I have worked in the Leisure industry now for 12 years. I started as a lifeguard before being quickly promoted to the Sports & Leisure Manager position within Park Resorts in Whitley Bay. My main duties were to run the swimming pool, manage the staff and coach children in a wide range of sports activities. I decided to start teaching swimming as I enjoyed swimming myself and enjoyed teaching and coaching. Previous to starting my own business I taught swimming for Northumberland County Council and North Tyneside Council on a regular basis, mainly at Blyth Sports Centre, Concordia Leisure centre in Cramlington, Waves in Whitley Bay and The Lakeside Centre in Killingworth.

After 8 years of teaching swimming on the poolside with classes of up to 12 children I decided it was time for a new challenge and decided to start my own business. It was time for me to develop my idea of smaller classes with the instructor in the water for both safety and demonstration purposes. It has always my ambition to run my own successful business. I created Aim To Swim in April 2009 and since then the swim school has went from strength to strength starting with just 12 clients on our very first lesson. To date we teach over 200 clients in our weekly swimming lessons. I would like to thank all of the staff, parents and guardians for all of their help and support.

My working career has mainly been in Sales, Account Management, Promotions and Marketing but since having my daughter, Marlee Beth, in April 2010, I have re-evaluated my career path and have decided to go back to my swimming roots. I was a Competitive Swimmer at Tynemouth Amateur Swimming Club from the age of 6 to 17 and am now 30 years old. In February 2011, I passed my Level 1 Teaching Aquatics and progressed to pass my Level 2 in August 2011.

Since June 2011, I have been working for Aim to Swim as a Swimming Teacher which I absolutely love. Following the National Plan for Teaching Swimming as set out by the ASA, I teach small groups and also do lessons on a 1:1 basis. I and am always prepared with lesson plans and set clear objectives of what each lesson will achieve to not only ensure continual and progressive development of the swimmers but also to provide a clear structure for swimmers, their parents and myself. I absolutely love the variety and creativity that comes to each lesson and try to make learning fun whilst still having complete control of my class.

After taking part in and passing my Level 2 course, my teaching confidence has excelled and I feel fully equipped and motivated to adapt my lessons and teaching styles in order to achieve optimal results. I am able to confidently teach and demonstrate all strokes and fundamental water skills to all age groups and feel that my background as a competitive swimmer helps me deliver excellent stroke technique demonstrations in a clear and manageable way for each individual swimmer.

In addition to my teaching qualifications, I also hold the RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and Full First Aid at Work Certificate.

I have been swimming since the age of 6, with Blyth Lifeguards and Swimming Club and over the years have taken part in various galas and competitions across the country.

I was also part of the Blyth Lifeguards which involved learning essential lifesaving skills including rescues and resuscitation. During my time with Blyth Lifeguards I competed at regional and national level representing the north east and the club itself within individual and team events.

At the age of 16 I qualified as a pool lifeguard and took my first job working at Whitley bay Leisure Pool (now Waves) where I also progress to teaching and completed my teaching exams. I have since worked across North Tyneside and Northumberland encouraging and assisting more young people and children to swim. I have worked with various ages and abilities within my swimming teaching experience and realise that each swimmer is an individual and develops and learns as an individual.

I love being a part of the process and watching each swimmer develops and achieves their potential whilst having fun.

I have worked in the leisure environment for the past 16 years. I have worked 6 years as a lifeguard, 6 years as a swimming and trampolining teacher. I love teaching and it's a great passion of mine. I have taught at Blyth Sports Centre for the past 4 years while studying nursing at Northumbria University. I am a new member to the Aim to Swim team and particularly enjoy teaching young children under pinning knowledge and vital lifelong skills in relation to swimming.