Thank you to all of our customers who nominated their Puddle Ducks teachers for our teacher of the term award! Read the nominations in full here -
Nadine
Is there a minimum amount of words to use??!
Nadine is simply amazing- that is all I need to say in short.
In long, she is understanding, sympathetic, passionate, happy, supportive, friendly, fun, unbiased, interested, caring and most of all genuine. I think you struggle to find all of those qualities in other teachers. She always remembers all of the children's names, whether in catch ups or regular classes.
Matthew has been swimming with Puddle Ducks since he was 12 weeks old and he just turned 3 last month. He looks forward to seeing her in the pool every time and always wants to please her when she gives a task. Thanks Nadine for helping Matthew for the last 3 years- he thinks you're fab! Angela & Matthew
Nadine is an amazing teacher!
She's patient, encouraging and very engaging in her explanations of the different exercises.
The attention she gives each child in the class is perfectly balanced and her teaching methods are confidence inspiring for the parents and children #votenadine Hal & Juno
When Evie started floaties she was the nightmare baby who screamed for the duration of the class. Nadine wasn't phased by this at all and was so patient that it stopped me feeling dressed about it. We moved into splashes but stayed with Nadine and Evie now adores swimming! I can't thank her enough. Jemma & Evelyn
We have recently joined Puddle ducks classes. I have found so far Nadine is excellent. She is patient and very friendly. Certainly recommend for the teacher of the term award! Thanks. Chirag & Param
Very friendly makes lessons fun however I really feel Oakley is learning he is so confident now in the water and when under the water all thanks to Nadine! Kaye & Oakley
Kimberley
Every time we attend our swimming lessons she always makes us feel comfortable and happy. I also think she does so well to keep going throughout the day as there are so many classes she has to do......well done for remembering all the children's names!!!! Good Luck hope you win x Kelly & Alfie
Emerson loves her she always gets a smile even after he goes under the water. Danielle & Emerson
James has been swimming with Kimberley since he was 3 weeks' old. Kimberley worked with him through his first few lessons to build up his and our confidence, when he then completed a full lesson! At 13 months James is now a passionate water baby and can't get enough of the pool; using many of the safety techniques automatically. Its clear just how strong a relationship has been built when we see how excited James gets when we tell him he's going to see Kimberley. Incidentally, 'Duck' is his favourite word! Natalie, David & James
Lisa
She's so friendly and caring as well as really good at her job. She seems to know when you haven't grasped something and will explain it to you again. I trust her 100% with my grandson. She totally deserves this award. Jawid & Rayyan
We have had a few teachers since we have started and she is by FAR the best - most professional, so attentive towards the girls, never stops, is so calm and comforting towards the girls, understanding... so many things that make her amazing. Kat, Matilda & Charlotte
Annabelle has always loved Puddle Ducks from starting as an eight week old floatie with Caroline to being a Little Dipper with Lisa. Lisa has now been teaching Annabelle each week since moving pools as a splasher. We even followed Lisa when Harton classes switched to Percy Hedley. Lisa has eased our usually confident Puddle Duck through a bout of water wobbles not once but twice ! She always knows how to help Annabelle enjoy her lessons while learning new skills, never putting her under any pressure. Annabelle's cheeky smile when she sees Lisa says it all! Kelly & Annabelle
Alfie has only had 2 lessons with Lisa, who immediately made him feel at ease in the water and has shown nothing but patience while also helping Alfie learn and enjoy his time in the pool, he tries his new skills in the bath now too such as kicking and splashing!! Also I feel more confident in holding Alfie in the water as, this was Alfie's first ever experience in water deeper than his bath/paddling pool so massive thanks Lisa for teaching our boy! Craig & Alfie
Lisa is so good at managing both the lesson content and the children (even through distracting tantrums). She makes the effort to try and get the best out of each individual child, getting the focussed and enthusiastic. I've been very impressed. Sarah & Charlotte
Cara
She is brilliant- and although both our children spent the first full year crying whenever she came near them, she persevered and now they love her and so do we ( we also feel like she loves them) Liz & Amadeus
Cara has had a challenge with Zachary who hated every lesson for his 1st year. In Cara's class he has settled down, is secure in the water and has now thoroughly enjoys it. My husband and I just commented the other day that we have the same confidence in Cara as we do in Julie and Claire so I thought she deserved a nomination too. I like how Cara explains the reasons for the exercise and focusses on helping them progress, and she is friendly and welcoming to parents too. Vicky & Zachary
For being so friendly and welcoming as only recently joined. Emma & Ilias
Cara has been so helpful ever since Archie started swimming as a newborn.
Archie's confidence has grew over the past 7 months and so has mine!
