For more than 20 years Connie Klaas has taught swim lessons at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA. She’s been with the Y even longer (25 years) teaching group water exercise classes.  So what’s kept her at the Y for so long?

“I really enjoy working with the kids and seeing how much they improve and grow in their swimming,” Klaas said. “Seeing them be able to get skills they weren’t able to do at the beginning and seeing them grow and be more comfortable in the water is enjoyable.”

Oftentimes those same kids return to the Y in a different capacity.

“I’ve seen the kids I’ve had in swim lessons become lifeguards and instructors,” Klaas said.

She’s also seen the impact that the Y can have on people and the community, through the building of friendships. No matter the age, people make connections at the Y.

“I think that through the adults and through the swimming lessons I can see the friendships, especially with the adults,” Klaas said. “There’s also the parents and the kids that form friendships.”

Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA Aquatics Director Shelley Lechnir estimates that Connie has taught thousands of youth how to swim through the years.

“She is the heart and soul of swim lessons at our Y,” Lechnir said. “Her kind and gentle approach makes even the most scared child comfortable. She now leads the way in training new instructors to carry on her legacy.”

Lechnir said she loves to hear from parents who are bringing their kids to swim lessons who Connie taught when they were kids. Klaas said every day when she comes to the Y she feels the positivity in the building.

“What makes it enjoyable is the positive atmosphere that the Y has,” Klaas said.

Great memories are regularly shared on social media about Connie’s impact on people through the years, especially when current photos are shown of her teaching lessons to kids.

“It just fills my heart,” Klaas said. “I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh I really did that.’”