I’m looking for people who know that teaching swimming is their “Life’s purpose”. Instructors who have years of teaching beginners and advanced swimmers. My ideal would be similar to my current independent contractors, parents and grandparents who have swimming in their blood, water people. Missjeanswimming instructors are independent contractors , They are paid top dollar in their field, more than any other swim school. I’m running my program more like a union. First year ,second year, third year ,fourth year . Top rate is a master instructors rate of $100 a hour, plus travel fee’s a good living. It’s the rate I pay myself. All instructors are paid the same rates. All fees paid go directly to the instructor. Students who have been in my program for 16 years. A mix of less experienced in teaching but long on love of the water and what’s their best use of time, for the next 5-10 years. Working in restaurants, fast food,retail,park and rec, bars , babysitting ,and nannying. These were jobs I held when I was 25, unmarried, living at home (on and off), kids around the corner.
I was a hard worker, a loyal employee, saved my pennies and had lots of fun. Every job I had taught me something I wanted to know how to do. Skill sets include front and back of the house experience. I remain friends with the many jobs I’ve held over the years. After 25 years of teaching swimming and lifeguarding, 4 kids raised, I created missjeanswimming for myself to be my own cheerleader and invest in myself and trust my method and mission statement would be something that was part of my core. Being paid well for doing a great job teaching my students to Love 2 swim 4 life.
I created a career for independent contractors that will be paid better than they ever thought was possible. Get raises every year and travel fees are included. Instructors work directly with the clients to set up schedules and create a relationship of trust that no one else will teach your student till they pass the swim team ready.
My client’s private homes also have many pool parties for their kids, so having their instructor also be their lifeguard is a bonus. In my experience , most weekend lessons hold pool parties when the swim lessons would normally happen. The lifeguard who knows their pool and has knowledge the swimmers limits. How many times will a lifeguard yell stop running when the lifeguard is also their coach.? That makes a recipe for a successful pool party.
Leading with positive language is my first step with students.
My own father encouraged me with such language, calling me “Jean, The Great” again and again during our “competitions.” This was his way of inspiring me to race to the car, the ski-lift, or to the end of the pool. My goal was always to impress my Dad (and maybe show off a bit, too.) His use of positive language also caused me to really feel proud of myself.
Seeking a parent’s approval is the goal of most children.
The first step to take ,teaching your kids how 2 love 2 swim 4 life, is owning their power.
Having your students have their own swim stuff. My students start in infant or parent tot class and stay with my program 3-4 years and then around 6 and 7 they join swim teams. My program is more like a frat. Meaning everyone goes thru water get poured on their head and they survived. So if you want your kids to be water safer pour water on their head till they go from afraid to loving it . Just make it fun. Always tell them it’s happening, I use the trigger words , 1,2,3,mmmmmmmm. Have goggles on them and have a toy on the over side works wonders.
A day in the life of a Miss Jean swimming lessons. Excuse video doesn’t follow the student but the conversation is adorable,with Miss Kaitlyne.
For this reason, I“ use lots of toys and equipment for success. When you have a high achieving child, it can be challenging, as it should be. After all, no one wants just anyone “walk’n over their kid!” But, as you know, when a child doesn’t want to do something, it may get tiring. I have students that when they say no thank you they don’t have to do it. Not in swimming lessons, When I tell my student they are getting water pour on their head ,it happens, even when you say “no thank you.” Then water get pour over their head 10 times a lesson, or until they say “Can I get my own hair wet first ? I say “please do” and hand them their swim cap. Another “no thank you” moment comes with the water on your head moment. Pick a swim cap the wear, or my favorite….. you have one already on when they get to practice.
They know 1,2,3,mmm
means water on your head,
but more important they know how to :
take a big breath,
close their mouth
and water over their heads and faces.
Once they learn that water is their friend. They want to be underwater the whole time. The best part about all of it . Life in water means : When you fall in water ,it’s better than falling on the ground. To understand floating is easy in water than trying to float in the air. Having something you throw underwater goes slower. It like the song said It a how new world. .
