Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine (Katie) Kopp.
Hi Katherine (Katie), can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
About Me: A Life Dedicated to Swimming and Teaching
For over 30 years, I have dedicated myself to teaching children how to swim. As a proud mom of four, I understand the importance of water safety and the confidence that comes with being a strong swimmer. My love for the water started at a young age, and from the moment I began teaching at 15, I knew I had a special knack for working with kids in the water.
Teaching swimming brings me immense joy. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a child go from hesitant splashes to confident strokes. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe and capable in the water. Through patience, encouragement, and proven techniques, I strive to create an environment where children not only learn essential skills but also develop a lifelong love for swimming.
My goal has always been to build confident, strong swimmers while instilling a deep respect for water safety. Swimming is not just a sport or activity—it’s a life skill. Watching children achieve what they once thought was impossible is what fuels my passion every day. Whether it’s their first time in the water or they’re refining their strokes, I am committed to making each lesson a positive and empowering experience.
From my own kids to the many students I’ve had the privilege to teach, swimming has been a constant source of joy in my life. It’s more than a job; it’s my calling. While I am still teaching private lessons in Kansas City, I am also developing an online presence with videos so I can reach more people. I look forward to continuing to share my passion and helping more children discover the confidence that comes with knowing how to swim.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any journey, my path as a swim instructor has had its challenges. Balancing my passion for teaching with raising four children has required patience, adaptability, and a lot of late nights planning lessons and managing schedules. Being a single mom has added an extra layer of difficulty, but it has also made me more determined to succeed and provide for my family while doing what I love.
Building a private swim instruction business wasn’t always easy. There were times when I struggled to find enough students or had to compete with larger swim schools. I’ve had to prove the value of personalized, one-on-one lessons and work hard to establish trust with parents. Weather disruptions, pool availability, and last-minute cancellations have also been obstacles along the way.
But through it all, my passion for teaching and my belief in the importance of water safety kept me going. Every challenge has reinforced my commitment to making a difference in children’s lives. Seeing the progress my students make, watching their confidence grow, and knowing I am giving them a skill that could one day save their life makes every struggle worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in helping fearful children gain confidence in the water. Many children come to me with apprehension, and I take great pride in gently guiding them to feel safe, secure, and excited about swimming. Through patience, reassurance, and a calm demeanor, I help them push past their fears and develop a sense of accomplishment.
What sets me apart is my ability to create a peaceful and structured learning environment. I speak softly yet firmly, giving children clear expectations while maintaining a sense of calm in the water. For example, when preparing a child to go underwater, I say quietly and with confidence, “We are going to go underwater now.” This approach helps build trust and minimizes anxiety, allowing children to embrace each new challenge.
One of the things I am most proud of is the generations of swimmers I have taught. Watching children I once taught grow up and bring their own kids to me for lessons is an incredible honor. It is a testament to the trust families place in me and the lasting impact of my instruction. Seeing my former students go on to be strong, confident swimmers—even lifeguards or swim instructors themselves—is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Through my years of teaching, my mission has remained the same: to create safe, confident swimmers who respect and enjoy the water. Every lesson is an opportunity to instill skills that can last a lifetime, and I am grateful every day to be a part of that journey.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The need for swimming lessons will never go away—people will always need to learn to swim, and new generations are constantly being born. However, I believe technology will allow us to reach even more people in new and innovative ways. While in-person lessons will always be essential, online resources will provide an additional way for parents and caregivers to teach children how to swim at home.
That’s why I am developing online courses designed for parents who want to be hands-on in their child’s swimming journey. Whether you have one child and want to make swimming a special experience between you two, or you have multiple children and are looking for a more flexible, cost-effective approach, these courses will provide structured lessons, videos, tips, and the dialogue I use—methods that have been tried and proven successful with children.
I have also developed a mini-course that will get you started with a few basic skills. This introductory course is only $29 and provides essential swimming techniques to build confidence in the water. Eventually, I will be launching a full course that teaches start-to-finish skills, guiding parents and children through the entire process of learning how to swim.
By combining traditional lessons with digital resources, I hope to make swimming education more accessible to families everywhere. My goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and tools to instill water confidence in their children, ensuring that more kids have the opportunity to learn this crucial life skill, no matter where they are.
Pricing:
- Mini Course $29
Contact Info:
- Website: https://learntoteachswimming.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swimcoachkatiek/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katie.ohlde/
- Youtube: @KatieKopp-22
- Other: https://stan.store/swimcoachkatie
