Tell us a little bit about your role and what you do at the J.
I joined the Mayerson JCC team in 2022 as Swim Lesson Coordinator. I am also a lifeguard supervisor and swim instructor, teaching lessons whenever I can! I strive to help our team deliver great classes that cater to every student enrolled in the Swim School at the J.
Can you tell us a little about how you got into teaching swim lessons, how long have you been teaching, and what motivates you to continue doing so?
I am the oldest of five siblings and have always loved taking care of younger children. In my teen years, I babysat quite a bit and had a sister born who I cared for regularly. I also became a lifeguard right before turning 16, so teaching swim lessons was something that always piqued my interest, since it combines swimming and water safety with child development. It was not until I started at the JCC that I was able to fully pursue teaching. I love being an instructor because I get to work with children and see them develop lifesaving skills that they can also use to have fun!
Can you tell us more about swim lessons at the JCC and why they are important to the community?
Our swim lesson program works to ensure that children begin developing their comfort and ability from as young as 12 months old in our Parent/Toddler classes and continue to learn basic swimming and strokes all the way through our Swim Team Clinic, where they become swim team ready! We use a child-centered, progressive approach to make skills simple and enjoyable for kids to master! Swim lessons provide safety skills, recreation, and new opportunities for those enrolled.
In addition to children’s classes, we have recently added Adult Swim Lessons. These classes help meet a need for adults in the community who never had the opportunity to learn as children and want to feel safe and enjoy water fitness and activities.
Do you have a memorable moment or success story from a student at the JCC that really stands out to you?
Just last week I was teaching one of our group classes, and one of my students put his face in the water himself for the first time! I was extremely excited! Then he asked if he could do it again. I was pleasantly surprised and responded, “Absolutely!” This is his second session with us, and I’m sure that with continued lessons, he will take off and eventually be swimming on his own.
What excites you most about coming to work each day?
I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives, from providing them with an excellent experience at the pool, to finding new ways to improve our programs. This work has also given me countless opportunities for personal and professional growth.
What advice would you give to parents whose children are just starting swim lessons?
Patience and consistency are two very important things when it comes to a child who is just beginning their swim journey. Learning to swim requires muscle and brain development which can take a while, and many new swimmers have fears. Swim lessons are extremely important, even if a child is resistant at first. According to the CDC, more children between the ages of 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death. Do not be afraid to make swim lessons a requirement for your children. Exposure to the water in a positive way such as through family swimming, lessons, and water play will help your child overcome their fears.
What’s your favorite swimming stroke and why?
My favorite swim stroke is Freestyle because it is both beautiful and practical when performed correctly.
Anything else you would like to add?
It is important to remember that young children must be supervised 100% of the time around water, regardless of their swimming ability. Even as a competent adult swimmer, one should never swim alone. Swim lessons are one of the layers of protection against drowning.
