what's kode with klossy… & why?

Four years ago, I joined Kode with Klossy as a web development scholar. And despite having never touched web platforms before, this 501(c)(3) organization — teaching marginalized demographics (female and non-binary) how to code — gave me the power to create a web platform from scratch.

Here's a snippet I wrote years ago reflecting about my time then:

Just take a look at my computer. You’ll find a folder named, “kwk ♡”. Inside are… screenshots of my teammates hyping up all of my designs, a blurry picture of our team’s uncoordinated dancing to Gangnam Style, and my end-of-program certificate made by my IAs: “Lucy Han — Most Likely to Run the Extra Mile.” The folder finishes with a team picture with the virtual background I created for IA appreciation day: 16 beautiful people forming a heart shaped posture across my computer screen.

[I will] treasure the memories of my “Queen B’s” …. this was a bond that transcended age, interest, and physical distance: something that can’t be replicated without two headstrong, heartwarming instructors.

So, three & four years later, I became an instructional leader at the same program… although I could’ve taught anywhere else, I chose KWK because of the incredible diversity and the mission-driven mindset EVERYONE had there.

what did i do?

Here, I:

1. completed simple training projects over the course of 7 weeks to prove that i understood the content! these were quite fun.

   • about me project

   • photo gallery

2. helped first-time coders/experienced programmers perfect their skills in basic web development: HTML, CSS, and Javascript. i remember:

   • conducting 5 hr lessons lectures / live coding demos according the KWK curriculums

   • working around 20 hours overtime to host tons of office hours! never knew finding bugs could be that fun. met around 50+ scholars (and a cat) that way as well!

   • reviewing 110+ scholars' feedback at the end of every day to see how the scholars were absorbing the material, how we could better teach the material, and set up future curriculums

3. served as the project manager for six teams (~30 scholars) — made sure each project was on track and gave feedback as needed

4. taught two groups of international 15-20 students (GO HOUSE E AND HOUSE A!!) — ranging from Nigeria to Canada

5. had tough but incredibly important conversations about the opportunity gap in tech and the experiences of women, non-binary, and transgender people in the field.

   • here, we guided them in seminars, activities, and discussions to share heartening and disheartening experiences of them in the field

   • they loved it. by far one of the best parts of KWK

a note on community…

Despite it being purely asynchronous, I quickly grew to love my scholars, so, so much. Even though I was the teacher there, I learned so much just talking to my scholars. There were also very sweet (and humbling) moments when my scholars would correct me when I was teaching, and I would leave as a better teacher and coder.

With that said, community is a huge pillar in Kode with Klossy. I struggle to find somewhere else that executes it as well as KWK does. This was also part of the responsibilities of being an IA: to facilitate community and build a family in just 10 short days.

So, on a more fun note, I also made a bunch of closing videos, resources, and assets for our camp traditions and goodbyes. Take a look at them below!

• a last minute goodbye website I made for House E

• montage video that I made for House E

• montage video that I made for House B

  • montage video that I made for House A has copywriting issues because of Jojo Siwa (long story)

… and a lovely reminder ♡

Really, though: in a world where everyone is hyper-focused on a competitive, over-saturated job market, the fear of not performing "well enough" or "falling behind," and the looming fear of AI, we (LOL more like I) lose sight of over what we work hard for and what we truly find fulfillment in. I am so lucky to have KWK as my reminder.

I have now realized the power of tech-education. There is nothing more I want than to see these girls succeed.