At Marlins Swim School, we know how much families value consistency. For many parents, having the same teacher every week feels important—for routine, comfort, and building trust. And we agree: whenever possible, we do our best to provide that consistency.
But life happens. Teachers take holidays, get sick, or sometimes move on. That means your child may occasionally have a substitute instructor.
We understand that change can feel unsettling—but here’s the surprising truth: there are real benefits to your child experiencing a different teacher now and then.
Adaptability: A Life Skill Beyond the Pool
When your child swims with a different instructor, they’re not just learning swimming—they’re learning how to adapt.
In school, they’ll have relief teachers. In life, they’ll meet new bosses, colleagues, and friends. Change is constant, and giving kids the chance to practice flexibility in a safe, supportive setting (like swimming lessons) helps them build resilience and confidence.
At Marlins, we see teacher changes not as setbacks, but as opportunities for growth—both in the water and in life.
A Story From Our Own Family
Even our own daughter, Amara—who swims at Marlins multiple times a week and practically lives here—recently experienced this.
When school swimming lessons began, she admitted the night before: “I feel a bit scared.”
We were surprised. She knows the pool. She knows all the teachers. She swims here all the time! So we asked why.
Her answer was simple: “Because I don’t know what to expect.”
That moment reminded us that even confident kids can feel unsettled when faced with something new. And that’s perfectly normal.
Our role as parents and teachers isn’t to remove those feelings, but to guide children through them—to help them discover they’re capable of more than they realise. That’s where real growth happens.
Every Teacher Brings Something Unique
Sometimes parents notice that a substitute lesson looks a little different:
- The class might focus on a slightly different skill.
- Activities may seem easier than usual—or sometimes more challenging.
And that’s the exciting part. Every teacher brings their own strengths, style, and fresh perspective. Your child may hear an explanation phrased in a new way, discover a fun activity they haven’t tried before, or reinforce important foundations that support long-term progress.
Different doesn’t mean “less.” In fact, it often means more.
Helping Kids See Change as Positive
Of course, not all children embrace surprises. Some may feel nervous about a new teacher. But the way we frame it as parents makes a huge difference.
Here are a couple of strategies we recommend:
✅ Show Them Who Their Teacher Will Be
If possible, show your child a picture of their teacher before class. Pair it with something positive like, “Today you get to learn with Miss Katie! How exciting!”
✅ Use Positive Language
Instead of “Oh no, your teacher isn’t here,” try: “You get to learn new things with Mr. Raphael today!”
By presenting change as an adventure, we help kids shift from fear to curiosity—and set them up for a successful lesson.
Our Commitment to Parents
We always aim to notify families in advance if a teacher change is coming. On rare occasions, last-minute illness or emergencies mean we can’t provide much notice—but please know we are always working behind the scenes to ensure the transition is smooth and your child feels supported.
And just like we reminded Amara before her first school swimming class: it’s okay to feel nervous about something new. You can still be brave, give it a go, and achieve amazing things—even with butterflies in your tummy.
Final Thought
At Marlins, our mission goes beyond teaching swimming skills. Our goal is for every child to feel loved, cared for, appreciated, and valued.
Sometimes that looks like swimming a little differently for a day. Sometimes it means adjusting to a new face on pool deck. But every moment is a chance for growth—both in swimming, and in life.
Thank you for trusting us with your child’s swimming journey. We’re so grateful to have you as part of the Marlins family. 💙
