Tell us about your background and your journey to CBK.
Veronica: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk a little more about my journey into tech. So, I attended Rutgers University and my background is in mathematics. I got introduced to coding in college, where I took a Python class and a CSS class. While I was there taking programming classes, I understood the material, but didn’t really stick. I didn’t understand enough. At the time, I chose to focus on math instead of tech — but a seed was planted.
After graduating, I worked for a retail company for a few years. A few months after I left that job, a friend of mine was talking about web development. And I was like, “Okay, what’s so exciting about web development?” He was talking about learning about HTML, CSS and Javascript and I just figured that I could do it too.
I had some foundational knowledge so I decided to do some self studying on HTML and CSS before I fully invested in [learning programming]. I learned the basics from Udemy and YouTube. Once I got to more complicated languages like JavaScript, I decided that I needed to take an in-person course. So, I went to a web development boot camp for eight months. It very hard and intense but I truly appreciated that time.
After I completed the bootcamp, the Career Services person recommended Coded by Kids, and I was like, “Wow! That would be awesome, because I do love to share my knowledge.” I was a trainer at my other positions and have taught dance for young girls. Sharing my knowledge is very, very important to me. So I decided to give it a try and that’s how I got here.
“I want students to know that there’s room for them in tech and innovation. Whoever you are, there’s room for you to expand.”
You joined CBK recently. How has the experience as an instructor been so far?
Veronica: I started in May 2021 as an instructor-in-training. Most of my time has been focused on reinforcing my programming knowledge and learning classroom management. Teaching can be difficult. It takes a lot to learn how to break information down so that it is digestible for whoever I’m teaching — even if it’s an eight year old. I’m working to improve my communication skills so that I deliver information in a way that’s easy to understand.
Overall, it’s been exciting because every day is different. One day, I am improving my programming skills. Another day, I am assisting with modifying the curriculum. Each day, I am becoming a better instructor by understanding what my students need to succeed in these courses.
What would you say has been one of your most notable experiences working with students?
Veronica: My first time co-instructing with Justin without our instruction manager was a really memorable experience for me. It was my first time being fully responsible for a class of students. As a first-time instructor, I felt really vulnerable in that moment. I wanted to make sure I said things correctly and helped students grasp new information.
After I did my portion of the class for that week, you know, I gave them homework and was able to see them start working — I was like, “Whew, okay!” To see it actually see something that you taught be applied is an awesome feeling. I just learned this two years ago, so the fact that I am now able to teach it is really, really cool.
What would you say is the reason why you feel strongly, if you feel strongly, that students or kids should be engaged in tech?
Veronica: I think it’s very important that kids get engaged in technology just based on the fact that it’s something that they will use it every day. Why not learn how it works? And there’s so many aspects of it, right? It’s not just about building software or designing websites and apps. Technology is present in almost everything we interact with — from education to sports to healthcare. They’re going to be the ones that create the solutions that improve our lives and better the planet. Why not involved them as early as possible?
What are some of the interesting or unique ways that you’ve seen the kids that you’ve come in contact with,
using technology?
Veronica: It’s interesting when you show a child how to do something and then they take it and just run with it. They don’t wait too long for you to show them how to do something. They test the limit to see how far it can go to add something that you didn’t think about. For example — in one lesson, we were teaching students to add images their websites. One of the students added the image, and then took it one step further and made it a parallax. There are some things that you might not think that they’re ready for, but they are so ready!
Children don’t always need permission like adults — they’re all in! You show them how to do something, and they’re willing to go as far as they can and test limits. I think that’s very interesting. That’s what’s tech is about — trying stuff, stress testing it, and seeing how far it can go until it breaks down.
You’ve talked about instructing in the short term. What impact do you want to have on the organization in the long term?
Veronica: Right now, I’m focused on helping students grow their skills and being a positive influence as an instructor. Long term, I’d love to be able to see some of the students I taught launching startups and raising venture capital.
Ultimately, I just want students to know that there’s room for them in tech and innovation. Whoever you are, there’s room for you to expand. I don’t want any child to think that they don’t belong.
Veronica Barrington-Davis is an instructor-in-training for Coded by Kids. Coded by Kids is a youth tech education non-profit working to develop the next generation of tech leaders. To learn more, visit our website at codedbykids.com.
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