While being a swimmer for Triton’s swim and dive team, junior Maggie Tardiff has been showing her interest in this sport by not only being one of its competitors but by teaching it as well. The Triton Voice met with Maggie to talk about her job as a swim instructor, and how much she enjoys the sport of swimming.

“I teach children between the ages of two and twelve how to swim and different techniques that go along with swimming.” Said Tardiff. “I’m happy having this as my job because I like working with the kids and I enjoy watching them improve and learn, and especially seeing how excited some of them get when they get in the pool.”

Although the student athlete and now instructor has a lot of fun with her job, there seems to be difficulties along the way.

“Sometimes the children don’t listen when I give directions, and sometimes some kids don’t feel comfortable doing certain things, and I don’t like pressuring them into doing things they don’t want to do,” explains Tardiff. “Also, some parents or members that come in can be rude, but thankfully I haven’t met many like that.”

Being a swimmer herself, she knew that the sport could be challenging but she didn’t realize that teaching it could be hard as well. From day to day, Tardiff has been getting better at becoming a great instructor, and she learns that even though there are difficulties along the way, she will always enjoy her job.

“I really recommend this job to anyone, especially if they like being around kids and has patience with them because sometimes they don’t learn right away. But when they improve or become comfortable with you, it’s totally worth it,” Tardiff said.

As the winter season kicks back in, Maggie will start the new swim season. She can’t wait to get back in the water with her team, but most of all she can’t wait to tell her students all about it, and hopefully influence them into sticking with the sport as they grow older.