About
I'm a group and private swim instructor of 13 years, who enjoys engaging children in learning through play. I provide my students a safe environment, in which I encourage them to challenge themselves exploring their abilities in the water. Constant positive reinforcement, and a student centered, guided discovery method of teaching allows me to empower swimmers. Fun and games foster a life long love of the water and help participants cognize swim skills.
Actively proficient in all strokes, I have a knowledge of a variety of drills to strengthen technique and build endurance of all ages and experience levels of swimmers that I coach. I am American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and CPR certified with have the liability insurance needed to train at your pool.
I love working with families from all over the world. Getting to know my students, inspiring them, seeing their hard work payoff, and highlighting each of my swimmer's unique talents, is humbling and gratifying.
Highlights
Specialties
Access to pool
Goals
Comfortable in water
Experience level
Student age(s)
Lessons length
Photos and videos
Reviews
Jesal P.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Meeting each person where they are at, treating students of all ages and abilities with respect, and making learning fun, establishes trust and allows students to flourish. Using what skills my swimmers are good at, enjoy, or are comfortable with as a point of departure, builds their confidence and makes goals feel attainable.
I inquire about the goals of young adult and adult swimmer's or clients I coach. Constant assessment, informs me what a student needs to work on to achieve a more harmonious balance in their stroke. I use informative games for young children, or drills for adult, older, and more advanced students which allow the student to feel what work best and engage their muscel memory.
It's all about exploring your body in the water. In order to do that it's best to have your heart rate up; so as one of my favorite students once said: "Less talk and more swimming!"
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I taught all the levels of Y swim lessons, camp groups, and over four years ago, sarted teaching private lessons for a company which runs the amenities in residential buildings.
Experience teaching is the most valuable thing and I have also been certified in Y Swim Lessons, Y Swim Lessons 2, and have kept my Water Safety Instructor certification active with the American Red Cross.
In swimming there is always something new to learn and I have improved my craft from Jack Rabit Thriathlon Training, swam with the kids on the swim team at the Y that I worked at as, well as with co-workers.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
How did you get started teaching?
Learning and teaching are my passions. I grew up in a culture where critical thinking is valued. This makes me love when students ask questions. Any opportunity to teach something new excites me. In return I learn so much from my students; including how to be a better teacher.
I've been swimming throughout my whole life, swim lessons from three years old, swim team at 10, and my own long distance workouts almost everyday in highschool . In college I started lifeguarding, when my boss told me she was going to put me in the water to help teach a class, I was dumbfounded, the thought had never crossed my mind. In assisting observing other teachers; learning to be vulnerable, engage students and share my talents I found joy and fulfilment.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with everyone!
Preschool aged students who didn't want to swim without flotation.
Babies who love going under water.
Little kids and big kids with processing disorders.
Students who just want to jump in.
Adults who do open water swims.
Students with autism.
Older students who are terrified of the water.
Students on pre swim team who didn't understand why they kept getting disqualified at meets.
Women students who have just had a baby and want to get back in shape.
Students who don't want to put their face in.
Students who only want to swim uderwanter.
Parents who are more apprehensive then their young children.
Parents who want to push harder then is comfortable for their young child.
Kids who haven't discovered the power of their bodies in the water.
Kids who are athletes.
People who take to gliding.
Students who want to fight the water.
Natural flutter kickers and natural breast stroke kickers...
Visual learners and auditory learners.
Students who are hands on and students who overthink.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
A six year old student of mine put her face in while swimming for the first time! We came up with a code word, the name of one of her favorite heroins, and everytime I said the name, she put her face in. Her dad was so proud, he took a video to show to her mom.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
What experience does the instructor have?
Is their style teacher centered or student centered?
Are they a good fit for you or your child?
Have the first lesson be a trail, which you can pay for individually. If you're not sure, don't commit, try someone else.
If you find a really good swim instructor, who's professional lock them down. Give as much notice as possible when making schedule changes.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Do you have access to a residential pool which allows outside trainers. If not, the parks and rec pools, in New York City, offer free lessons. Even if you have access to a city pool, or gym pool, unless you're willing to pay for an instructors membership on top of the price of lessons, its not worth the instructor having to pay to respond to your request. It's also not allowed to have outside instructors, who don't pay for pool rental at most membership based or public pools.
Is the student ready and do they want to learn in a structured lesson?