Kareem was born in Queens and he spent his summers at Rockaway beach soaking in the sun while his mom worked as a Lifeguard. As a kid, he kept the times and scores at swim meets for the high school team his mom coached. Often practicing with the high school swim team as a kid, Kareem learned to test and challenge his limits, in and out of the pool. Swimming made him an all-around better athlete as he played football at Bayside High School and recalls having more stamina than other players; it was the mental toughness he discovered in the water that helped him push past any challenge. Kareem also swam competitively for Bayside and was ranked number three in the city in 2007 for the 100-yard breaststroke. He has over ten years of teaching experience and is excited to bring his passion for swimming to Imagine.