Senior Timmy Bries is a swimming instructor for children ages six to 12 years old at Pattonville High School. Because of his experience, Timmy has been inspired to pursue a career in teaching  in the future.

“I think it’s nice of him to help kids learn to do that since it’s such a useful skill that you need to know,” Timmy’s sister, sophomore Bridget Bries said.

Timmy worked as a lifeguard over the summer for St. Charles Parks and Recreation and after the park’s season was over, Timmy looked for another job. He came across a flyer asking for people who had lifeguarding experience and who worked well with children. Timmy immediately called for an interview after seeing the flyer, and after going through the proper training for teaching kids how to swim, Timmy started teaching in August.

“This job, it’s not an ordinary job,” Timmy said. “I’d rather be working here than anywhere else.”

Because of the past four months that Timmy has spent working as an instructor, he has been influenced to become a school teacher. Timmy would want to teach gym in order to teach them proactive strategies to help them stay active and healthy.

“He’s a really good teacher,” close friend junior Jessie Define said. “He tells them exactly what to do and he helps them out a lot.”

For Timmy, the thing he enjoys most about working with the kids is the rewarding feeling of helping someone in need. Through the hours that Timmy has spent in the pool, he feels that he has positively contributed to the kids’ swimming abilities and been a role model in their lives.

“You make good money, and it’s also rewarding to help teach these kids to get better at swimming, and then hopefully move on with the swimming to maybe joining a swim team or swimming in high school,” Timmy said.