Kaylee grew up in the Bay Area and already had a lot of experience helping kids code before coming to Breakout Mentors. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and is extremely engaging for some of our younger students. Let’s get to know her a little bit!
When did you start to code?
I was first introduced to coding in middle school when my mom put me in a summer camp where I learned the basics of C++ – one of my projects was making a bare-bones version of Blackjack! I began coding more seriously when I took AP Computer Science during my junior year of high school and have continued taking CS courses at Stanford.
Why is it important for kids to start coding when young?
Coding is not only learning a new language but also learning a new way of thinking. It’s a great way to exercise critical thinking and problem-solving, very valuable skills that will be beneficial in whatever they end up pursuing. In addition, coding is a great way to channel all the creativity and curiosity that kids have. The earlier they are taught to have an innovative mindset, the better!
What do you find rewarding about teaching kids how to code?
When a student finally tackles a challenge they’ve been working on for a long time, it’s an amazing feeling to see their eyes light up and a big smile break out. When students first start coding, it’s really cool to see how amazed they are at what they can do with a little bit of knowledge and how capable they are when facing difficult problems. Being able to help students reach that sense of accomplishment is such a great feeling.