Janice Jaicks - Waterworks On Wheels, Inc./FitnessFest
Janice Jaicks is the owner of Waterworks On Wheels, and teaches lessons every Saturday at Fitness Forum Health Club (Chandler Blvd. & Dobson Rd.). Janice began teaching swim lessons in 1985 at the Mesa YMCA, and found that she had a real knack for it. She immediately sought additional training, and received her Lifeguard Training Certification and WSI (Water Safety Instruction) Certification.
Janice then started teaching children all over the East Valley in their own backyard pools. Janice became so busy with this endeavor that she started training and hiring other instructors to join her team - and from that time forward, Waterworks On Wheels blossomed into the outstanding business it is today!.
Janice's adds:
"All kids are unique. I try to take their individual temperaments, including any fears or anxieties, and learn for that child how best to teach him/her to swim and be water-safe. As for my instructors, I choose my staff based on experience with all ages and abilities, as well as his/her ability to understand a child's strengths, weaknesses, and psyche. When to push, when to hold back, and what step to take to achieve our goals is key. The final ingredient to an outstanding instructor is someone who genuinely cares about each and every child and has patience. I personally enjoy teaching the Parent/Tot class at Fitness Forum. It thrills me to see the little ones, even at 15 months old, going under water and kicking their little legs to get through the hoola-hoop. I also love to see that same child a year later doing well enough to join the "big boy/girl" class, and then swimming before he/she turns three."
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Gretchen Stalnaker - Waterworks On Wheels, Inc./FitnessFest
Gretchen Stalnaker, BA English (ASU), headed west to Arizona from West Virginia in late 2000 to attend Arizona State University. After completing her degree, Gretchen worked as an editor, trainer and instructional designer for several years before meeting Janice Jaicks and accepting the opportunity to work for this unique and exciting business.
Gretchen currently serves as the office manager/coordinator for both Waterworks On Wheels and FitnessFest...so it's very likely that you'll spend time on the phone with her when contacting our office!
Janice's notes: Without Gretchen running the ship, the ship would have crashed and/or lost course more times than I'd like to mention. Everyone who runs an office, a business or a company needs someone who can "keep it together", and Gretchen IS what keeps Waterworks and FitnessFest going and growing.
Her humble bio does not indicate her assets, which include organization, dedication, intelligence, diligence, friendliness in person and on the phone, and being a fantastic edit person and writer. When you have a small business, it is also important to have someone you can trust and someone who is loyal. I am lucky to have this in Gretchen.
Together we look to continue to bring you excellent customer service, as well as great service with swim lessons and with our fitness conferences.
Instructor: Christina Haneghan
Christina Haneghan, BA Kinesiology (Exercise Science), has been in aquatics for nine years. Christina serves as Waterworks On Wheels' lead instructor, assisting with new-hire training, client scheduling and other various tasks (in addition to teaching swim lessons every Saturday).
When she isn't working for Waterworks, Christina works for a cardiac clinic in Mesa, AZ.
Some of Christina's other interests include health and wellness and sports medicine. Christina spends her free time exercising, watching sports, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family.
Recently, one of our clients shared a wonderful note with us about Christina:
"We wanted to drop a note about our children's swim instructor, Christina. She is such a phenomenal swim instructor. She is very aware of the kid's abilities and challenges each child to his own level even within the same class. She is also firm, yet gentle and so very patient. Kids will often try to get out of doing things that are challenging (e.g. by whining) but Christina never falls for this; she has a very gentle but firm way of getting the kids to participate. The other parents also always comment on how patient and good she is. She always stays calm even with the frequent whining or disruption (the kids that scream through entire session or that won't sit still). I don't know how Christina does it! We believe that Christina is truly an asset to your school. We really appreciate having her and our kids look forward to going to swim class each week mostly because of her." -Viviana
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Adult Instructor: Connie Lagerhausen
Connie has been an aquatic fitness professional and swim instructor since 1978, and is certified in all areas of aquatics. While living in the Midwest, she was an Aquatics Director for the YWCA in Lafayette, IN and also helped build the YMCA swimming program in Mattoon, IL.
During her extensive career in the Valley, Connie has taught continuing education classes with Waterworks On Wheels, helped Janice to facilitate several of the classes she still currently offers at her FitnessFest conferences, and developed a program for Waterworks On Wheels for adults of all abilities (novice to Ironman) that is still in use today.
Connie also teaches several water aerobics classes for Fitness Forum in Chandler. Along with 30 years' experience teaching fitness and lessons, Connie has raised a family of athletes - placing her at the top of her game and a huge asset to our program.
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Instructor: Elizabeth "Libby" Dohm
Elizabeth Dohm is in her second year at ASU Polytech Campus as a pre-veterinarian major. As a young woman,
Substitute Instructor: Promise Manning
Promise Manning grew up in the Puget Sound area of Washington. Her mother introduced her to swimming at 6 months of age, and as a child she swam almost every day at the local public indoor pool. In high school, Promise joined the swim team and got a job as a lifeguard at a water theme park.
She then worked for the local YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor, where she wrote a teaching manual that she shared with her fellow employees and where she was regionally recognized for her teaching skills with children. For the past four years, Promise has taught swim lessons for Waterworks On Wheels in both the indoor facilities and backyard program.
She is rewarded each time she sees a child's eyes light up when he/she realizes a new skill has been accomplished. Promise is working on an Education degree, enjoys teaching Middle Eastern belly dance, and plans to travel the world.
"Our backyard lessons are going very well. We see the kids making big improvements after each lesson. Promise is an excellent teacher." - Carolyn
Instructor: Kat Stanny
Katerina graduated from Masaryk University (Czech Republic) with a Masters Degree in Teaching and Physical Education. Since that time, Kat continues to further herself personally and professionally by obtaining certification for the following: Aerobics Instructor, National Strength and Conditioning Council Personal Trainer, Water Safety/Swimming Instructor, Skiing and Dance Instructor. Kat is a competitive athlete in gymnastics, swimming, dance, aerobic marathons and recently took 3rd place in the California Women's Figure Fitness Competition.
Swimming has been a part of Kat's routine for a long time -- she started swimming laps from a very young age and continued on through her adult life. She taught swimming in the Czech Republic during the time she was in school, while coordinating after-school programs, dance and other sports activities for children at the same time! Kat eventually moved to California, became a personal trainer and worked as a swimming instructor during the summers. Kat now has a daughter, Sofia, who loves the water too! We are so thankful that Kat has found a new home with Waterworks On Wheels! Kat currently instructs on Saturdays at Fitness Works Chandler.
Instructor: Taylor Wiltsie
Taylor Wiltsie currently instructs at Fitness Works Chandler and Fitness Works Gilbert, so you can find her in the pool almost every day of the week. Taylor comes to Waterworks with several years experience (even though she's one of our youngest instructors!) and has been a "lifesaver" -- she is always ready to take on each session with energy and enthusiasm!
Instructor: Sarah Nusz
Sara is one of the newest additions to our Waterworks On Wheels team, but certainly not new to teaching swim lessons. A sophomore at Arizona State University studying Global Studies, Sara began lifeguarding three years ago and quickly moved into instructing. She loves teaching kids to swim while still having fun in the water, and fell in love with teaching lessons since the first day she started! Swim lessons are something that Sara wakes up and looks forward to doing each day, as well as seeing all the little smiling faces. In the future, Sara hopes to operate her own non-profit organization to stop human trafficking.
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