You don’t need to spend long with Lennor Moutsos to sense the level of passion she has for what she does. As our Swim Teacher Coordinator at Coburg Leisure Centre, Lennor is the “mum” of our swimming community - and it’s easy to see why. Swapping the office for the pool while on maternity leave a decade ago, Lennor discovered a truly enriching career path. Since then, she’s continued to grow as an educator and a leader. Today, she shares her dreams of expanding our swimming programs at Coburg. But we’re missing one key ingredient: more Swim Teachers. Lennor sat down with us to reflect on the invaluable service Swim Teachers provide to our communities and offer her insights into why others (particularly parents and guardians!) might love swim teaching as much as she does.
To start your journey as a Swim Teacher, contact Lennor at lennor.moutsos@ymca.org.au with the email subject
“Ready to train as a Swim Teacher”, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.
-
Help address Victoria’s Swim Teacher shortage
As our Swim Teacher Coordinator at Coburg Leisure Centre, Lennor is responsible for running the swimming programs for 1,700 children. She also recruits and trains our Swim Teachers. And, of course, she’s a teacher herself. People of all ages come to Lennor to learn how to enjoy the water safely. Before COVID-19, Coburg Leisure had more than 2,100 students on the books. But by the time swimming lessons resumed after Melbourne’s eight-month lockdown ended in 2020, many of our Swim Teachers had graduated university and commenced work elsewhere.
“Under usual circumstances, we’d have trained other Swim Teachers to replace those who had left. But, like so many community venues, the pools were closed during lockdown. So, now we’re experiencing a real shortage of Swim Teachers - including those trained to teach children with autism and people living with a disability. It’s estimated the state needs another 600 Swim Teachers to keep up with the growing demand for lessons. Right now, we have to turn students away, and that’s really hard.”
Lennor is quick to emphasise the critical role Swim Teachers play in our community.
“Learning to swim is a necessary life skill, like driving a car. When you get in the car, you need to be safe. When you get in the water, you need to be safe. At its core, this role is about helping both kids and adults enjoy the water - and, critically, giving them the tools to be safe in the water for life. We want to expand our programs to involve more kids, but first, we need more Swimming Teachers in the pool.”
-
Bring your flair, see your impact
Lennor teaches all ages, from babies as young as six weeks old to people in their 70s. And whether she’s teaching teachers or students, her philosophy is the same: to provide a solid framework and ideas, but ultimately, to teach people the way that works best for them.
“There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all' technique. When someone is just starting out, you need to identify how they feel safe in the water, develop their strokes, and encourage them from there. It’s the same with adults in the pool for the first time or someone relearning to swim after an injury.”
Lennor smiles as she reflects on the many memories she’s made as a Swim Teacher. She’s helped children to overcome their fear of the water, children with autism to feel comfortable with the aquatic environment, and older people to embrace swimming and water sports for the first time.
“When we’re in the pool with babies, we gently introduce the feeling of water around their body and faces to help them get used to the sensation. I had one boy with autism who didn’t tolerate water well at all. It was years before he was able to put his face in. And when it happened, it was amazing. I thought, ‘OK, we’re going to do this,’ and I made a big game of it. I put toy aquatic animals at the bottom of the pool and said, ‘The toys are treasure’. His face lit up. ‘The platform in the middle is our island, this is the beach, and we’re going to find the treasure!’ The had to put his face in to find the treasure - so that’s exactly what happened. His mum and I sat on the edge of the pool in tears; we were both overcome with emotion. From that day, his fear of having water around his face was gone. You’ve got to create another world for them underwater. Ignite their imagination.”
Lennor emphasises that although she’s educating others, she gains so much from the experience, too.
“It makes me so fulfilled to help my students achieve their goals. We’re all very invested in our students; we know them well, so we know how to get the best out of them.”
-
Connect with your community
One of the best things about working at the Y, Lennor shares, is the close-knit community atmosphere.
“As the Y is a not-for-profit, our students are at the very centre of our mission, not profit. This approach lends itself to a beautiful, family-friendly atmosphere. I’m a social person, and in this role, I interact with people of all different backgrounds. It makes our time at the pool so interesting and fun.” -
Enjoy the Swim Teacher lifestyle
The working hours are another wonderful aspect of being a Swim Teacher, Lennor reflects.
“It’s a fantastic role for parents. A few mums have started teaching; it fits in so well with the school run. As we have group lessons during the school day, parents can start work once they drop their kids off, then head home to pick them up. I started when I was on maternity leave with my third child - and I haven’t looked back since. My working hours fit in seamlessly with my responsibilities as a mum.” -
Rekindle an old passion, discover a new career
Lennor says she couldn’t be happier about her decision to become a Swim Teacher all those years ago - and she encourages you to throw your hat in the ring, too.
“I’m so glad I decided to go back to my roots those years ago and get involved in something I truly care about. If anyone out there loved the water growing up, you’re going to love it again. More importantly, you’ll be able to share that passion with others. And if you’re only realising your love for the water now, don’t be scared to dive right in. Give it a go. It’s such a rewarding career.”
Thank you, Lennor. We can’t express how much we appreciate your commitment to our students, parents, and our broader community.
Already a qualified Swim Teacher?
Working for YMCA Victoria is a rewarding experience for those with a positive attitude and zest for life, and who want to make a real difference. If this sounds like you, click the Apply button or email us at careers.vic@ymca.org.au for further information.