At the completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Identify the requirements and responsibilities of a program coordinator and swim instructor.
Discuss the role of parents in the JES Program and how to interact with parents.
Key Points:
Program Coordinator Requirements
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Possess a valid CPR and First Aid certification issued by a nationally recognized service provider.
Demonstrate maturity and willingness to accept responsibility for the facility's swim program.
Be able to physically demonstrate a 25 (yards or meters) of each of the following strokes:
Front Crawl (Freestyle)
Backstroke
Sidestroke
Breaststroke
Elementary Backstroke
Butterfly
Safety and Administrative Responsibilities of the Program Coordinator:
Provide oversight for all swim lessons taught at the facility.
Maintain safety for all swim lesson participants.
Ensure that JES procedures are adhered to during swim lessons.
Ensure an appropriate lifeguard(s) is/are present for the safety of participants and instructors during swim lessons.
Review with swim instructors the specific facility policies, procedures, and expectations for conducting swim lessons.
Ensure that all JES Instructors maintain a valid CPR and First Aid credential issued by a nationally recognized training organization.
Verify that the facility hosting swim lessons has CPR and First Aid equipment required for lifeguards (in accordance with their lifeguard training) readily available in the event of an emergency.
Ensure that all swim lessons are taught by authorized JES Instructors
Ensure that class sizes do not exceed the ratio of 1 instructor per 10 participants. The Water Exploration and Safety level requires one adult to be in the water with each child. Younger, less experienced children such as those completing the Beginner level can benefit from working in smaller groups (e.g. ratio of 1:6).
Provide adequate supervision of participants attending swimming lessons including deck, showers, and locker room areas.
Be physically present at the pool during swim lessons.
Interact with parents to answer their questions and so they are not interrupting class and trying to speak with swim instructors during lessons.
Communicate the JES program philosophy and objectives to parents in advance of any swimming lessons. This could be accomplished through a letter and FAQs, or a brief informational meeting.
Oversee issuance of any parent surveys, progress reports, and skill cards. At the end of each session every child should receive a skill card from their instructor indicating if the level has been passed or if it needs to be repeated.
Teaching Responsibilities of the Program Coordinator:
Train new JES swim instructor candidates, and monitor the teaching ability of current swim instructors, providing appropriate feedback and remediation as necessary.
Motivate swim instructor candidates to learn the skills and gain the knowledge to become successful swim instructors.
Provide credentials to swim instructor candidates who complete all aspects of the swim instructor course.
Swim Instructor Requirements and Responsibilities
Candidates must be 15 years of age or older at the time of enrollment to any JES Swim Instructor class.
Candidates must be able to perform and properly demonstrate all strokes (25 yards or meters each stroke) and skills included in the course level for which they seek teaching authorization.
Instructors must be mature, sincerely enjoy teaching, and be comfortable in the company of children.
Convey a professional demeanor that is both caring and calming to children.
Possess personal motivational skills that positively encourage children to explore and learn.
Exhibit maturity deemed appropriate to serve as a positive role model for children.
Maintain safety for all swim lesson participants.
Interact with parents to answer their questions following lessons.
Possess a current CPR and First Aid credential issued by a nationally recognized service provider.
Interacting with Parents
Program coordinators (preferably with swim instructors present) are encouraged to conduct a brief informational meeting with parents prior to the start of swimming classes to convey the program philosophy and objectives.
Use this meeting to discuss ways parents can help their children safely practice skills outside of the lesson and to provide advice on positive parental behavior when observing their children in a swim lesson.
Parents can play an important role in the overall process of teaching swimming to their children.
JES encourages parents to observe and support their children during all swim lessons.
Properly educated parents provide a positive influence that enhances learning and accelerates success.
A successful swimming program is largely dependent upon communication that helps to establish a welcomed partnership between the program coordinator, swim instructor, student, and parent.
