Coding Lab Educator Feature: Interview with Jessie
Meet our wonderful educator Jessie! A graduate from the NUS Material Science and Engineering course, Jessie was fuelled by her passion for creation and discovery and made the leap into programming - today, she is one of our proactive and nurturing educators at Coding Lab.
In this interview, Jessie shares her insights on her love for coding and highlights from her classes. To all our mothers out there - Jessie also has some insights on coding for kids and to share about igniting your child’s interest in coding!
Hi Jessie! Can you share a bit more about how you got into coding yourself?
Since I was young, I've been fascinated by the process of creating websites and exploring ways to automate everyday tasks, rather than repeating them daily. I believe that finding solutions to simplify our lives is invaluable, which motivated me to begin learning how to code. I'm passionate about using coding to solve everyday challenges and develop programs that can better prepare us for the future.
As a child, did you ever want to work with computers?
Yes, I thought that computers are very cool and important for our everyday lives. Especially being able to find everything on the internet.
What do you like about coding?
I enjoy the creative problem-solving aspect of coding. It's like solving puzzles or crafting something new with each program or project. Coding allows me to bring ideas to life and create solutions that can make a meaningful impact.
Could you share more about some difficulties you faced (if any!) when you first started coding?
When I first started, I definitely had my difficulties with coding. Understanding complex concepts or algorithms initially felt daunting, but with perseverance and practice, I overcame many of these challenges.
At times, the debugging process can be frustrating when I encounter tricky bugs that are hard to find or solve. Also, keeping up with rapid changes in technology and frameworks can be challenging but also keeps things interesting.
I understand that you are a new mother. Could you share your thoughts on whether you would want your child to pick up coding?
Absolutely, I believe coding is a valuable skill that can benefit children in many ways, fostering problem-solving abilities and creativity. I plan to introduce coding gradually in a fun and age-appropriate manner, starting from Primary 1. I look forward to baby-sitting him as I teach!
If you could be any coding software, which one would you want to be and why?
I would probably choose Python because of its versatility and readability. Python is widely used across various domains from web development to data science, and it's known for its simplicity and user-friendly applications.
What’s your teaching style like?
My teaching style focuses on hands-on learning and problem-solving. I believe in providing students with practical coding challenges and projects that simulate real-world scenarios. I also encourage collaboration and peer learning within the classroom.
I ensure that all students feel valued and supported by fostering an open and respectful atmosphere. I adapt my teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and provide additional resources for students who may need extra assistance. Encouraging teamwork and celebrating diverse perspectives also contributes to inclusivity.
What's something you've always wanted to tell your students but never had the chance to say?
One thing I've always wanted to remind my students is to never shy away from failure—because it's often the key to their biggest breakthroughs. I’ve seen even the brightest students face setbacks, but those who dare to challenge themselves and keep pushing through are the ones who grow the most. Each mistake is an opportunity to learn, and every time you pick yourself up, you're one step closer to success. So don't be afraid to stumble, because that’s where the real magic of learning happens.
What’s the most memorable classroom experience you’ve had so far as an educator?
One of the most memorable experiences was seeing a student who initially struggled with coding concepts suddenly have a breakthrough moment in one of the class. Witnessing their confidence grow as they realized they could solve complex problems was incredibly rewarding.
I understand that you’ve recently joined us - is there anything you’re looking forward to at Coding Lab in the future?
I'm excited to continue growing as an educator and exploring new ways to inspire and empower my students. I look forward to witnessing their progress and seeing how they apply their coding skills to innovate and create, especially in competitions that they join.
Thank you Jessie for sharing your journey with us. We're excited to have you on board as an educator and hope you continue to inspire and guide your students, sparking their passion for coding with your enthusiasm and dedication!