Certified ISR Instructor

Meet Mrs. Jen

Teaching ISR is my joy—helping children feel safe and parents feel at peace.

My Story

I have been an ISR mom since 2014, with both of my children completing this life-saving program. Experiencing the confidence and protection ISR gave our family inspired me to become a certified instructor in 2019, so I could help bring those same benefits to other families. Over the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching more than 280 students critical survival swim skills. ISR is built on a mission of safety—adding a vital layer of protection around water while empowering children and parents with the confidence to safely enjoy swimming.

At Mrs. Jen’s ISR Swim Lessons, children ages 6 months to 6 years receive personalized survival swim instruction in a safe, supportive environment. Lessons are taught in my home pool, where each child is guided with patience, encouragement, and individualized attention. My teaching philosophy is centered on equipping children with ISR’s time-tested, life-saving survival skills while nurturing their confidence and sense of security in and around the water. Together, we’ll ensure your child develops the skills they need for a lifetime of safe and enjoyable swimming experiences.

FAQs

I hear you say your priority is survival skills. Will my child learn to actually swim?

Yes. At ISR, we believe that part of survival for a child who can walk is swimming. Children learn the swim-float-swim sequence so that they could get themselves to safety. The difference in our program is that they will learn swimming AND survival skills and how to be an aquatic problem solver.

Why are lessons 5 days per week and for only 10 minutes?

The reason for this is multifaceted. First, repetition and consistency are crucial elements of learning for young children. Research shows that short, more frequent lessons result in higher retention. Second, most children have fairly short attention spans and will not be able to focus on the task for longer and we want to take advantage of the best time for learning. A third reason is that, though the pool temperature is maintained at 78-88 degrees, the temperature is still lower than your child's body temperature. Lessons are work and therefore will also be losing body heat. Instructors check students regularly for temperature fatigue since this is an indicator of physical fatigue.

How do you teach them to hold their breath?

Breath holding skills are taught beginning with the first lesson. We shape breath control using highly effective positive reinforcement techniques. We continue to reinforce these breath-holding techniques throughout every lesson.

Why does it take an average of 6 weeks for my child to learn this?

The 6-week average is an estimate that is based on the average time in which it takes most children to learn these survival skills. Every child is unique and ISR’s Self- Rescue program is specifically designed based on your child’s individual strengths and needs. It is important to realize that this is an average which means that some children will actually finish more quickly while others will need more practice. ISR is dedicated to safety and, therefore, we want to provide your child with the time and best opportunity to become proficient in his/her survival skills. We will always honor your child’s needs.

Meet Mrs. Jen

My Story

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