Testimonials
Ms. Melina & staff have made swimming fun for my 5 year old son. He arrived for his lessons with the basics and a desire to swim. Within 2 days he was swimming across the pool - Pteradactyl style (butterfly). Melina has an incredible coaching style that her staff have obviously been trained on. Children listen and learn instantly. She encourages children to work hard and play hard. I am eager to get my 2 year old in the water. Melina & staff are highly regarded swim instructors.
Ft. Bliss Texas,
April 30. 1986
SUBJECT: Letter of Appreciation
1. I would like to express my personal gratitude and sincere appreciation to you for the outstanding program you have developed for the Youth Activities Swimming Program.
2. Your dedication and devotion reflect the highest standards and professionalism. Your total commitment to the Youth at Ft. Bliss is a credit to you and the Military Community.
Richard J. Barker
Youth Activity Director
Department of Army, Headquarters U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss
Youth Activities Branch
August 31, 1987
To Whom it May Concern:
Melina R. Slotnick served as Swimming Instructor for the Youth Activities Branch, under my supervision from 1 Dec 86 to 31 Aug 87. During this time she was responsible for rebuilding a swimming program, that was on the verge of being cancelled. From a program that had a total of 4 participants she built it into the highest revenue generating program in the Youth Activities Branch.
Single-handedly she taught over 250 children a week her first summer, and over 1800 students to swim during this time period. She also expanded the classes to include water aerobics, synchronized swimming and adapted aquatics. Her students ranged in age from 6 months to 88 years.
Melina was responsible for the entire program. In addition to teaching the youth, she collected activities fees, made deposits, publicized her classes and kept records on all her students. She also volunteered for the Special Olympics and the American Red Cross. During my tenure as her supervisor, there was never any problem with any phase of her program. She is the best instructor that I have seen in the area of aquatics.
It was a pleasure to work with Melina. She runs and excellent program. I would certainly recommend her without any reservation whatsoever and if the opportunity presents itself, I would certainly welcome the opportunity to work with her in the future.
Scott G Radosevich
Director
Youth Services Branch
June, 1999
El Paso Texas
Melina,
Thank you for all you've done with the boys. They have come leaps and bounds and "big arms" from a year ago. Often times as you P.C.S, one recalls the highlights of a tour, leaving El Paso is exciting for us. When we look back later, swimming for the boys will be one of the biggest "pluses" for us here. Chris and I are impressed with your teaching skills and enthusiasm. Good Luck in Atlanta, and in all you do. Maybe some day our "swim lanes" will cross again. Many thanks, Susan & Chris, Christopher & Jonathon
December 2000
Dear Melina,
Katrina really enjoyed her year on the synchronized team. Her team (6 girls) and trio (3 girls) routines received the string of gold medals. Her individual figures (especially her ballet leg) improved a lot by the end of the year. Her coach always used Katrina as an example of haw the eggbeater should be done. We really appreciate the foundation you gave her.
The other two kids are taking swimming lessons again at the YMCA and doing well. Bethany is still a little fish and loves the water.
We miss Ms. Melina. You are the best!
Tana, Korey, Katrina, Matthew and Bethany
July 12, 2000
Hi Ms Melina,
Matthew and Margaret are taking red cross swimming lessons and Margaret keeps asking me when they are going to teach 'Chocolate Swimmerman!' Your swimming instruction should be patented if there is such a thing. The Red Cross lessons are good and the children will keep up their skills but the lessons don't hold a candle to yours. I tried to sign Michael up for life saving classes (that they advertised) but they told me no one wants to take them. This area certainly doesn't lack in kids, money nor resources. I just couldn't believe it. They have a swim team here at the pool, so I don't know whether that has taken away any desire for lessons or not.
Anyway, we miss your lessons but are so happy that they got their terrific foundation from you. Hope all is well with all of you.
Take care,
Ann Davies
Melina
Thank you so very much for being such an inspiration to Sonja and Ryan for swimming. You are such a wonderful teacher. We will miss your smiling face. Your crazy personality, your wonderful and fun laugh. I know you made things easier for Sonya because you are great with kids. You will be missed so very much by all the kids and parents here in El Paso.
The kids (Sonja and Ryan) like me to play 'you ' when we swim. We wish you all the best. Maybe we will meet up again.
May God bless you and your family!
Julie & Greg, Sonja & Ryan
June 29, 1999
To whom it may concern:
On the past six months my three year old daughter was taking swim lessons with Melina at Replica Pool, Ft. Bliss Texas.
