate about adaptive and inclusive swim instruction, meeting each swimmer where they are both physically and emotionally. She has a unique ability to meet each swimmer exactly where they are, adapting her approach in the moment to build trust and confidence. She is especially skilled at working through fear and past traumatic water experiences, helping swimmers reset, rebuild, and find success in the water.

Outside of the pool, Amy is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and volunteers monthly at LifeTown with their adult group in the water. She loves spending time with her wife, kids, and two grandkids, and works hard every day with them in mind.

Her mission is simple: saving lives, one swimmer at a time.

Fun, connection, and heart in every lesson.

Brian’s journey with Aqua Smiles started in the most unexpected way. Amy simply told him to come watch the magic. He began as a Water Watcher and lifeguard, but it did not take long before something clicked. Once he got into the water, his natural gift for teaching and connecting with swimmers quickly came to life.

Brian brings a fun, playful energy to every lesson, making swimmers feel comfortable, confident, and excited to learn. He has a special passion for working with swimmers with special needs and a unique ability to connect with each child in a way that feels natural and genuine.

At his core, Brian is a family man, whether by blood or by bond. He shows up for his swimmers and their families with loyalty, heart, and a presence that lets you know he always has your back. Outside of the pool, he loves sports and plays in a basketball league.

Where patience, structure, and fun come together

When Amy started Aqua Smiles in 2019 and was ready to hire her first employee, Brittany was the very first call. Eight months pregnant at the time, she showed up the next day and has been a part of Aqua Smiles ever since.

Amy first met Brittany over 15 years ago and trained her from the beginning, helping shape the foundation of the program you see today. Brittany has played a huge role in building Aqua Smiles, with her heart, dedication, and hard work woven into every lesson.

Brittany has a special gift for connecting with swimmers who need a little extra understanding. The energetic, outside the box kids thrive with her patience, humor, and steady guidance. She seamlessly balances different skill levels while keeping classes fun, structured, and meaningful.

She celebrates the small wins, communicates closely with families, and creates a space where every swimmer feels seen and supported. Outside of the pool, Brittany is a proud mom to her daughter Dillon, leads her Girl Scout Daisy troop, and loves crafts and sewing.

Keeping everything and everyone moving.

Ashleigh has been a part of Aqua Smiles since the very beginning, originally offering to help with emails and quickly becoming an essential part of the program.

A graduate of The College of New Jersey and a teacher by background, Ashleigh brings both heart and organization to everything she does. Her loyalty runs deep and she has connected countless families to Aqua Smiles, creating a true sense of community where connections seem endless.

As the scheduling coordinator, Ashleigh is the backbone of Aqua Smiles. Her organization and efficiency keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, often anticipating needs before they arise. Whether she is answering emails in the school pickup line or late at night, she is always showing up for the families and the team.

She is also the inspiration behind the name Aqua Smiles. After seeing an underwater photo of her son Robbie as a baby, she said, “I had no idea he was so happy under there,” and just like that, Aqua Smiles was born.

In addition to her work with Aqua Smiles, Ashleigh volunteers at her children’s school, substitute teaches, and is a dedicated mom. Her family’s favorite place to vacation is Disney. She is also a certified lifeguard, stepping in whenever she is needed most.

Playful, gentle, and trusted by every swimmer.

Lindsey has been with Aqua Smiles for two years, starting out as a lifeguard and growing into an incredible swim teacher. Her confidence, skill, and connection with swimmers have developed naturally, making her a strong and trusted part of the team.

Being a Kinnelon local, Lindsey knows many of the families who come through the program. She attends Kinnelon High School and student teaches at the local elementary school, bringing her love of working with children into both the classroom and the pool.

Lindsey has a playful, silly energy that kids love, but also a calm, gentle presence that makes her especially great with more timid swimmers. She meets each child where they are, helping them feel comfortable while building real skills and confidence in the water.

Lindsey is continuing her education at The College of New Jersey, where she was accepted into the music program. She plays multiple instruments and is pursuing her goal of becoming a music teacher.

Strong fundamentals built with care and precision.

Justin has been with Aqua Smiles for three years and first joined the program as a parent. His son Nolan has been swimming with Aqua Smiles since he was just six months old and is now building his skills, including learning backstroke.

Justin is a physical education teacher in Paterson and brings his knowledge of the body and movement into every lesson. He has a natural ability to fine tune skills and help swimmers make meaningful progress through small, intentional adjustments.

He also coaches baseball in the spring and enjoys spending time with his wife, Emily, and their son Nolan. Outside of the pool, Justin plays bass guitar in a band and enjoys making music.

Creativity, heart, and support behind the scenes.

Samantha has been connected to Aqua Smiles since its inception and has always shared the same passion and belief in the program as her mom, Amy. As a nurse and mom of two, she brings a natural sense of care, compassion, and understanding to everything she does.

She began teaching alongside Amy as a teenager, building a strong foundation in the Aqua Smiles approach. While it is not always possible for her to be in the water consistently, she has always wanted to find ways to contribute her time and talents to a program she believes in so deeply.

Behind the scenes, Samantha plays a meaningful role in helping Aqua Smiles grow. From creating social media content and designing flyers to brainstorming ideas and fundraisers, she is always finding ways to support and stay connected.

At her core, Samantha is all about family, both at home and within the Aqua Smiles community, and her presence is felt in more ways than one.