About the Instructor

Hello!

My name is Janet Kamenick and I live in Indian Trail, North Carolina with my husband and four children. I have been an ISR instructor for 20 years and have taught over 1,000 children in this time. I became a Master Instructor in the spring of 2013.

I was introduced to ISR through an article in “American Baby” magazine in the spring of 2001. After researching the program and moving to Charlotte in July 2002 I enrolled my then 17-month-old daughter in the program and was inspired by the amazing results I saw with her. I soon began thinking about training as an Instructor. I began my training in March 2005 and began teaching on my own in May of the same year. Since then, my sons completed the roll-back-to-float and then became swim-float-swimmers and my youngest completed the swim-float-swim in the spring of 2016.

In order to maintain my ISR Certification and ensure that my skills and techniques continue to meet the highest standards, I undergo yearly ISR re-certification through ISR. In addition to teaching ISR, I have taught preschool, as well as grades K-5 in elementary schools. I hold a B.A. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and French from Juniata College and an M.A. Ed. in Reading Specialization from Virginia Tech.

I continue to educate our community about drowning prevention, such that our most precious members will be better protected against this preventable tragedy.

FAQs

Will my child need additional lessons?

Based on our research, we know that refresher lessons are important because children change so much both cognitively and physically during the first 0-5 years of life. It is important that their water survival skills grow with their bodies. Frequency depends on the child's age, growth rate, skill level and confidence level. The goal of refresher lessons is to help your child adjust his/her new body size and weight to his/her existing skill level. Your instructor will work with your child to help fine-tune his or her aquatic experience to assist with building efficiency, which will result in self-confidence. This is especially important if your child has not been able to practice any appropriate aquatic skill between seasons.

Will my child fear the water because of lessons?

There is an important difference between being fearful and being apprehensive because you are not yet skilled in a new environment. ISR is not like traditional swim lessons; it is a drowning prevention program that teaches survival swimming. Sometimes as a parent, you make choices for your child’s safety, like sitting in a car seat, because you know they are important. The same can be said for ISR. Fun can be defined as when skill meets challenge. Once competent in their skills, many children cannot be dragged away from the pool. They are having entirely too much FUN.

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.

How can you teach babies and young children to swim?

ISR instructors teach infants to swim by honoring each child's individual strengths and experiences. They understand the fundamentals of the behavioral sciences, child development and of sensori-motor learning as it relates to the acquisition of aquatic survival skills; they use this education to guide each child through the sequence of learning to swim and float.

Reach out today

Check out our programs and get started today!

Get Started