YMCA Healthy Living Magazine, powered by n4 food and health Winter 2019 | Page 11

JANELLE FALKINGHAM
Janelle is the Aquatics Project Manager for YMCA Victoria. For 17 years as an Aquatics
Specialist with YMCA, Janelle has led the way in Swimming and Water Safety Education.
Janelle has an extensive background in swim school management and program development
throughout her 25-year career, and she works closely with aquatic industry partners in Victoria
around drowning prevention initiatives and advocacy.
WHAT IT TAKES
TO BECOME
A YMCA SWIM
TEACHER
See how Ayman has combined his passion for swimming with
his bright personality, communication skills and sense of fun to
become a YMCA swim teacher.
very week, more than 800
YMCA Victoria swimming
teachers help thousands of
children and adults learn important
swimming and water safety skills. Their
bright red rashies make them easy to spot,
but have you ever wondered what it takes
to become a YMCA swimming teacher?
With the help of one of our new young
recruits, Janelle Falkingham explains.
E
Teaching children a skill they will use for
life is just one reason why Ayman from
Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre
chose to become a swimming teacher.
Originally from Egypt, Ayman is a
recent addition to the teaching team
at Hawthorn, and when he’s not
delivering lessons the 22-year-old is
completing his Masters degree in
mechanical engineering.
‘I’ve always been passionate about
swimming, and have been swimming my
entire life. This is why I was inspired to
become a teacher. I like it because there
is a definite joy in watching students
improve and become better swimmers,’
he said.
Our teachers have an important role to
play beyond teaching the traditional
skills of freestyle and backstroke. They
support the development of new skills
in the water and lay the foundations for
their students to be able to enjoy the
water in safety.
YMCA swimming teachers undergo
training in how to plan, deliver and
review a lesson; the elements of how
people learn; principles of movement
in water; aquatic safety, survival and
rescue skills; water familiarisation; and
buoyancy and mobility.
As accredited professionals, they must
participate in continuous professional
development
to
qualify
for
reaccreditation,
including
any
additional qualifications such as infant
and preschool aquatics, teaching
adults or teaching people with autism.
Of course, there is one thing that can’t
be taught, and it’s the most important
skill every YMCA swimming teacher
needs: the right attitude!
‘A great swimming teacher has
excellent communication skills, and is
also cheerful and fun so that the
students enjoy swimming and are
motivated to learn and achieve, and be
engaged during class,’ Ayman said.
WINTER 2019 YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE
11