Teaching Children Swimming: Passion and Care By: Lizzie Franks

By Lizzie Franks

As my hands left the side of this once scared 4-year-old, they swam halfway across the length of the pool. When they entered my class 5 months ago, they wouldn’t leave my side; they cried at the sight of independence. But with my passion and intelligence, they successfully learned how to swim. Becoming a swim instructor was the best decision of my life.

Since I was a little girl, I always “knew” what I wanted to do, even though it changed daily. I wanted to be everything from a teacher, doctor, or lawyer. They were all very different occupations, but there was one common denominator: they all involved helping others. A big part of my daily life has been taking time to help others, whether it's holding the door for someone, smiling at someone, asking how someone’s doing, or just being someone to listen.

The summer after I turned 15, I started applying for jobs, and a lifeguard position was suggested to me. I started to apply, but I never heard back, so I continued applying to other companies until I got an interview and got the job. I completed the many hours of training and life guarded for a summer. After the season came to an end, I didn't know where I would work. I found my next job listed as a lifeguard role at an indoor swim school. I got an interview, and they loved me! They asked if I would be interested in a coaching position. At first, I was hesitant because I never learned how to swim the four strokes. They assured me that they would train me and wouldn’t put me into the role until I was 100% ready. I was in training for over a month.

I started with younger kids, working on teaching the basics. Gradually, I increased my knowledge and began working with more advanced classes. There are many responsibilities for this job, most of which were not mentioned beforehand. I am responsible for the kids I teach: their safety, enjoyment, how much they learn, noticing if they feel sick, if they're acting differently, if I need to push them more, how many times I do each skill, spending a certain amount of time on each skill, keeping constant eyes on the kids, and taking note of anything I need to add to their skills tracking.

My work mainly involves group lessons. For younger kids, we have four children per class; as the classes become more advanced, the number of students increases. This is not an easy job—my patience is constantly tested. You must put yourself in their shoes and understand why they might feel scared. We (the coaches or family) can touch the bottom of the pool; most kids cannot, so their fear is valid.

Insight is a critical part of my job. Kids cannot communicate like teenagers and adults; they struggle to express how they feel. Part of my job is to understand how they feel and know what they need. This does not come easily; it takes time. But with experience, I have learned to apply this understanding to every child that enters my classes.

My communication style is also very important. You can’t speak to kids the way you speak to adults. You must be able to switch between talking to parents, coworkers, and kids. Learning age-appropriate communication is vital to a successful class. Most importantly, having fun is essential—being able to loosen up, laugh, make yourself look silly, and crack jokes helps create a smooth class.

My job has never been easy; I am constantly faced with changes—new students, absences, crying days, balancing time between kids, ensuring safety, and knowing each student’s individual needs. Despite the challenges, the rewards far outweigh them. The joy I feel while working, seeing a student make progress, building trust with students, watching them grow, and seeing them proud of themselves are invaluable.

One question I frequently get asked is: how do you find the time? The truth is, I made it. I typically don’t get home from school until 4, and to most people, that might seem too late to work, but it’s not. I get off the bus and head straight to work, starting my shift at 4:30 and usually leaving around 8. Those days filled with school and work are exhausting, but I don’t overwork myself. I work two weekdays and all day Saturday. The key is to know your limits and not overdo it.

Another common question is: how do I constantly have the energy and motivation to work such a challenging job? The answer is simple: I adore my job. It doesn’t matter how tiring one shift may be; I always look forward to coming back. Finding a job I love was essential to staying motivated.

When I started, I only expected to be lifeguarding, not interacting much or needing a lot of skills. My reality was completely different. I now teach three days a week, and I love it. If I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new, I would have never discovered a passion I hold so dearly.

This job is more than just a job; it has left a lasting impression on me. From teaching young kids how to blow bubbles to perfecting strokes with advanced techniques, each class brings new challenges and rewards. Coaching has taught me patience, understanding, empathy, communication, insight, and much more. Passions can be discovered through various experiences—take the chance! You might just find what you want to spend the rest of your life doing.