Cost:
Group lessons: $200
Hi! I am Katharine. I'm 35 years old. Let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I grew up helping my mom teach swim lessons when I was 7-10 years old. I swam competitively as a child and loved it. I think it was the first thing that I learned if I worked hard at it and didn't complain, I could actually be really good. It wasn't until after college that I got my lifeguard certification (2012) and quickly following that, my certification to teach swimming lessons. I quickly realized that I really enjoyed teaching. I enjoyed helping kids learn to overcome their fear, learn how to trust me and themselves, and how to experience the freedom that came with overcoming their fears. I have taught lessons at Lifetime Fitness, the Kroc Center, and Memphis Country Club, where I was the Aquatics Director for 2 years. I taught out of my parents' home for 5 years and now teach at different private pools around the city.
One of the best parts of teaching is watching it all click and their sweet faces to light up with a big smile, because they are so proud of themselves. I think the most rewarding part of teaching are the long fought battles. What I mean by that is the kiddos who comes to lessons in tears and scared to death. They want nothing to do with the water or with you, but these are my opportunities to show a child what it is to be relentlessly cared for, yet pushed out of their comfort zone. Sometimes it happens faster than others, but they all get it.
They learn that it's ok to be afraid, but more importantly that it's even more fun and rewarding to try in a safe environment with teachers who care about them. They overcome fears they thought were paralyzingly, even if they can't verbalize it. Little do they know how they are unceasingly prayed for before, during, and after each lesson. Praying that they could be filled with peace and the willingness to try and overcome fear.
That is why I teach. I teach because I know what it is like to have insurmountable fears, but with the right people and a lot of time on my knees in prayer I have seen God move mountains in my life. He has done the impossible. He has healed the unhealable parts. He has replaced fear with freedom. That is what I want to give to each child who comes to take lessons with me.
Signing your child up for lessons with me does 2 things: It allows me to continue doing what I know God has gifted me to do. And it gives your child a safe place to learn how to swim, to meet new friends, and to learn that they can have fun doing something that might have at one time seemed scary.
Certifications: Lifeguard Instructor certified, which includes CPR, First Aid, and an AED.
If you have any questions please click here to send me an email or text me at 901-828-9810.