To find that world we need to teach ASAP how to jump in turn around and swim back.
Jumping in and swimming back, plus letting Miss Lyra know her mom with be back after going to the bathroom.
.How to kick on our back with scooping hands and kicking fish feet. They need to do this to the wall. They need to crabwalk around the pool and learn about the deep and shallow ends. They need to understand a lifeguard keeps you safe , be making everyone follows rules. When we past a lifeguard all students and parents know the position of the guard is enforce rules by using his whistle. I act out using the students name pretend they their running and the guard would blow their whistle “Tweet,tweet, Walk please .” Then we continue to crabwalk to the rules board ,if they have one. Read the rules. Most kids think a lifeguards only job to jumping and saving you when your drowning. That’s a tough job to sell to a 2 year old. First of all ,drowning and lifeguarding are sonamse. I once complained to parent saying “the lifeguarding at the pool was terrible”‘. The next time the student showed up he was afraid of the guard. It took weeks of introducing him over and over till they could be friends. The next time the student showed up he was afraid of the guard. It took weeks of introducing him over and over till they could be friends. Lesson learned for Miss Jean. Who’s learning method is 50% doing. I make mistakes like everyone does. My students know that making mistakes and trying again to the purpose of practice. Lots of parents are trained to clap / cheer for every accomplishment. I usually say “Hold all the applauds for the end of the show.” It slows down the learning happening when we stop to take a bow. But when a big progression happens like diving in the deep end or rolling on their back without help that when Miss Jean brings out the high five. At the end of most lessons ,students says “thank you Miss Jean” and I always say “Thank you for your hard work.”
The student becomes the master before your eyes.
Dad smiled when I was the strongest, fastest, bravest, but he never let me win. I had to earn it. In the same way, using a lot of racing or getting tagged with younger students. It makes the lesson more fun and structured at the same time. They enjoy being in competition with me… their teacher. I also talk to them about swim team, a possible competition in their future. Reverse psychology is fun at this age. The “you can’t get me game” in the pool is a great workout for the whole body. Any task big or small with your kids and doing everything 10 times. Chew your food ten times. Take 10 steps and stop over and over for fun. Bounce ten times and stop. The most common question “I get is how many more.” Which I say, “I thought you were counting” with a little smile for the parents. Once a student has done one of the skill sets 10 times for 10 minutes. We move to the next skill, So when a students says I just want to one backstroke, I say “fine, wall to wall counts as one backstroke,( in missjeanswimming), so we backstroke in a circle for 8 minutes. These are my life’s little joys. Think of it like bronco riders. Someone has to be the one that loves the animal enough to not get bucked off.
Using positive language about all the fun they will have in water, before they even put their faces in, works wonders. There are some competitive-by-nature children, for whom the will to improve and be stronger than everyone else will be all the motivation they need. There are other children that simply want to improve. Then of course, there are those children who fall in between these two types. No matter. When children focus on improving, there is no stopping them. This is my goal in class: to coach and guide each child to be their best, whatever that looks like.
And, actually, I do have swim therapy for some students who have extra fear or blocks since these students just need extra time. After decades of teaching, I have honed my methods to work with every type of student. These methods include only reinforcing good behavior, and the tried-and-true method that a student can get out of the pool when the 3 skill sets are finished. For a reward, a student can stay and play, but only, “if it’s ok with your parents.” I also use to rewards to reinforce a positive experience. They get a treat or pop cycle after earning points for completing the skill sets…..and to borrow a toy to bring home and talk to about the lesson. Every time they see that toy it reminds them of the lesson. Sleep with it under your pillow and you will have dreams about swimming.
These in my reward based classes they learn to swim and have fun. Kids do cry in my lessons, but I’m ok with that. I tell them to cry loader, so everyone can hear you. It’s likely the toughest part of the lesson for family members. It’s built into us to save someone crying, in this case breath deeply instead. Stopping a lesson because of crying slows the progress. Keeping students focused, like toddlers or special needs is a skill I have in spades.
