WNYSI Instructor Course

1. WNYSI Instructor Course

2. Welcome to the WNYSI Course! Upon completion of the online and pool portion as well as the final written exam you will be certified as a WNYSI Instructor which is an approved PSI Certification by NYSHD. Leading up to the pool portion you will have 4 lessons to complete that include quizzes and assignments to assess your learning of the course material. You can complete the lessons whenever is convenient for you, however all course work must be completed prior to the pool portion. Any incomplete quizzes or assignments will make you ineligible to take the pool portion and complete the course. If you ever have trouble accessing the online material please contact Kristin at 662-6450 ext 2 or via email at santillok@orchardparkny.org immediately.

3. Course Objectives: To train passionate and competent individuals the necessary skills to teach individuals how to be safe in and around water, how to teach individuals how to swim, and how to safely and effectively assess someone’s swimming ability.

4. WNYSI Blended Learning Course Part 1) Online curriculum Entire course will be emailed to you Follow the syllabus to ensure you are staying on track If you have trouble contact OPREC santillok@orchardparkny.org 662-6450 ext 2

5. WNYSI Blended Learning Course Part 2) In Water Sessions Take what we learned and apply it in the water Demonstration, Role Playing, Mock Teaching Day 1 at the pool will begin with strokes Plan on spending the duration of each day in the water

6. WNYSI Blended Learning Course Part 3) Shadowing/ Co- Teaching One of our instructors will come to you and view a few of your lessons in action They will provide feedback after and sign off that the WNYSI curriculum was demonstrated as expected On the last pool day you will coordinate this with your instructor

7. Classroom Setup Instructor Responsibilities Course Lengths Class Size and Considerations Course Safety

8. Instructor Responsibilities: • To teach lesson curriculum following and abiding by WNYSI standards. • Ensure participants safety at all times •  Inspect the facility before and after each class for hazards •  Treat all participants with respect and provide additional support when needed.

9. Course Lengths: • Each session is designed to teach each level curriculum over the course of 8 lessons. Each of the eight lessons are 45 minutes in length except for the Parent Child class which is 30 minutes in length due to our smaller participants getting colder quicker. • The lesson plans are set up in a way that each lesson builds upon the last making it important to start with day one and work through to day 8 • You may not make it through an entire days curriculum depending on your class, if this happens you would start where you left off the next time you meet.

10. Class Size: • Student to instructor ratio is 6:1 • If you have more than 6 students in a lesson you will need a co- teacher. • We stress the 6:1 because this creates a very safe environment and a class size that allows instructors to provide individual attention when needed. • Smaller class sizes tend to have less behavior problems as the children are more engaged, active and build a stronger rapport with the instructor.

11. Course Safety: • Check the pool and pool area before and after each class to ensure there are no potential hazards. • While teaching you are required to have a certified lifeguard on deck regardless if you are a certified lifeguard yourself. • The lifeguard provides surveillance of all bathers at all times and has no additional instructional duties or responsibilities. • Inform your participants where the emergency exits, AED & First Aid are located • While teaching know your participants limits. Kids will often push themselves beyond their physical limitations, look out for signs of fatigue and incorporate rests into your lesson if you see your class becoming overly fatigued.

12. Classroom Setup • Clearly mark your lesson boundaries using bright visual Aids • Cones or flags are great to use • Whatever you choose make sure you can see it from the water • First day always start in the shallow end regardless of the level • Kids may be hesitant to say they cannot swim in the deep end if the rest of the class can • Different pool environments, water temp and even how much activity your participants had before they came to your lesson can have an effect on their ability to swim. Do not create an unsafe situation, start in the shallow end and work towards the deep end. • Have all tools (noodles, toys, etc) at the side of the pool – you never want to turn your back on your class to get equipment. Be prepared each and every class. • Greet your participants and parents as they arrive, giving them the highlights of what is to come in the days lesson.

13. Classroom Setup In the Water Instructors enter first and then help all participants in Keep eyes on your entire class at all times Lifeguard on deck is part of your team, not the only one responsible for swimmers. Younger levels Bub- L3 participants should be within a few arms lengths at all times. More in lesson 2 on how to accomplish this. Use widths to start for all levels, Level 4-6 plan on incorporating lengths half way through

14. Classroom Setup Setting the tone from day 1 will set your class up for success Parents and participants do not always know what to expect Calm fears and create reasonable expectations by starting each class by talking with parents & participants about what the days lesson will entail Share your resources- hand out copies of the skill sheets to help parents understand where the lesson is heading

15. You are now ready to begin! • Have paper ready for notes • Your manual available to reference for assignments • A quite place to concentrate • Computer with speakers to listen to videos • Thank you for joining us for this course and look forward to your feedback upon completion! • Enjoy!