Our Teachers
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Jo
Baby Pre-School Teacher
Meet Teacher Jo.
Jo began her Puddle Ducks journey in the madness of the pandemic. Jo was already teaching school age children and Rookie lifeguard training to year 11’s before taking the steps to become a Puddle Duck BPS teacher.
Jo swam competitively to a county level until the age of 18. Jo Said "I had thought about completing swimming teacher qualifications but work life always seem to get in the way. A number of years later I saw an advert for a volunteer programme through our local sports centre and began volunteering once a week assisting teaching in their learner pool. Through the volunteer programme I completed my Level 1 Swimming assistant course and decided the time was right for me to follow my heart and continue into the profession full time. I found it truly amazing and took great pleasure in seeing children sometimes going from being so nervous at their first lessons that they were literally shaking at the edge of the pool to coming in full of smiles and enthusiasm for their lessons as their confidence grew"
"I truly love my job and the best part for me is when I look round my classes and am greeted by big smiles from little ones and their parents. We are teaching one of the most important life skills and having fun along the way"
Here at Puddle Ducks we feel that anyone lucky enough to join one of Jo's classes will see what amazing connections she builds with her customers, big and small.
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Natalie
Baby Pre-School Teacher
Meet Teacher Natalie.
Natalie has always loved working with children, and comes to us with a background as a childminder and a mum of two. Both of Natalie's children loved to swim and her daughter still attends weekly Rookie life guarding sessions. Natalie has always valued the importance of learning to swim and knows what a key life skill having water confidence is for children.
Last year she took the plunge and decided to become a swimming teacher, and after watching some Puddle Ducks lessons she knew it was the right path for her.
Natalie loves how our classes offer children a perfect balance of fun and key lifesaving skills and she has truly enjoyed getting to know her swimmers and seeing their confidence grow every week.
Natalie said "Being able to see a child’s confidence grow each week and how happy they are when they achieve a new skill is the best part of her job".
Here at Puddle Ducks we feel that anyone lucky enough to have Natalie as their Teacher will see her dedication and passion for swimming shine in every lesson.
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Elle
Baby Pre-School and Aquanatal Teacher
Meet Teacher Elle.
Elle first discovered Puddle Ducks when she brought her little girl, Lucy, to classes at Barnt Green. They loved Puddle Ducks from the get-go and it became their favourite activity of the week.
Elle first became a Poolside Assistant at the beginning of 2023 and loved it so much she took the plunge to become a baby and preschool swimming teacher and is so glad that she did, as she loves her job. If you attend her classes Elle's passion for her role shines throughout every activity, proving that she was born to teach.
You will find Rachel at Trugym Kidderminster, and she keeps up her Poolside role as well at both Barnt Green and Feckenham.
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Emma
Baby Pre-Schoo and Swim Academy Teacher
Meet Teacher Emma.
Emma decided to join puddle ducks as an employee 10 years ago, from being a customer with her floatie Harry and absolutely loving it. Emma is most at home in the water and was a swimmer as a child swimming for Haden Hill, now following in her footsteps her children all swim competitively for Bromsgrove swimming club.
Emma teachers both Baby Pre-School and our Swim Academy classes, she personally makes sure each Swimmers gets the best out of their lessons. Bringing her depth of knowledge and professional experience to your classes. Emma loves face down bubbles and is on hand to help all swimmers to achieve their goals throughout all of our programs.
Emma said "I absolutely love my job, it is so rewarding, a fun and friendly environment to work in, I look forward to coming to work to see my swimmers every day"
If you have Emma as your Teacher, you are in safe, caring and knowledgeable hands.
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Hollie
Baby Pre-School Teacher
Hollie loves building trust and relationships with both her swimmers and parents. Hollie feels there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the expression on both parents and swimmers faces when they achieve something that they never thought was possible, little ones finding their confidence even with something as simple as holding on to the wall and letting go of their parent for the first time is fantastic.
If you have Hollie as your Teacher, we know you will absolutely love your classes.
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Alec
Swim Academy Teacher
Meet Teacher Alec.
Alec has always enjoyed swimming and attends Puddle Ducks swimming lessons with his daughter. Swimming runs in the family and Alec took the leap in 2023 to train to become a Puddle Ducks Swim Academy teacher, working alongside Emma at TruGym Alec brings his passion for swimming to pass along to his customers.
Alec loves to keep busy directing, acting and working for BOA in Birmingham are just some of the many things Alec does but being a dad and spending time at the pool either in the lessons or teaching them are among his favourite!
With Alec as your Teacher we know your child will benefit from Alec's knowledge and technical skill.
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Paula
Office Manager
Meet Office Manager Paula.
Paula has worked for Puddle Ducks Worcestershire for over 7 years as the Office Manager. The office manager job is varied and no two days are the same. Paula said "I love speaking to our customers and getting out to the pools to watch the classes is my favorite thing to do"
Paula has worked in a swimming environment for around 25 years. Having previously taught her own classes with a different provider. Paula is very proud to tell people in the industry she works for Puddle Ducks and knows first hand how highly trained our teachers are and the passion the whole company has to provide the best. "Puddle Ducks are leaders in the industry and are constantly reviewing and updating our lesson plans in line with best practice. Our franchise owners are the best " bosses " I have ever worked for- we are appreciated, supported and treated as individuals, it's a fantastic family friendly business to be part of"
When Paula is not at work she has two older children (15 and 12) and a very Scottish husband who all love to explore. Paula loves going on holiday and finding new things to do. When not playing mum she enjoys musicals, blossom and yoga.
With Paula as the office manager we know that behind the scenes things are running smoothly!
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Pippa
Pippa is a mum to two fast paced boys who have a love for football and athletics and with their busy schedules they like to keep her busy ferrying them back and forth. In Pippa's down time she loves nothing more than a bit a brunch or going to watch a show or performance with my family and friends and dancing till the lights come up when I get the opportunity or energy! Her favorite colour is green and my favorite number is five.
Pippa has been with Puddle Ducks for 10 years and has always appreciated the flexibility it has given her fitting in around the children school hours. Pippa started as a customer and both her children have learnt to swim with Puddle Ducks. Pippa said"I always found the programme so positive and rewarding and have had many friends join simply by seeing how happy my children were around water. The highlight of my job is when I get to escape the desk and be poolside and I get to see the wonderful teachers we have delivering their lessons and the parents and children responding and loving their lessons. I am very lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful team of people."
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Katherine
Katherine is a mum to Jake who swam with Puddle Ducks and is now at high school, as a family they love to go on holiday in their camper van or spend time with their family. Katherine loves to read, swim and Disney (Belle being her favorite!) Katherine started Puddle Ducks as a Poolside Assistant at the Whitehouse Hotel 10 years ago and now is the Operations Manager as well as keeping her Poolside Hours at the Whitehouse.
Katherine works with the pools to ensure the smooth running of the lessons, manages the compliance for our team and works as part of the office team. Katherine said "My favorite part of my job is going to the pool on a Monday to see my swimmers and see their progress each week, any chance I get to go out to the pool I take. Seeing our swimmers enjoy their lessons gives me the purpose to do my work in the office! We have a fabulous team which i am very proud to be a part of"