At Code the Dream, we’re excited to honor the volunteers who make our program possible. This month, we’re celebrating Raquel Román-Rodriguez, who is currently a mentor in our React class.
As a React mentor, Raquel leads a small group of students through the curriculum. Students watch videos, read articles, and complete assignments on their own, and mentors help answer their questions and assist them when they get stuck. Raquel also records her mentor sessions and shares them with the class, along with detailed recaps of each mentor session and additional resources for students.
Each week, students share feedback for their mentors. Students consistently share that Raquel is exactly the mentor they need to help them through the difficult experience of learning React. Thank you, Raquel, for your huge impact on the CTD community!
Raquel recently shared about her experiences as a volunteer:
Tell us a little about yourself.
“I work as a Software Engineer at Paperless Post, primarily working on our legacy Rails app, Ruby services, and some occasional React work. I officially switched to programming from a career as a performer and educator in 2021 after attending a coding bootcamp.”
Why did you get involved with Code the Dream?
“One of the reasons I chose to leave my career as a teacher was because I felt distressed about the lack of equitable access to higher education, which disproportionally impacts historically marginalize groups. But I deeply missed the mentoring from teaching and was looking for a way to contribute my time to a cause. Code the Dream fit the bill perfectly and I’m so thankful to get to be involved.”
What has been meaningful about your experience with Code the Dream?
“It has been meaningful to watch students have ‘Ah-Ha!’ moments in mentor sessions when talking about complex topics. It’s also humbling to have moments when students ask me things I don’t know the answer to and then we get to learn together.”
Raquel’s students were eager to share why they are thankful for her:
“Raquel is a fantastic teacher. She generously shares her knowledge – and even goes above and beyond to make her mentor sessions accessible via recordings. It’s been a pleasure learning from her.”
Danielle P., React Student
“Raquel is very patient, sincere and friendly. When I see the excitement of helping and teaching in her eyes, I want to work harder. I really feel that her only purpose is to help us and contribute to our development at the highest level. Thank you very much Raquel for your heart.”
Nuriye A., React Student
“I learned so many great things from observing how Raquel is building React apps. She explains everything in simple words. Thank you, Raquel, for mentoring me and allowing me to benefit from your experience.”
Xeniya D., React student
“Raquel uses illustrations to drive a point home, which makes it easy to grasp subject concepts.”
Erick O., React student
“Raquel is great at explaining complex things in a simple way. She helped me understand React in a way nobody has!”
Rixio B., React student
“Asking for help can be the hardest part of learning something new. Raquel creates an environment where I feel comfortable saying, ‘I don’t understand.’ That’s what makes her a great mentor.”
Dior S., React Student