Using positive language and creating a positive environment are two of the keys to success. It is these that provide the foundation to the trust built over the course of the lessons. I’m blessed to see the same students week after week, year after year. These relationships of trust are built when students are at a very young age. Many children haven’t yet been told what to do by someone besides their parents. They may think that if they cry or run away or throw a tantrum, they will not have to do something that they have never done before. This belief may lead to surprise “Miss Jean is in charge.” By the next lesson, we are best friends, I ask them how the sleepover was with the toy they took home. When anyone is talking about themselves they are happy. The student now know what going to happen “No surprises” . Consistency and practice create stability for the student and parents. With these children (who say the darndest things), I’ve heard it all. These funny conversations provide me with great joy. Asking a student” who their favorite parent is?”She said ” Daddy” of course . 2-4 year olds are honest to a fault. When they don’t want to do something they let you know. I always have a question or story, no room for crying. Little trick,talk or sing when crying is about to start.
So the first thing we work on is what is being taught and they need to use all their learning skills, hearing, watching and doing.
Explaining to a student they everyone learns in different ways helps them feel connected to the lessons. All life lessons are learned this way. Everyone is mix of all 3 ways, but there is always a best way. I’m personally 50% doing, 35% watching and 15% listening. When I teach, I show them ,tell them and let them do it by themselves. Some students will ask “how was that?” after every skill. “Keep going” is what i usually say, or “your last one is your best one”. Needing to be perfect is a tough road for both parent and child. Using language like “room for improvement” instead of “wrong” works better.
This may be why the first lesson may be the hardest.
This is when habits to “get out of something,” simply don’t work. However, by keeping the lesson positive and reminding them they can pick which skill they want to do first, students learn that I am on their team. They can ask for “a moment” or “wiggle time.” And, of course, I also give lots of breaks. But we always complete the skill sets. Earning points toward their reward.
“I joke with parents that their children will be working as instructors and lifeguards for me someday, so parents will get all the swim lesson money back when their child turns 16. “
In my own experience, my children were lifeguards and I took great pride in being able to point out to my students: “My son is the lifeguard working over there.” Lifeguarding, a first job of serving those in one’s own community, may lead people to become first responders, like doctors, police officers or firemen or firewomen. I have parents tell me they were swim instructors, camp counselors and lifeguards themselves. It is both in understanding this, and in the knowledge that a child that swims is a child that is safer around water. I consider myself very blessed that I teach children- and adults- to swim.
Steven R. Covey, famed author of “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” said it best:
“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” —Stephen R. Covey.
I love investing my time into swimmers and making them better. Investing time in new families and their young treasures is a honor. Bring new instructors and lifeguards to the industry thru mentoring and lifestyle role modeling is a sweet side effect. Being able to swim and calling yourself a swimmer are very different. Swimmers Love 2 swim 4 life. Living my best life with a swimming pool as an office. My dad always said “Love what you do and you never work a day in your life.”
I would say the first thing you need is a master swim instructor , like myself. At least 1,000 hours of teaching swimming to start. All master instructors have over 10,000 hours of teaching, hundreds of students of all ages and abilities. I think that parent/instructor bring something special in experience with different personalities. I know for myself a mother of 4 kids in 5 years 2 with special needs, I feel completely prepared for my new swimmers.
With my list of favorite things , it could be the wetsuit and googles. It could be the toys and floating island. I will encourage kids to feel their emotions, even if it’s crying or fear.
The goal is to be strict, but funny. asking rhetorical questions needs to be avoided. The goal is for everyone to succeed, using positive language and visualization. Reward good behavior, with treats or little toys when they are earned. The lessons skill sets need to be finished, but they always are. Be the task master of 3 sets of 10.
My favorite treat are P.B. Assist jr. It a kids probiotic, from doterra essential oils, kids tend to drink water so it’s a win-win for their stomach and getting the whole lesson done. I’m a advocate for holistic wellness with doterra and can answer any questions you may have about their products for kids.
The second thing the helps with success of the lessons is the tools I use.
