Meet Leala

Where Water Safety Meets Enchantment

With over 15 years of teaching experience and a lifetime spent in the water, Leala Lierman brings a unique blend of safety, education, and magic to every lesson. As a life long learner, she has dedicated the last five years to mastering survival swim techniques and competitive coaching.

My Teaching Philosophy: Meeting Students Exactly Where They Are

I believe that every student’s journey in the water is unique. My approach integrates child development milestones with individual learning needs to ensure that instruction is both age-appropriate and personally effective.
For many students, navigating the water is the first time they face a potentially life-threatening environment without their parents. I recognize the weight of this milestone. My focus is on helping students master their nervous system in the face of this challenge. By weaving regulating practices directly into my lessons, I help students move past fear and into a state of calm, capable confidence.

A Foundation of Expertise

Life in the Sierras & Beyond

Leala’s instruction is backed by academic rigor and high-level certifications:

  • Educational Background: Leala graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She also has an Associates of Applied Science in Deaf Studies from Western Nevada College.
  • Inclusive Communication: Leala is hard of hearing and has ADHD. She brings that lived understanding of different learning styles into every lesson. She is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and loves working with students with a variety of learning needs.
  • Advanced Waterman: PADI Certified Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air, and Wreck Diver.
  • Professional Mermaid: Certified by both SSI (Scuba Schools International) and the International Association of Mermaids, Leala has performed as “The Mermaid of Lake Tahoe” since 2018.
  • Multi-Sport Instructor: Leala spent seven winters in Lake Tahoe as a ski school instructor. She brings a variety of teaching tools along with a deep understanding of seasonal outdoor safety.
  • Certifications: Float to Stroke© Instructor by Aquatics Academy, SSU Swim Instructor, American Red Cross Lifeguard (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid.

When she isn’t teaching, Leala is an avid explorer of the incredible landscape we call home. In her free time, you’ll find her hiking, paddleboarding, skiing, or backpacking through the Sierras with her partner and their dog. She is also the Mermaid of Lake Tahoe, a professional mermaid and environmental educator dedicated to teaching sustainability and “Leave No Trace” ethics to the next generation of explorers.