Jessica:
I became a lifeguard at our local pool in high school and began teaching Red Cross swim lessons. I quickly realized I had a passion to get children comfortable in the water and started offering private swim lessons to local families. I was introduced to Swimtastc Swim School and was so intrigued by their teaching style and passion for children as well as their mission to get each child or
adult comfortable in the water. I became a swim instructor there and later became a deck manager, then the assistant facility manager and then the facility manager. Through my training I was able to refine my teaching style and become nationally certified in teaching infants. I moved back to NE and brought back with me a STRONG desire and passion for offering professional lifesaving swim lessons to families using the knowledge that I was given. I started teaching swim lessons at the Racquet Club and realized that my dream of giving professional LIFEsaving swim lessons to families was far beyond anything that I had seen offered to the community of Lincoln. I was introduced to Blake Collingsworth who is the founder of the Josh the Otter project after he and his family experience the death of their 2 1/2 son, Josh, to drowning. It was then that I was able to start the journey of offering my skills and passion to Lincoln. I am so blessed by AMAZING families and their support of my passion for offering LIFEsaving swim skills. I would love to introduce myself and show you the awesome possibilities you or your child have in the water!! Jana:
I became a Red Cross certified lifeguard in high school in my home town of Spalding, NE. Being able to combine my love for children and enjoyment of the water I was very excited to begin teaching both public and private swim lessons. After high school, I studied education at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. I transferred to Doane College and chose to study human relations because I took an interest in Psychology and Sociology. I came to realize that I had a true passion to educate children which has grown through the exploration of my interests for both children and psychology. In June 2007 I was introduced to Jessica Bailey and after learning of my interest for children, she asked me to join their family as a nanny after the birth of their first son in April 2008. Through the years I have had the opportunity to watch LifeSTROKES grow into what it has now become. I admire and share Jessica’s work ethic and passion for teaching professional LIFEsaving swim lessons. I became a swim instructor for LifeSTROKES in February 2011 and have fallen in love with the families and children that I have been able to teach! I look forward to meeting new faces and showing you my passion for children!! Miss Jana :)
Testimonials:
"Our children have been taking swimming lessons from "Miss Jessica" for several summers. Jessica's love for swimming and the water are contagious to anyone who takes lessons with her. Not only does she make swimming FUN, but she teaches each student how to be safe in the water. "Miss Jessica's" enthusiasm and passion shine through each lesson, and our children can't wait to go to their lessons each week!"
-Katie Robb-
Our son loves water, so getting him into swim lessons was a must! We enrolled Ezra into lessons with Miss Jessica when he was 8 months old and he is nearly 2.5 now. These 2 years in lessons with Miss Jessica, with her focus on pool safety and the foundation she establishes of "the basics"; have given Ezra confidence in the water, sharpened his skills and are molding his technique. Her small class sizes also allow for one-on-one time within the group lesson if needed. You can't find that with other swim teachers. Miss Jessica is knowledgeable in her field and genuinely cares about the success of your child. Ezra loves swimming with Miss Jessica!
-Dana Bird-
Our son Jack (4 1/2 yr) has taken lessons from Jessica for the past 1 1/2 years. Jessica keeps the classes small so she can focus on the needs of each child. She uses techniques that don't frighten a small child, yet is able to gently move them forward in their progress. We love her swim lessons!
-Paige Felt-