I never used to feel confident in the water with Archie (Archie's daddy takes him in usually) and Cara definitely makes me feel more comfortable in the water with him! Bethanie & Archie
We nominate Cara because we think she is absolutely fantastic. She always has a smile on her face and her lessons are fun and full of great activities. Paisley has been in Cara's class since she was 6 months old and she is now nearly 12 months, She has loved every lesson and it is clear she trusts Cara 100% as always has no problem demonstrating the activities with Cara. Excellent teacher wouldn't want to do lessons with anyone else!! Well done Cara!! Emily & Paisley
Claire
Julie and Claire have taught Annabel for over 6 years and are just excellent. They have such a good teaching style that is clear and firm but also warm and welcoming with both the children and parents. Annabel is leaving Puddle Ducks soon as she is now swimming with Tynemouth swimming club and she couldn't have gotten so far due to her fantastic teachers! (Massive thanks to them both!!) Vicky & Annabel
Passionate in her teaching:
Understanding - Claire treats all swimmers as special: Development class is always happy and fun:
Dedication shines through:
Lovely and Lively - Claire is always warm and welcoming: Explains clearly what she expects from her swimmers:
Demonstrates creatively!
Uppermost, Claire is approachable and kindly:
Claire rules okay!!!
Knowledgeable regarding individual abilties:
Smiley, friendly, a definite winner!!
Claire for teacher of the term. Trish & Hope
Lucy has always enjoyed visiting the swimming baths, but would cry if she got water in her eyes and would stick to the grown ups like a limpet. Since starting lessons with Julie and Claire she has become much more confident. She trusts them implicitly and they are fabulous teachers, giving clear and calm directions. Lucy practises her techniques in the bath and when we go swimming as a family because she is able to remember what she has been taught. Julie and Claire encourage Lucy and praise her when she is successful and although she still has a long way to go before she can swim independently, thanks to them both she is now sure that she will eventually succeed. Elizabeth & Lucy
Nicola
Macy was really comfortable in the water with Nicola and we had a great time learning to swim with her. Kristen & Macy
Nicola is an excellent teacher, Isabel loves her classes. She is always friendly and makes the classes fun. Hannah & Isabel
Emily
Emily always goes above and beyond to help Luke, Luke's confidence has shot up massively since Emily has been helping him, Luke goes through phases of not wanting to take part in activities with his mammy Emily sees this and helps Luke take part as well as teaching the class, all I ever hear off Luke now is Emily swimming! Danielle & Luke
Sam
Sam a great teacher, always friendly and always happy to help with questions. Megan & Maisie
Samantha is a very fun and caring teacher. She takes time to work with each child in the lesson and keeps them all very relaxed and happy.
Everything is explained in detail so we understand why we do certain activities.
My son loves swimming and it's mainly down to the teachers!! Sara & Finbar
Rachael
My 2 year old daughter has had 3 lessons. Thanks to Rachael, in that time she's gone from being really nervous, to really confident. Samantha & Caitlyn
Charlotte
Charlotte is very good with the children. She has a really nice personality and can keep the children engaged in the water. She has a lovely manner. Debra & Jeyda
Julie
Julie and Claire have taught Annabel for over 6 years and are just excellent. They have such a good teaching style that is clear and firm but also warm and welcoming with both the children and parents. Annabel is leaving Puddle Ducks soon as she is now swimming with Tynemouth swimming club and she couldn't have gotten so far due to her fantastic teachers! (Massive thanks to them both!!) Vicky & Annabel
Julie has been fantastic in helping build Oliver's confidence in the water, he loves his classes.
She had also been really helpful in supporting me with the correct techniques.
She has a lovely calm manner, we will miss the classes when we have to stop. Erin & Oliver
Julie is fantastic with all of the children in her classes, she has been fantastic with Ella, Ella is progressing so much and also Ella's confidence has grown so much, I believe that is this all down to her teacher, Julie.
Julie is very professional, Julie has a lovely personality and she always seems to be willing to help with anything that she can! She knows all of the children within her class and knows the ability of those children so is able to help the best that she can and get each child to get the most out of each puddle ducks lesson. Julie makes all of her lessons fun and all of the children enjoy them
We couldn't recommend Julie enough! Good luck! Kelsey & Ella
Lucy has always enjoyed visiting the swimming baths, but would cry if she got water in her eyes and would stick to the grown ups like a limpet. Since starting lessons with Julie and Claire she has become much more confident. She trusts them implicitly and they are fabulous teachers, giving clear and calm directions. Lucy practises her techniques in the bath and when we go swimming as a family because she is able to remember what she has been taught. Julie and Claire encourage Lucy and praise her when she is successful and although she still has a long way to go before she can swim independently, thanks to them both she is now sure that she will eventually succeed. Elizabeth & Lucy
Charlie is not the easiest of children to act on instruction. Julie has achieved this along with his confidence in the water. He has come on leaps and bounds in her classes, she is amazing :) Julie & Charlie