Children's Swim Lessons

I am 32 years old, originally from Chicago, IL. I have been
swimming since I was 3 years old having learned at the
YMCA. As a high school student I taught lessons to younger
children at the YMCA. While attending college in Florida, I
worked for the American Red Cross as a Health and Safety
Instructor. I taught CPR, First Aid, and Life Guarding. I also
worked as a swim instructor for the Port Orange YMCA in
Florida and as a lifeguard and coach at Swim Daytona. I was
given the opportunity to become certified as a Swim America
coach by the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA).
My certification came after over 100 hours of training and a
written exam. I am trained to coach all ages, including infant
survival starting at 6 months of age. I have worked with a
wide range of ages – my youngest students were 4 months
old and my oldest to date was 76. In 1997, I became certified
as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In 1999, I
moved to Arkansas to follow my would-be husband. I have a
Bachelor degree in Health Administration and currently work
for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
My husband David and I have 2 children, ages 5 and 6.

• Learning to swim is a critical life skill. It could save your
  life. It is also so much fun to be comfortable in the water
  and it opens doors to other enjoyable activities!

• Swim lessons, either in a group or private setting, should
  focus on safety first, then skills. And the skills should be
  taught using the proper technique from the very start.
   

• I do not teach from the deck, I am in the water for the
  entire lesson.
   

• Every student deserves dignity and respect regardless
  of age or skill level. I do not believe in dunking students
  or pushing them into the water against their will. I will
  always go underwater with my students until they feel
  safe doing it on their own.