I never see before a teacher with this knowledge and experience that provided enthusiasm and loved teaching, such as Ms Melina. She has patience and imagination; she gave hugs and kisses to our children and the parents can participate in classes.
My daughter does not understand english and this not an impediment to learn with Ms Melina. now my daughter, can swim armfuls, under water, butterfly style, back armful, submerge and float.
I recommend Ms Melina unreservedly to teach swim lessons for children and people of all kind of ages. Don't deny your children the opportunity of learning how to survive under water conditions and have fun at the same time.
Sincerely,
Taynna V. Cabrera
July 24 1999
To whom It May Concern:
Melina R. Slotnick has been the swimming instructor for my children the last two years. She has done an outstanding job. It is evident through her teaching that she is very passionate about what she is doing. Observing her classes, she has demonstrated a real "knack" for teaching children of all ages and ability to swim. Through her kindness, patience, and encouragement, Melina was able to help my youngest son overcome his fear of the water and turn him into a 'swimmer.' My other two sons have also benefited greatly from Melina. She helped them to develop into stronger swimmers. Melina Slotnick and her unique teaching approach to swimming will greatly be missed. She will be a tremendous asset wherever she goes.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Melodie Bell
June 23, 1999
To whom it may concern,
I would like to take this opportunity to let you know the wonderful talents of Melina Slotnick. My boys, age 3 and 5, have been students in her swim classes for the past year. A year ago, they were what we used to call "clingers," holding on to the instructor for fear of the water. Today, not only is it hard to get my sons out of the pool, but also they have the basic concepts of freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, treading water, surface dives and most importantly, basic water safety. Mrs Slotnick strongly believes that learning to swim is a survival skill and I couldn't agree more.
I feel specially qualified to evaluate Ms Slotnick's teaching skills, having also worked for many years as a swim instructor, lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, preschool teacher and parent. Her superb enthusiasm, joy and excitement are both uncommon and unparalleled.
She is always prompt and she makes maximum use of her instruction time with the students, teaching the children new skills with motivational games and gentle discipline. She obviously loves to "play" as she fosters new skills while refreshing old ones. She is extremely resourceful, always able to find the right prop for the right student, her bucket of toys is bottomless, ranging from pizzas, to snakes, to dinosaurs. She has truly mastered the ability to keep the children's attention and excitement through example and encouragement.
I wish our paths did not have to part. Melina has been an asset to the military community here at Fort Bliss. She will absolutely excel in any existing swim program and I know she would be a great foundation for a new program.
Susan Corbett
To the Editor of the Monitor,
Ft. Bliss Texas
July 1999
Fort Bliss has been blessed with a true treasure these last couple of years. Melina Slotnick, a swim instructor without equal and an enthusiastic, caring human being, has been teaching the children of Fort Bliss as only she can.
Single-handedly, Melina has taught children of all ages how to swim. Her self-developed method teaches children the mechanics of swimming in such a fun-filled fashion that even the most reluctant of beginners walks away with confidence and a love of swimming. My children are always eager to get to swim class to see what excitement Melina has in store for them.
Melina's method is truly fabulous in and of itself, but the icing on the cake is that she sincerely cares about each and every one of her swimmers. She makes every child feel as though he/she is important to her. This develops in them the confidence to succeed. Her enthusiasm and her love of working with children, coupled with her technical abilities, have formed a proven method.
Unfortunately for our community Melina is moving on to her family's next assignment in Atlanta. She will be sorely missed, as her dedication and success in teaching our community's children has made Fort Bliss a better place.
Best of luck Melina and Swimmerman! You will be fondly remembered by hundreds of children for years to come as they big arm, pterodactyl, zip-bird-pencil, and Chocolate-Swimmerman their way across the pools of America.
Alexander Swank
Jonesboro, Georgia
May 15, 2001
Dear Melina,
I want to thank you for the wonderful job you did in teaching my granddaughter how to swim. You are an incredible teacher. After watching you work with the small children, I am even more impressed with the way you make the little ones feel comfortable with you and in the water. By the third lesson, Brooke could swim!
You have won my family's appreciation and respect by your methods: You do not let the children get away with anything, yet you inspire confidence and respect for your rules.
I would not hesitate to recommend you to others who are looking for a positive experience in their children learning to swim. Thank you again for a job well done.
Sincerely,
Nancy Barrowclough
Letter from "my" Lifeguards at Ft. Bliss
February 4 2000
Ft. Bliss, Texas
Hi Ms Melina,
I just wanted to tell you, that Brad and I started a swim lesson program after you left El Paso. And now we are training Brandi. I love it. The kids are wonderful, they teach me so much and they are always making me laugh. I never really knew how good it feels when you see one of your students swimming and know that they are swimming because of you. I don't think any job could make me feel as good as teaching little ones how to swim. I now understand why you love it so much, I am really glad to have met you and learn so much from you in such a short time. Please keep in touch, and have fun.
