Laura Garner

Biography

Laura Garner has over 35 years of experience in aquatics. She began at 15 years of age with an American Red Cross certification in lifeguard, and working at a public pool. After earning a degree from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Political Science, her professional career began in 1988 as Associate Director of Safety Services for the American Red Cross, Greensboro Chapter. Following, she became the Assistant Director for Health Services at the Northwest North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross. She built the chapter's regional aquatics by managing and supervising over 200 instructors in Forsyth,Davie and Yadkin Counties. She also recruited and trained many that were volunteers in aquatics. She initiated a free "Learn to Swim" program for preschoolers to senior citizens that occurred annually for two weeks throughout a four county district. Next, she pursued a Master's Degree from Salem College in the art of teaching, leading her to teach at two title one elementary schools in the WSFCS system as a second and third grade teacher for nine years. She currently holds a position as Aquatics Director at WSSU and faculty for the Health, Physical Education and Sports Studies Department. She has taught basic swimming lessons at public, private, college and universities pools in the area. Her certifications held are American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor that she acquired at 18 years of age and Lifeguarding Instructor, Open, Advance and Rescue Diver in PADI certifications.and CPO, as well as academic teacher certification for K-6th grades. She is Member of International Diversity of Aquatics.