At CodeWizardsHQ, we pride ourselves on our exceptional team of instructors, each bringing their unique story and passion for coding to the classroom. Today, we’re thrilled to spotlight one of our dedicated instructors, Ella Baldoz, whose journey to becoming a coding teacher is as inspiring as it is diverse.
A Journey From Nursing to Coding
Ella’s path to coding wasn’t a straight line. It began in middle school when she casually dabbled in HTML while editing her Myspace and Tumblr profiles. “I was one of those kids on Tumblr, and Myspace type of girl,” Ella recalls. “I was editing my profile, messing with HTML without even knowing really that I was coding.” This early exposure sparked her interest, but it wasn’t until years later that she would fully immerse herself in the world of coding.
After high school, Ella pursued a career in nursing. She became a licensed nurse and worked in the field for several years, including during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after five years, she found herself questioning her career path. “I was really burnt out, and I thought, you know what? Maybe this is not for me,” she reflects. It was during this period of self-reflection that Ella decided to return to something she had enjoyed in the past—coding.
Determined to change her career path, Ella took a break from nursing and began teaching herself coding concepts. She revisited HTML, enrolled in self-paced courses, and even started building her own websites. “I really do enjoy this,” she realized. “This is something that I really want to do.” Her newfound passion led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in software engineering from Western Governors University, a program she completed in just two years while working.
Finding Her Passion in Teaching
While Ella was transitioning careers, she stumbled upon a job posting for CodeWizardsHQ. The role combined two of her passions—coding and teaching—and she knew it was the perfect fit. Before diving into software engineering, Ella had already gained experience as a Director of Staff Development in her nursing career, where she taught classes to nursing assistants. This teaching background made the transition to teaching coding a natural one.
“When I saw that it was coding and teaching, I thought this is what I want to do,” Ella explains. “It combined two of my skills together.” At CodeWizardsHQ, Ella found a role that not only utilized her technical skills but also allowed her to share her love of coding with young students.
Ella’s Typical Week
Ella’s weekly schedule is a balance of both her passions. From Monday through Thursday, she teaches three to four coding classes at CodeWizardsHQ, focusing primarily on introductory courses such as Animations and Games With Scratch and Introduction to Programming With Python. “It doesn’t even feel like a job sometimes,” she says with a smile. “It feels like I’m hanging out with a bunch of kids, which is very cool.”
When she’s not teaching coding, Ella continues to work part-time as a nurse. This dual career allows her to stay connected to the nursing field while pursuing her passion for coding and teaching. “I work as a nurse usually on Saturday and Sunday, and then I work PM shifts sometimes on Tuesday,” she shares. Despite juggling two demanding roles, Ella finds joy in both, noting that they fit together “like a puzzle.”
Teaching Philosophy and Classroom Moments
When asked about her favorite moments in the classroom, Ella emphasizes the importance of collaboration among her students. “What I like the most is when I’m helping a student troubleshoot something, and instead of just me troubleshooting it, the students all come together to help,” she explains. Ella finds great satisfaction in seeing her students interact, share ideas, and learn from one another.
Ella’s favorite age group to teach is elementary school students. “I think it’s kind of like a breath of fresh air when I teach younger kids,” she says. She enjoys their enthusiasm, curiosity, and the way they openly express their thoughts. “They’re so talkative. They always have their cameras on. They’re not afraid to speak their mind, and they’re just so cute.”
While she loves teaching all levels, Ella particularly enjoys teaching Scratch to elementary students because it’s their first introduction to coding. “It’s kind of like their beginning stage of coding, so they have a lot of questions,” she says. “Seeing it click together in their head is nice.”
Advice for Parents and Aspiring Coders
Ella is passionate about encouraging parents to support their children’s interest in coding. Reflecting on her own experience, she wishes she had had access to a program like CodeWizardsHQ when she was younger. “I feel like putting your kid into a school where their classmates also enjoy coding, where you get to interact with a teacher who is there to help you, is a the best way to learn,” she says. She believes that the skills learned in coding classes, such as problem-solving and active listening, are valuable beyond the realm of coding and can benefit students in any future career.
For parents considering CodeWizardsHQ, Ella’s message is clear: “Just do it.” She highlights the supportive environment and the opportunity for students to grow their passion for coding in a community of like-minded peers.
Life Beyond the Classroom
Outside of teaching and nursing, Ella enjoys a variety of hobbies that keep her active and engaged. She loves hiking in the beautiful Bay Area, where she recently visited Yosemite, and has a passion for traveling. Last year, she visited the Philippines and Japan, and she’s planning a trip to Thailand and Japan this year.
At home, Ella shares her life with her family, including her parents, sister, and three young nieces and nephews. She also has a beloved dog named Stitch, a French Bulldog and Pit Bull mix, who brings joy to her daily life.
Ella also values maintaining her health and well-being. She’s recently taken up Pilates, attending classes twice a week. “I really want to prioritize and start taking my health a little bit more seriously,” she says, recognizing the importance of finding balance in her busy life.
Final Thoughts
Ella’s journey from nursing to coding and teaching is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and being open to new opportunities. At CodeWizardsHQ, she has found a fulfilling role where she can inspire the next generation of coders while continuing to grow and learn herself.
For Ella, teaching is more than just a job; it’s a way to connect with students, share her love of coding, and make a lasting impact on their lives. We’re proud to have her as part of our team and excited to see the positive influence she continues to have on her students.
