The Team
Michelle McKinney - Founder/Instructor
Hi! I'm Michelle McKinney and I'm not just the founder of ISR Austin, I'm an ISR parent! I've been married for eleven years and have four daughters (two bio and two bonus), who are all part mermaid. A water lover myself, I am a former competetive swimmer, NAUI divemaster, and ex-owner of a dive shop on an island in Belize, where I lived for five years. I have extensive experience working with children of all ages and abilities, including children with physical, developmental, and behavioral special needs. Prior to moving to Texas, I was an Animal-Assisted Therapist in the state of Colorado where I worked with my Boston Terriers, who are licensed therapy dogs, visiting children in hospital/hospice settings.
My daughters went through the ISR program when they were babies, and I was astounded by how quickly they learned aquatic survival skills and became independent in the water. Their instructor’s passion for preventing childhood drowning was evident and inspiring, and I knew immediately that I wanted to teach ISR’s self rescue program too. I cherish the opportunity to spread that same passion for saving lives to my community, and I’m honored to lead an amazing team of quality instructors offering this program throughout the Austin area.
Read more about Michelle in Voyage Austin Magazine!
Blaine DeGrange - Instructor
Hello! I’m Blaine DeGrange and I’m a Certified ISR Instructor, ISR parent, and ISR graduate. I went through the ISR program when I was a little over a year old, in 1990. My instructor was the founder of ISR, Dr. Harvey Barnett. Dr. Barnett taught both me and my sister, which saved her life when she later fell into a pool out of reach from my family. ISR instilled a lifelong love of the water, leading me to swim competitively and play water polo throughout high school.
My husband and I relocated to Austin in the summer of 2020, and our daughter was born that October. I always knew that I wanted to enroll my daughter in an ISR program and was so excited when I found ISR Austin. When she started her first session with Michelle, I knew I had to become an Instructor. After working for a decade in the tech industry, I felt an undeniable pull to make a career change and became a Certified ISR Instructor. I’ve recently had a baby boy, and we’re settling into life as a family of four! I feel so lucky to be a part of the ISR Austin team, and thrilled to serve the Austin community.
CERTIFIED AUTISM IN AQUATICS INSTRUCTOR MICHELLE MCKINNEY
CERTIFIED AUTISM IN AQUATICS INSTRUCTOR BLAINE DEGRANGE
Float Like A Boat
ISR Austin Founder, Michelle McKinney’s
new children’s book is a great way to get your child excited for what they're going to be
learning in lessons!