Treasure and Marsh mellow sticks
Marshmellow sticks are a great balance to a new swimmer, different from a kick board which has little floatation to a new swimmer. Kickboards benefit a stronger cord swimmer to work on their streamline. Using fins for all ages is a must. Fins build muscle and provide a stream line position for all ability of swimmer. Hint don’t let your kids wear them outside the pool it will break them and causes kids to fall. With changing weather I encourage sunsuit or lite wetsuits for swimmer that will be in the water/sun regularly. They also provide more support for streamline flotation, keep the kids warm, protected from the sun. Goggles and swim caps are the most important things everyone needs to get the most out of a swimming lesson. It doesn’t matter whether it has a nose piece, like a snorkel mask.
They are treated like library books. Each student borrows the toy , take it in the bathtub and sleeps with it under their pillow, then have dreams about swimming. Then they bring it back, I’ll ask the toy if they had fun taking a bath and having a sleepover?
Looking forward to working with you and your family,
When teaching new students I alway’s lead with positive language. The moments of youth I remember clearly was competition with my Dad. He called me Jean The great, over and over. It was his way to inspire me to race to the car, the chairlift ,or the end of the pool. The goal was to win/impress Dad and show off. It also helped me really feel proud of myself. Seeking a parents approval, is most kids goal. I use lots of toys and equiptment for success. When you have a high achiever child, it can be challenging, as it should be no one walk’n over your kid! But when they don’t want to do something you know it. Tiring doesn’t even describe it. Does your sweet angel look like these brothers?
Dad’s smiled when I was the strongest, fastest, bravest even rebellious. He never let me win, I had to earn it. One of my best tips is if your kid doesn’t sit still, I can work with that.I only ask questions that I know I’m going to get “yes” as the answer. I’m working with the caveman brain, save yourself , skillsets. I do a lot of racing with younger kids. It makes the lesson more fun and structured at the same time. They’re in competition with me… their teacher, someone 2 x 3 times their height, weight, and experiences in racing. I’m always talking about swim team in their future. Using a positive mindset of talking about all the fun they will have in water, before they even put their faces in, works wonders.They rise to the top, on their willpower to improve and be stronger than everyone else. When they focus on training and winning, there is no stopping them. This is my goal in class to coach and guide each child to be their best.
My lessons sometimes sound like therapy, and I do have swim therapy for some students who have extra fear or blocks that need a warm up point before the lesson starts. Some kids need more time. This is not all kids, this is probably 50% with DNA<parenting. But 20% no matter their situation, they are braver, stronger, more rebellious, or shy, scared and fearful. Basically everyone is different, and we have control of very little. I help kids be aware of the things they do have control of, making a plan before they start running for the pool.
As a master swim instructor ,I’m a tough cookie, no rhetorical questions, “crying is healthy”, and practice is super fun. When a kid is losing his or her mind, I’ll change the subject’What are you having for lunch or dinner?, is one of my favorites. I really do talk to everyone as If I’m their mother, sister, grandmother. But either way, I’m saying the same thing, which is I only reinforce good behavior, and you can get out when the 3 skill sets are finished. As a reward you can stay and play, if it’s ok with your parents. Keeping toddlers on point is a skill I have in spades. After teaching swimming for 30+ years, I have heard it all. These funny conversations , provide me with great joy. Kids say what on their minds at this age. Here are a couple of my favorite student video’s. They’re working on various skills and all beginner lessons.
Creating a positive environment and mindset are key to success, in swimming lessons and in life. I consider myself the first life coach of your kids. Teaching important skill’s that will be used outside the pool setting.I’m blessed to see the same students week after week, year after year. With relationships of trust at a very young age. Most kids haven’t been told what to do by someone besides their parents. Kids think that their parents are going to save them, if they cry run away are throw a tantrum. This is a rude awaking when they hear the words “Miss Jean is in charge.” The first lesson is the hardest for everyone. This is when habits to “get out of something,” doesn’t work. Keeping it positive and reminding them they can pick which skill they want to do first. They can ask for” a moment” or “wiggle time’. I give lots of breaks, but we always complete the skillsets.
