Frequently Asked Questions
Please be sure to watch our video as it will answer many questions that you may have about the ISR Instructor Training Program.
- How much time should I schedule for the training?
The training has both an in-water application and out of water academic component.
In-water: generally 1.5-2 hours each day, M-F, which allows for 10-12 children for the Student Instructor to work hands on with.
Academics: Plan on about 10- 15 hours per week for self study and 4 hours per week for academic/video workshop with the training Master Instructor.
There are five weekly modules that correspond with each week in water. Week 1 academics are completed before week 1 in-water begins. The same is true for weeks 2, 3, 4 and 5. This allows for in-water application of theory learned in the previous week. Though this curriculum is designed for a 5-week training, the length of training will be determined by the rate at which the Student Instructor completes each academic module and shows an understanding of the theory through application in the water.
- Can a Master Instructor come to my location to train me?
Yes, but there are some logistics that must be worked out in advance.
- The Potential Instructor must secure a facility for the training. A Master Instructor will assist you in securing the facility and will send you examples of facility proposals, as well as coach you with speaking with the facility manager, etc…
- The Potential Instructor will need to assist the MI in finding the 10-12 students needed for the training. ISR National Waiting list will be used in setting up students for your training. Also the Master Instructor will send an informational letter for the Potential Instructor to use for recruiting. All prospective students can email the Master Instructor who will then enroll them in the program.
- We have a limited number of Master Instructors that are able to travel away from their teaching locations. Travel trainings are contingent on the availability of the traveling MIs. Locations with 2-3 Potential Instructors will have higher priority than those with only 1. ISR National also has a list of Potential Instructors that can be used to coordinate regional trainings.
- How do the lessons for the children work?
Children are enrolled by their parents through an on-line registration with ISR National. The fee for each child to register is $105. Each registration is reviewed by a medical team for approval.
Children come every day, M-F, for private lessons that are about 10 minutes long. A 6-12 month old will spend about 4 weeks learning the float and rollback to a float. A child older than 12 months will spend about 6 weeks learning the Swim-Float-Swim technique.
- Is this a one time certification or do I need to recertify?
The training certifies you for one year. Each ISR Instructor is required to recertify every year for quality assurance.
Recertification fees are approximately $500 per year. The requirements to recertify can include attending a conference, submitting a video of the Instructor teaching along with a written critique, on-line curriculums, and/or a pool visit from a Master Instructor.
- Will I need insurance coverage?
As an ISR Instructor, you are required to have insurance coverage through ISR. The premium for this annual insurance is approximately $500 per year. All insurance is renewed annually on May 15th, the policy is effective until May 14th of the following year. New Instructors that finish their training before Nov 15th date will be required to pay the full amount of the premium. After Nov.15th the premium will be at a prorated amount but will renew again on May 15th.
- What are my financing options?
Once you have completed the preliminary interview process your Master Instructor can request the scholarship or loan information be sent to you.
Scholarships: The ISR scholarships are very competitive and are for a portion of the ISR tuition payment. The applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify for the scholarship. There are no scholarships available at this time in 2007. For information about our scholarship opportunities please see our Scholarship page.
Loans: AB Finance Partners is a private lending company that has fully investigated the Infant Swimming Resource mission, business model, and instructor training program and has allocated a portion of its investment capital to help finance the cost of training for qualified Instructor Candidates. Decisions to finance training for Instructor Candidates is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to; credit history, letters of recommendation from the Master Instructor, and amount of financing requested. As a private lending company, they can and do reserve the right to refuse financing for any reason. Their objective is to help ISR expand its presence.
VA Grant for disabled veterans: If you have at least a 10% medical disability from the military you may qualify for a grant through the Veteran Administration for the ISR training. The grant pays for all of the ISR tuition along with other required items you might need to get your new business started. This is a government grant so the processing time can be somewhat lengthy.
- What type of organizational support will I receive after I complete my training?
ISR has many support systems in place for new instructors. Our on-line Instructor Forum, ISRtalk is a website just for Instructors; this website has information ranging from what’s new in ISR, to the posting of important safety information. The information on ISRtalk is almost endless. There is also a link on ISRtalk for new Instructors. Jump Start Your Business link has information regarding “how to do your phone work”, to “how to approach a facility that you would like to teach the ISR program in”.
ISR has Mentoring by a Master Instructor, your MI Mentor will assist you with your on going ISR academic and in water development. Your MI mentor will also be the person you go to with your in water and student related challenges.
ISR has Peer Advisors she is available to help you brain storm ideas and to assist you with any non-student related challenges you might have.
Business Building Coaches are also available to help you get your business going. The BBC is someone that has built a successful ISR business already and will share her experience with you.
On-line Business Center- All of the ISR promotional materials and business supplies are available to you on line. All you will need to do is go to the site, click on the supplies or materials that you need input your information and they will be sent directly to you.