Meet Tatum Allen of Big Blue Apex

With June comes the official start of summer, some seriously hot weather, and our featured staff member for this month, Tatum! We are lucky to have Tatum, the Senior Assistant Manager at Big Blue Apex, as a part of our team and we hope you enjoy learing more about her below!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am 24 years old, and am originally from California before I moved to NC in 2020. I went to school for art, have a cat named Huey who I adore, and am super into musicals.

How long have you been a member of the Big Blue Swim School team?

I have been with Big Blue SESS for a little over a year now! I started as a Jr Asst Manager and am now a Sr Asst Manager.

What is your background?

My first job ever at 16 years was a swim instructor at a different swim school. I have been in the swim industry for 8 years!

What does your job entail?

Being an assistant manager is all about flexibility! My job is to make my GM’s life a little bit easier. Whether that’s with reporting, delegation, hopping into classes, or talking through a one-on-one with parents, I’m more than willing to jump in where I'm needed! On a daily basis, I pretty much maintain the order of the school so my GM can focus on big picture projects and procedures. I act as a tether between my GM, the team, and the parents, helping filter what I can so my GM can focus on the things that truly need her attention.

What is your favorite part about working at Big Blue?

It’s hard to choose just one of my favorite aspects of Big Blue! I love my staff, the kiddos I see on a daily basis, and getting to watch memories being made regularly. I think, however, my favorite aspect of my job is watching my coaches get comfortable in their positions and fall in love with teaching! Getting to see them learn, excel, and progress through different levels and concepts really brings me joy.

Do you have a favorite moment that you’ve been a part of during your time at Big Blue?

My favorite moment I can recall was not too long ago, when I had a mom come in for a trial class. Her son was on the spectrum, and she confided in me that they had visited a couple other swim schools but had been turned away because of her child’s behavior. I assured her that we would take care of her family, letting her know about our Adaptive Swim Lessons in partnership with Swim Angelfish®. Her child did beautifully during his trial lesson, and the mom got emotional from seeing the bond he made with his coach. We signed him up that day for regular classes, and he’s grown so much in such a short time. It was such a beautiful example of why we do what we do!

What is your favorite level to teach?

I LOVE Bold 3’s. They can be a lot given the material, but personally I love getting to balance it all.

What kind of things do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I love to paint, watch movies, spend time with my loved ones, and explore new cities!

How would your team describe you?

I think my team would describe me as bubbly and fun. I am always trying to make my team laugh and lighten their days. I know from first-hand experience how challenging the role of being a Swim Associate or Pool Deck Support can be, so I’m always trying to see what I can do to make their lives a little easier inside the school.

Thank you to Tatum for everything that you do for your staff and families! If you're at our Apex location, make sure to give her a shout-out the next time you're at the pool!