At CodeWizardsHQ, we’re always excited to shine a spotlight on our talented instructors. This time, we’re featuring Tyler Crocker, a seasoned teacher passionate about animation, coding, and connecting with students. His journey into the tech world is filled with gaming, creativity, and perseverance.
Gaming: The Gateway to Coding
“I’m a nerd,” Tyler Crocker jokes when asked about how he got into coding. “It was definitely through gaming. I wanted to be a game developer.” Growing up, Tyler was immersed in gaming from an early age. His first real encounter with coding came in high school when he finally had the opportunity to take a programming class. “It was on the list of electives every year, and I signed up every year,” he explains. However, the class was often canceled due to a lack of student interest. It wasn’t until his junior year that enough students enrolled, allowing the class to finally take place. “That’s when I had my first touch of coding, and I loved it,” Tyler says with enthusiasm.
Growing Up on the Move
Tyler had an unconventional upbringing, moving frequently due to his father’s work. “I grew up in a few places,” he recalls. “Long Island, Ohio, New Jersey, and I even spent about two and a half years in Germany.” His father, an electrical engineer, worked on specialized technology such as cell tower receivers, which often required the family to relocate.
Tyler’s time in Germany left a lasting impression on him. “I loved it,” he says. “It was really safe. My parents didn’t care if I went to town on my bike by myself. Everyone was nice, and the food was fantastic.” He particularly enjoyed the independence he had in Germany. “In the U.S., at least where I’ve lived, you’d usually need a car or a bus to get anywhere. But there, I could just leave my house and go to town.”
College and Self-Directed Learning
After high school, Tyler enrolled at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Animation. It was during this time that he began teaching himself programming. “I was the only artist who actually took programming classes,” he notes.
While Tyler’s primary focus was on animation, he quickly realized that coding would be essential to his success in the field. “Animating was my passion,” he says. “But if I wanted to make my models move realistically, I needed to learn Python. So I taught myself Python to improve my animation skills.”
In addition to Python, Tyler took a few coding electives, including a class on Java. However, much of his programming knowledge was self-taught, driven by his desire to enhance his craft.
Early Career and a Pivot to Teaching
After college, Tyler landed an office job, but it wasn’t a great fit. “I was sitting in a cubicle, and it wasn’t really what I wanted.” A friend suggested that Tyler try AmeriCorps. He applied and started working with Tenacity, a program focused on literacy and tennis for middle school students in Boston. “We were in a middle school, teaching literacy in the classroom, and then we’d take the students out to teach them tennis after school,” he explains.
It was through this experience that Tyler discovered a love for teaching. “I don’t know exactly what drew me to it,” he reflects. “But I really enjoy seeing students figure things out. I love that moment when something clicks for them.”
Transitioning Into a Key Role at CodeWizardsHQ
Tyler eventually moved to Seattle, where his parents were living. “They said Seattle was great for tech jobs, so I drove across the country to look for work,” he says. As fate would have it, his stepmother found a job listing for CodeWizardsHQ, and Tyler joined the team in 2019.
“At first, I was an instructor,” he recalls. Over time, Tyler’s role expanded, and he became deeply involved in the CodeWizardsHQ Internship Program, where students take on collaborative projects and leadership roles. His experiences and dedication have helped him grow into a pivotal figure in the program’s success.
The Internship Program and Its Impact
“In the Internship Program, I’m not really teaching,” Tyler explains. “It’s a lot more student-led. I act like a producer, helping them stay organized and on track.” Tyler’s role involves overseeing student collaboration, and ensuring that tasks are managed effectively through project management tools. Communication is a crucial focus.
Tyler finds immense value in the Internship Program. He believes it provides students with real-world experience that prepares them for future success. “I’m pretty sure with most of the interns we’ve had, when they go to college and they start a group project, they’re going to be leading them,” he states. Tyler’s leadership has been essential to the program, and his passion for mentoring has left a lasting impact on his interns.
Teaching at CodeWizardsHQ
Tyler teaches students across various age groups, including elementary, middle, and high school levels. Although his schedule keeps him busy, he loves the variety that comes with teaching different students. When it comes to subjects, Tyler has a clear preference. “I really enjoy logic,” he shares. I love teaching Python and JavaScript. I also enjoy SQL and database topics.”
When asked what he enjoys most about teaching, Tyler doesn’t hesitate. “It’s that moment when something clicks for a student. It can be frustrating at times, especially when students don’t understand something right away. But when you finally find the right way to explain it, and you hear them say, ‘Oh, I get it now,’ that’s the best part.”
Tyler also cherishes the long-term relationships he’s built with students. “I had one student who struggled a lot at first. He was coming to office hours every week. Over time, he needed less help, and eventually, his grades were 100% across the board. Seeing that slow transition was incredibly satisfying.”
Tyler’s Hobbies and Life Outside of Teaching
Outside of CodeWizardsHQ, Tyler enjoys a variety of hobbies, many of which involve gaming. He’s particularly fond of roguelike games, which feature short, repeatable gameplay loops. He also participates in speedrunning events, such as the charity marathon Games Done Quick.
“I’m also really into climbing,” Tyler adds. While he mostly sticks to indoor climbing, he tries to go twice a week when he can. Additionally, Tyler has been playing the ukulele for over a decade. “It’s one of those instruments that fits me perfectly,” he says. “I can pick it up anytime.”
At home, Tyler and his wife, Bonnie, have two rescue cats named Hero and Lucina. “Hero was found in a box outside a PetSmart, and Lucina was rescued from an air conditioner,” he shares. Recently, Tyler has taken up cooking, with a particular focus on making Japanese-style soufflé pancakes. “They’re so thick and fluffy,” he says. “I don’t think I’ll ever go back to regular pancakes again.”
A Journey of Growth and Impact
Tyler Crocker’s journey at CodeWizardsHQ is one of growth, mentorship, and impact. From an early passion for gaming to his studies in animation and programming at college, Tyler has steadily developed his skills to become a highly respected instructor. His influence goes far beyond the classroom, particularly through his leadership in the Internship Program, where he helps students take ownership of their learning and work together on real-world projects.
Whether guiding beginners or mentoring interns to develop leadership skills, Tyler’s dedication to student success and his enthusiasm for teaching make him an essential part of the CodeWizardsHQ team. His creativity, patience, and insight continue to inspire both students and colleagues alike as he shapes the next generation of coders.
