2-minute read
The Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department is looking for new instructors to offer programming and classes in its recreation facilities, according to its website.
The department offers classes at Simpson Park Community Center, Kelly Recreation Complex, Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, Gandy Pool, Simpson Park Pool and Community Center, the Coleman-Bush Building, the Lake Mirror Complex and in its parks.
What they need: Beth Sherling, program coordinator for Lakeland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, said the greatest need is for daytime instructors, fitness-based instructors and instructors for classes at Simpson Park Community Center.
The classes offered range from fitness-based classes such as line dancing and fencing to other classes such as modeling.
According to the department’s program coordinator, it lost instructors when the facilities reopened after the pandemic shutdown.
“Our recreation facilities are always open to new ideas and new opportunities to be able to expose the community at large to different ways to come together,” said Sherling.
The recreation division has posted a form on its website, asking people to sign up to teach classes and share their expertise with the community.
Interested: Ambrisha McDonald, 30, a visually-impaired crochet instructor, said she’d love to learn more about the opportunity.
She currently teaches a crochet class at the Lisha Lue Suite, at 1818 Harden Blvd., Suite 100, every second and fourth Sunday of the month starting back up in June. She wants to expand her class offering.
“I would love to teach. I want to broaden the base of my crochet class,” she said.
Current Instructor: For Porcilla “Ziggy” Charlton, 32, the centers have provided a way for her to share her book, “Not Your Average Size,” and modeling talent with youth and young women in Lakeland.
She began modeling when she was 7 and has ripped the runway many times, including during Paris Fashion Week in 2024.
“I was really excited (about offering the classes) because a lot of people reach out to me to get into the modeling industry,” she said.
“I don’t do it for pay. I do it because it’s a passion of mine. When I first started, I didn’t have a mentor or guide.”
Her class, MSquared: Mentoring through Modeling, is held for school-aged children every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and for teens and adults every second and fourth Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Simpson Park Community Center.
She teaches her students model etiquette, life skills such as public speaking and interviewing skills, makeup application and skin care.
“My overall goal is for those who want to pursue modeling to get the skills that they need,” she said.
Instructor pay: The pay range for instructors is between $15-$23 per class, based on their experience and certifications. The classes typically run 45 minutes to an hour.
The recreation division is accepting applicants on a rolling basis.
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
