Inclusion in Swim Lessonss by Kelsey

Inclusion in Swim Lessonss by Kelsey - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

The cold water splashes my face as the swimmer jumps in the water. I catch my breath and watch as he exits the pool safely, and I look at the line of students on the wall. Each student has either an extreme fear of water or an intellectual and developmental disability. I feel pride as I remember how far my students have come, despite how nervous I was to go out of my comfort zone.

That month challenged me and changed my outlook on my job completely. Every single student who steps into the pool is experiencing life in such a way that I may never completely understand. I don’t know how their morning went, how their parents speak to them, or how they experienced water before our lesson. With this realization, I wanted to work on adapting my lessons to each student's individual needs. I wasn’t able to perfect the way I taught immediately, nor do I claim to be perfect now, but I began taking a second to look at each student individually while teaching. I saw how they listened and understood what I was saying, then I met them in the middle. My strength and role as a swimming instructor went from just a job to a passion.

This past April, I helped open a new pool dedicated to teaching students with ASD, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and physical disabilities. I have no plans of stopping this passion. My career goal is to become a physical therapist. I would love to specialize in helping children with disabilities in sports. I believe I will succeed in this career because of how my experience has shaped the person I’ve become. It is important to push someone to challenge themselves while also showing kindness to help increase their confidence. A simple smile of reassurance when someone walks into a room can make them feel more welcomed than anything, and that is something to be remembered for.