Why I teach ISR

Teaching is my passion!

I have been blessed for over 20+ years to call myself an ISR Instructor! Teaching your littles is a honor and watching them learn and master self-rescue skills is a true gift!

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Miss Ellen's Story

Becoming an Aquatics Specialist and ISR instructor came unexpectedly at a time in my life when I was searching for something new. Teaching now, for over 20 years has become my passion! I have met and become close with so many incredible families and am grateful knowing that they trusted me in teaching their littles this incredible life skill!

I started my career, with my master's in social work, in Nursing Home Facilities. I was helping people deal with the "end of life" stage. When unexpected changes came up, I was forced to pivot and find a new path.

By chance, I found my long-lost love of teaching and became a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor.

When an aquatic position opened up, I jumped at the opportunity! I became a Certified Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor, First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, and American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (Stroke skills and beyond).

ISR came after a near drowning in our community. I was trained and have been blessed to be teaching for over 20 years! I cannot express how teaching has changed my life and how knowing how many children have become little mermaids/mermen because of lessons, fills my heart on a daily basis!

I cannot picture my life without these little ones coming to me daily! I love each and every one and work with their unique personalities to make sure they are successful!

Fun Facts:

I am originally from NY. Lived in Maryland for University. Lived in Israel for 4 year and got married there. I moved back to NY with my husband where we lived for 5 years before moving to Palm Beach Gardens in 1999. I have 2 grown children. I speak fluent Hebrew and am trying to re-learn Spanish!

FAQs

Do parents have to leave during the lessons?

No. You are truly the best cheerleader your child could have. Your positive support and encouragement are invaluable to creating an effective learning environment for your child.

Is it the baby fat that makes them float?

Actually, the primary factor in a baby’s ability to float is the ability to take air into the lungs. To maintain this access to air, the child must adjust his/her posture. The difference in positioning for an adult can be inches. For a baby, this adjustment is reduced to centimeters. If a child’s body posture is just a few centimeters off, it can make the difference between the face being submerged or the child having access to air.

Will my child fear the water because of lessons?

There is an important difference between being fearful and being apprehensive because you are not yet skilled in a new environment. ISR is not like traditional swim lessons; it is a drowning prevention program that teaches survival swimming. Sometimes as a parent, you make choices for your child’s safety, like sitting in a car seat, because you know they are important. The same can be said for ISR. Fun can be defined as when skill meets challenge. Once competent in their skills, many children cannot be dragged away from the pool. They are having entirely too much FUN.

Will my child need additional lessons?

Based on our research, we know that refresher lessons are important because children change so much both cognitively and physically during the first 0-5 years of life. It is important that their water survival skills grow with their bodies. Frequency depends on the child's age, growth rate, skill level and confidence level. The goal of refresher lessons is to help your child adjust his/her new body size and weight to his/her existing skill level. Your instructor will work with your child to help fine-tune his or her aquatic experience to assist with building efficiency, which will result in self-confidence. This is especially important if your child has not been able to practice any appropriate aquatic skill between seasons.

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