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!
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 at around 2 years old. She started assisting with swim classes with her stepmom by age 5! Whether it was a student who 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 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!
Steven Johnson
With three siblings who all swam competitively, as well as his older brother being a year round swim coach for one of the top programs in the nation, Steven has been surrounded by swimming his entire life. He grew up competing until shoulder surgeries on both shoulders forced him to pause for recovery. During this time, he found a passion for coaching swimming...must run in the family! Steven became the head coach of a summer league team at 18 and shortly after was asked to join the year-round coaching staff as an assistant. After the past 3 years of serving as the Head Coach for Lifetime, a competitive team in Georgia, Steven has moved to Bradenton to join the Lil' Guppies team and start his next adventure!
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.