Each instructor at Lil' Guppies is handpicked for their experience and passion for teaching kids how to swim. We maintain a fun and safe learning environment in which every child can thrive in. Meet our certified Sarasota instructors below and get ready to make a splash.
Sarasota Instructors
Amy Diamond
Owner & Lead Instructor
Amy is the owner and 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 so it was a perfect combination of passions to start teaching swim lessons at the young age of 15. Amy has 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!
Molly Paolilli
To say that Molly was a water baby is putting it mildly. She learned to swim as a toddler and grew up in a home with a pool that she spent everyday swimming in from late Spring to early Fall with her younger brother. Molly was a competitive springboard diver from middle school through college. After graduation, she had the privilege of coaching competitive and varsity dive athletes at a local dive club and high school in California, where she was born and raised. Molly has enjoyed living in the beautiful state of Florida now for 4 years. In addition to diving, Molly has enjoyed competing in gymnastics, wrestling, soccer, cheerleading, and, more recently, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Molly loves being around the water, whether that is spending time at the beach, surfing, skimboarding, swimming with sharks, or scuba diving! Molly has an absolute passion for helping individuals reach their goals, especially when those goals revolve around sports. She looks forward to working at Lil' Guppies to help teach swimmers of all ages water safety and swimming skills!
Corra Lennox
Corra grew up around water in Minnesota and has always loved swimming. After spending 5 years in the Navy she decided to move to Florida where she found her passion of teaching water safety and swimming skills to families with infants - adults, special needs, and the elderly. She has experience teaching basic skills, competitive swimming, and preparing for military and dive qualifications. When Corra isn't teaching she enjoys going to the beach, hanging out outside and gardening.
Sydney has recently joined the Lil Guppies Swim School team! She looks forward to getting to know you and your families as well as helping them become confident and safe around aquatic environments. Sydney's background is quite impressive; she is a graduate of Nursing School as well as the Department of Children and Family Services' Child Protection Investigation Program, and also has many years of swim instructor experience with all ages, including teaching adaptive lessons for children with special needs. Sydney was a competitive swimmer and diver for seven years. She strives to cater to each individual's needs and looks forward to creating a plan that helps your child excel and be safe in aquatic environments!
Natasha Foreman
Natasha moved to Sarasota from Atlanta, GA, in 2016. She is extremely well-rounded professionally and has worked in many industries. The industry that she enjoys the most is youth and family services as a Nanny & Swim Instructor. Many opportunities Natasha received were in leadership and management, which ultimately influenced her decision to start a business. In 2020, Natasha established Natasha’s Nurturing Nest, LLC, to ensure her missions are upheld and high standards of working with families are maintained. Natasha enjoys a simple yet fulfilled life! Other than being a swim instructor and nanny, she loves all things nature; relaxing near the water, listening to birds chirping, watching the sunset, freelance drawings of nature, crafting, and admiring flowers, plants, and wildlife while taking a stroll.
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Yesenia M-Lee
Yesenia is a passionate seasoned swimming instructor dedicated to
teaching students of all ages and skill levels, including individuals with special needs. She genuinely enjoys creating a fun and engaging
learning environment for all students. Yesenia's vast experience includes teaching both in groups and privately, as well as coaching
swim teams across diverse age groups during summer leagues. She has successfully developed and implemented swimming programs tailored to meet a variety of needs. Yesenia's teaching style is patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic! She strives to adapt her instruction to fit each student’s unique requirements, making learning to swim enjoyable and positive - which is what Lil' Guppies Swim School is all about! Yesenia is particularly passionate for teaching water safety and swimming skills to both children and adults, especially those with special needs.As a proud mother of two, Yesenia has spent many rewarding years working with children in various capacities. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Yesenia moved to the Sarasota area to further for educational, family, and career opportunities.