Swim-Teacher Certification

Swim-teacher certification is important to maintain the standards of teaching among swimming instructors, as well as to ensure students get a quality education in both water safety and swimming technique. If you want to work as a swim teacher, getting certified will not only train you to do your job thoroughly and well, but also validate your training and skills to parents and potential employers.

  1. Function

    • Swim-teacher training that leads to certification ensures that each swim teacher adheres to the curriculum of the swimming pool, club or recreation center. All swim programs divide their instruction into levels and teach certain skills at certain levels. In addition, teacher training ensures the safety of all children and adults learning to swim.

    Types

    • Many organizations, both local and national, provide swim-teacher certification. The YMCA offers a program that will qualify you to teach in any YMCA. The most universally accepted program is the American Red Cross, which requires that you take First Aid, CPR and Water Safety Instructor courses. Private, well-respected organizations that offer swim-teacher certification include the Starfish Aquatics Institute and Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc.

    Features

    • Most programs that award swim-teacher certification require a demonstration of the teacher's skills in each swim stroke. The training will generally include motor-learning theory, curriculum guidelines and classroom training. Water safety will be taught, and some courses offer instruction on teaching children and adults with disabilities. In addition, specifics on teaching each stroke will be taught, and instruction will usually include time in the water teaching alongside a certified teacher. Most certification programs end with a series of tests.

    Considerations

    • Each job will have its own swim-teacher certification requirements. Many local recreation departments have a certification course specifically for their would-be instructors. Because there is not one universal governing body for swim-teacher certification, acceptance of each teacher's training and certificate is conditional on the hiring preferences of each swimming pool or club.

    Related Certifications

    • Each job will have its own particular requirements, but lifeguard training and certification is often a requirement for swimming instructors. America Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification is also usually a requirement to work as a lifeguard or swimming instructor, particularly if you're teaching swim classes for children.