Amy Diamond
Owner & Lead Instructor
Amy is the owner & lead instructor for Lil' Guppies Swim School. Amy grew up on the east coast and fell in love with the water at a very young age. She was always the first one in the pool and the last one out! Amy swam competitively from age 8 through college. She competed in butterfly, backstroke, the IM and freestyle relays and still enjoys swimming on Masters club teams. Amy has always loved working with children and so it was a perfect combination of passions to start teaching swim lessons at the young age of 15. Amy has now taught lessons for over 25 years, and has lifeguarded and coached age group swim teams on both the east and west coasts. She started Lil' Guppies Swim School in 2006 in Los Angeles, and recently upon relocating in 2020, has established a branch of the school in Sarasota, FL! Amy is also an acupuncturist, children's book author, and mom to two boys, ages 12 and 6. They are the original lil' guppies and love swimming just as much as their mom!
Tyler Hull
Tyler has been paddling around the water since before he could crawl! He has over six years of aquatics experience in employment as well as competitive swimming experience in his youth. He is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois and is now enrolled at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. He has taught lessons to every skill level possible with participants of all ages and backgrounds! Tyler is also a certified Lifeguard Instructor. He has high energy and loves to make each and every lesson fun!
Monica Hershman
Monica Hershman was born and raised in North Jersey. She grew up with a swimming instructor as a step-mom! Naturally, Monica became an instant water baby and learned to swim around 2 years old. She started assisting with swim classes with her step-mom by age 5! Whether it was a student needed more individualized help, or to encourage swimmers to face a fear in the water, Monica quickly became a pro. Monica competed in swimming and diving both at the YMCA & JCC, and went on to attend the University of Arizona, where she studied child psychology as her major. She loves working with infants, children, and people with special needs. She has taught almost all of her friends to swim and their younger family members! Monica is also a mom to a one year old son, Brian, and enjoys splashing around in the water with him whenever possible!
Ali Hays
Ali is a full time solo mom to two beautiful girls, ages 5 and 7. They have lived in the sunshine state for 5 years now. Ali swam competitively for 13 years, and naturally, grew into becoming a swim instructor and lifeguard! Ali and her daughters love going to Disney and are always in the water, riding the waves at the beach or swimming in their pool together at home. Ali recognizes the importance and concern as parents raising little ones surrounded by water here in Florida, and strives to ensure that all students she teaches are safe and confident around water. Ali loves being in the water and working with children; we are excited to welcome her to the team!