GHS Grad Receives Prestigious Award In MN

Glasgow High School alum Blake Beatnik le Saint (Bowker) was selected as the Minnesota Society of Health and Physical Educators' (MNSHAPE) Aquatics Teacher of the Year. The award ceremony took place during the MNSHAPE State Conference at Lakeville South High School earlier this month in front of family, friends and colleagues. As a result of this award, le Saint will be able to submit materials to be considered for the Central District Teacher of the Year and then Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) National Teacher of the Year.

le Saint got his start as a swim instructor in the early 2000s when he became a lifeguard for the city of Glasgow and then moved up to head lifeguard then manager. "Rod Karst trained me to be a swim instructor. That was my first official job. Ever since then I have been a swim instructor, whether it's been a full-time job or on the side," reflected le Saint. "It provides me with a great sense of enjoyment and meaning. I even remember my first ever student that I taught!"

After approximately 20 years of being a swim instructor on-and-off around pursuing other full-time passions and interests, this past February le Saint developed his own swim academy named Mr. Blake's Swim Academy. He currently rents pool space in the suburbs of Minnesota and teaches adaptive swim lessons, neurotypical swim lessons and swim instructor classes. Since he started this academy, he has taught close to 700 lessons to people of all ages and abilities. "I currently serve the special needs demographic and would say about 98 percent of my lessons are adaptive swim lessons where the students have cognitive and/or physical disabilities," explained le Saint.

The relationship he has built with his students, their families and caregivers is what got him first nominated for the MNSHAPE Aquatics Teacher of the Year award. "I was nominated by my wife and a handful of swim clients, which just got my name to be nominated. Once the nomination occurred, then letters of recommendations and resume needed to be submitted. In the end I received nine letters of recommendations! It is very flattering that these families took the time to write the recommendations to ensure I get the award," stated le Saint.

le Saint admits he has been labeled Coach Blake and Minnesota Aquaman, however his favorite nickname is Mr. Blake, a beloved term which was sweetly uttered in 2011 by a four-year-old student. Ever since then, the name has stuck and eventually became the name of his academy. "Over the years, this industry has taught me compassion tempered by trust which has impacted countless lives. I attribute my success in my innate ability for community engagement," reflected le Saint. "The meaningful relationships I've forged and magic I've conjured with hundreds of students and their families have added value to my life and changed the lives of others."

Being a full-time swim instructor and providing lessons to the special needs community was not always a life plan for le Saint. He stated throughout the years, it just became a gradual pull. After graduating from GHS, he was awarded a music scholarship to attend college in North Dakota. After graduation, he moved east and made his home in Minnesota where he was able to further explore the art world. He was able to participate in the film community, and was also even hired on as a professional piano player.

"From practicing to playing by myself to participating in the Twin Cities art world, to making independent films with professional actors, being in Minnesota has allowed me to indulge my interests and create an opportunity for participation in the film community," explained le Saint. He admits he never thought he would be foregoing his fine arts career to be a full-time swim instructor but enjoys serving and giving back.

"The special needs community is underserved. It's very important to me to understand the meaning of life, and to me that's about leaving it better than we find it," said le Saint. "The best way to do that is being an instructor/teacher. I find immense meaning in teaching, training and mentoring in lessons."

Though he never thought he would be wearing swim trunks as often as he is now, he hasn't forgotten the life lessons he learned in Valley County and Glasgow, which have helped him achieve his goals in life. "I have taught people of all ages and abilities, from eight months old to 70-years-old who was a retired Hells Angel and had lost his leg in accident. The Glasgow Pool and my first official job taught me so much," stated le Saint.

For more information on le Saint's academy visit his website, http://www.mr-blake.com/.