3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Cecilia Ramirez​ of Coder Kids

Patch partner Cecilia Ramirez of Coder Kids tells us how she first got started in computer science and recommends two great books everyone should read.

Patch: Coding has become such an essential skill in the 21st century workforce. For those who aren't familiar, what is coding and why is it important in today's world?

Cecilia Ramirez: Coding can be simply described as the core building block of all digital technologies. Any website you browse, smartphone app you download, and even the car you choose to drive relies on code. Coding is important in today’s world because every company is a software company and every job will require an understanding of and familiarity with software.

Patch: When were you first introduced to computer science?

Cecilia Ramirez: As a freshman in college, I started my path as a Psychology major, and signed up for Intro to the Internet for Non-Engineers as an elective course, not expecting much of it. But then my life changed forever, because this is where I found Java (a programming language) and instantly fell in love. From that first introduction, I knew that I had found my career choice and quickly made the switch to Computer Science and never looked back.

Patch: If you had to recommend two books to someone, what would they be and why?

Cecilia Ramirez: "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg and "Borderless Leadership: Global Skills for Personal and Business Success" by Zlatica Kraljevic. I personally recommend these books to young women I mentor because they offer inspirational advice on how to build relationships, success and most importantly, yourself. These books are straightforward, mentally stimulating, and written by women whom I consider to be excellent role models.

Patch: Coder Kids helps children to learn how to code at their own pace, slowly building up from fun games to more complex lessons. Why is it important to let each student progress at their own pace?

Cecilia Ramirez: Here at Coder Kids, we want to build confidence in kids who are new to coding while accelerating the growth of advanced coders. Allowing kids to learn at their own pace inspires fearlessness and creativity, and takes away the false expectation that kids need to learn at the same pace, which is exactly what we aim to instill in our kids. Each child is unique, as is their experience with Coder Kids and we hope to build the foundation in which for them to grow and become successful, with practice and patience.

Patch: Minecraft is a part of the Coder Kids curriculum. How do you feel that has Minecraft changed how kids engage with technology?

Cecilia Ramirez: Minecraft revolutionized video games. In Minecraft, kids don’t just play games—they create them. Minecraft motivates kids to engage in the world of computer science, to learn coding skills while having fun.

Patch: How are you involved in the McLean community?

Cecilia Ramirez: Community is part of our core values here at Coder Kids. Community is essential for us to not only teach kids to code, but also to create an environment that enables kids to form friendships and establish a community of fellow coders.

We have partnered with several organizations at the national and community level to support community, including Microsoft, Whole Foods, Northern Virginia Community College, Girls Scouts troops, and Cub Scout packs. At Spring Hill Elementary School, we are excited to be a part of the Bids for Kids Fundraiser to raise awareness in the immense value of a computer science education. Through our Microsoft partnership, we guide coder-novices in a fun way and allow them to experience coding firsthand.

Patch: What is the age range of kids who can be tutored at Coder Kids?

Cecilia Ramirez: Our typical age range is 7-13. However, we base our curriculum around each child's computer experience. Age is just a number, and if a child feels ready, we've had some begin our program as young as 6 with great success.

Patch: What makes Coder Kids stand out from other after school tutoring programs?

Cecilia Ramirez: Coder Kids is different because we have designed an innovative curriculum so that kids can learn at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. We want this to be an enjoyable experience, and we do away with the lecture style approach. (Most kids aren't in the mood for that after sitting in school all day long anyways!)

When CoderKids come to our studio, they login to their own account and get started right where they left off. Our 4:1 tutor ratio provides personalized attention to maximize the CoderKids’ experience. Our courses offer exploratory projects that allows kids to create games, animations, websites, and apps to better gauge their specific interests.

Every child has their own journey with us, and it is our goal to make this a fun experience that will have them eager to learn more about computer science technology.

Patch: How can readers contact you to learn more about Coder Kids?

Cecilia Ramirez: Sarah Levitt, Director of Marketing. 240-838-4884. Sarah@coder-kids.com

There will be free coding classes at Coder Kids McLean on Saturday, October 22 starting at 9 a.m. for the location's grand opening. Beginning at 3 p.m., they'll be kicking off their grand opening party with food, refreshments, giveaways and raffles.