I tell all my parents that their kids will be working as instructor and lifeguards for me some day. Teasing that they will get all their money back spent in lessons when their kids turn 16. You can become a lifeguard /swim instructor at 16. It gives them a chance to dream big. To think about their future, to visualize. All my children where lifeguards or swim instructor’s in their teens. I love pointing to the lifeguard chair and say”that’s my son lifeguarding over there. Lifeguards are hero’s like policemen ,or firemen someone you look up to and have to listen to. In fact most hero type jobs, start with teenagers who work for park and recreation jobs. I have some many parents tell me they where swim instructors, camp counselors and lifeguards themselves. I’m so blessed to do my life’s work right now, so proud of everyone out there trying to be themselves to the best of their ability at that moment.
Miss Jean
CEO of Missjeanswimming, in Marin, and Bay Area. Operates at Northbridge Recreation Center, San Rafael, Ca.
Hi My name is Jean. I’m currently working on completing 50 mentor calls with assignments for each. Why am I doing this? To whip myself back into shape mentality. As a single mom, of four kids, working all the time was my life. For years I put black pants and white shirt and a apron. And I went to work, sometime sleeping in my clothes rolling out of bed to do it all over again.Graveyard shifts or hard on the sleep cycle.But I loved working with families and being put of a community.I worked in recreation centers and bar in San Franciso and Marin. But that is draining and most of the time paycheck to paycheck. For me it was check advances, more money lost to fee’s, it seemed like it was getting harder the more I worked. I looked around me and everyone was in the same boat, some bigger or small, large crew or solo. We where all stuck in jobs that didn’t full fill us as people with purpose(other than to make them money). The foreman told me to” shut up and deal,” more than once. Which was a challenge for me.My first day dealing blackjack at Thunder Valley, a step up from expo/runner. Big opportunity, a step up in money and physical wear and tear on my already tired body. So excited, after completely the 3 months free course, every night from 5:30-9:30, couldn’t miss a day or your out of the program. I auditioned an got the job.The instructor told us no days shifts would be available so don’t ask. I took graveyard part time. Then saw some of my classmates in day’s. Remember I have 4 kids that I would like to spend time with them. They were 6,8,9,11 and being watched by my unemployed boyfriend. terrible idea ,by the way. take my word for it. There are people who support you and your goals and their are people who only care about themselves. My point to this story is the job still being better than the last one didn’t make my dreams come true. In fact they said this “all there is”, or we are in a “raise freeze”. I love hearing I’m “over qualified”. Every time I started a new job, bottom of the seniority todem pole even If I was more quailfied,working harder,on time, it didn’t seem to matter. Then I read “The Secret” and learned about the Law of Attraction. I changed my stars, I went back to the job and place that made me happy. Big Dream, Marin California is one fo the most beautiful place in the world ,in my option. The cost of living is very high, I had two daughters in high school, in Yuba City, two younger sons in Middle school. It took me a extra year to move in 2012, but I did. Fast forward to 2020. I have 2 small businesses both my passions. I get to help people everyday get stronger,faster and more effective. I’m evolving into the grandmother side of my life. I youngest son 19 years old still lives with me and my partner at home. I have been in 5 year relationship with my Partner and we work to make the world a better place. He is a Reiki Master and different from anyone I have ever known. His unconditional love is more than I could have ever hoped for.
What does this have to do with Mentor Calls? Everything, I have trained and train to be great at every thing my job wanted me to do. I decided to support my own dreams for a change. I put my time, energy and talent into myself and family and it was the best decision I ever made. Mentor calls reminded me why I’m doing this, if you fall down you can get up.I have done both. Through great struggle comes get rewards I always say. I have been living my great reward for 6 years. But I feel more prepared for struggle because I have surrounded myself with ,healthy,positive and giving people who share my goal to make the world a better place. I would love to support everyone on their journey to be better. Eat better, sleep better,learn more, stress less. If this is your journey too, welcome. Join my team of wellness advocates and customers who want to leave the world better than they found it through natural medicine and pure essential oils.
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