With all my Love,
Andy
September 11th, 2004
Ms Melina,
I wanted to thank you so much for all your help with the swimming lessons. your encouragement made all the difference in letting me realize that I could do this. you really helped me start to achieve something I always wanted to learn. thank you, and I still want to continue with you in the near future.
Your friend, Nancy
Friday, June 04, 2004
Dear Mrs Melina
Thank you for the swimming lessons. My favorite part of the swimming lessons was learning the swimmerman technique. It was hard keeping my head down, but looking at the frogs and ducks were a big help. now I'm confident about my new swimming skills. Thank yousoooooooooo much!!!
Sincerely,
Avanti XXXXX
Quick Comments from Swimmers & Parents:
-I am highly grateful to have found such an outstanding program and look forward to the next session. M.P. Freeman
-Melina restored my daughters'confidence after a very bad experience. My daughter is swimming wonderfully now and her fear of water has been over come. Thank you....
-My son is doing very well with his instructor, I've signed him up for another month. He likes and gets along with the teacher well.
-Couldn't have had a better instructor! wonderful with the children.
-The instructor is patient, kind, demanding and held in high esteem!
-Price for lessons is very fair. The instructor is well prepared to train and encourage the children to be the best.
-Best Program we have ever been involved in!
-Very consistent, shows much concern for students. Great rapport
-I feel we are very fortunate to have found such a program.
-Melina Slotnick is a jewel. She has a wonderful ability to instill confidence in our children. We are very fortunate to have her.
-I was glad I was not required to go in the water and help. It would have been a nightmare. The instructor took a cheerful but no nonsense approach with my son which was very effective.
-Ms Melina is the first instructor who has ever bothered to tell me what my son was doing wrong and how to help him improve his strokes, she is excellent!
-Melina is the best instructor any of my children have ever had. She does wonderful handling of the little ones who are scared to death. Many instructors lack the understanding and discipline it takes to handle this. My daughter although afraid of the water, came to class smiling because she loved her teacher.
-Melina took a child who could swim a little bit but hated it. And now has her begging to go to the pool. My daughter would never go off the board before or go in over her head - now she does it all. Ms Melina you are Great!
-Melina did very well with the children. She won their confidence in the first lesson. She is a very gifted teacher.
-I am very pleased. I will continue to enroll my child in swim classes.
Melina really won the kids confidence fast. I was very surprised by that. They all loved which made a very good learning experience for them.
-I am very happy with the class and Christy wants to go on and keep learning! Nichol Brown
-Melina continues to do a super job. This is our son's 2nd session and he's done well under Melina's guidance. She demands the children to listen and follow directions - an excellent quality of a good teacher. We appreciate her concern for correctness and proper swimming habits. We will remain in this program as long as we live here.
-Mrs Slotnick's program is the best I have encountered.
-Glad I signed up. Rick was eager to come every morning.
-Instructor's concern and dedication has meant a lot for my children and myself.
-I appreciate the individual attention given when needed. my child feel good about herself even though the other children were more advanced. The distance we drive, over 15 miles, through traffic, and other scheduling conflicts, still make it worthwhile journey and there is no other program I would enroll my daughter in.
-Melina is by far the best instructor my children have had. My daughter's progress has been remarkable, going from a crying child, not wanting to come, to a child who loves to come to lessons and wants to come everyday. Melina is the primary reason for this.
-I appreciate the individual time and attention given to my daughter. She wasn't made to feel inferior to the other kids who had taken lessons longer. The other parents were also so supported and encouraging. They insisted I tough it out and let Ms Melina take care of my child, that she is amazing.....
-Melina has done a miracle job. From a very frightened child to swimming child. We are very proud of the program but especially Melina's handling of the fears of a child. Thanks.
-Melina is a super teacher, I am especially happy with her ability to communicate to the kids what she expects from each of them yet they are always anxious to come back even though they are scared. I know that she will change that in them soon.
one below is for a toddler +
-Melina's firm with the children - but she's also fair and kind. When questions arise, she's always ready with an explanation. She also explains to those parents at the lesson, what the progression is for the different strokes, etc. She does a super job and we are pleased with her and her program. Our son has become more confident in the water through her encouragement and teaching.
We would love to hear your testimonial too.
If you have anything you would like to share,
please send it to info@swimmerman.com
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