Under the GUI is excited to release a staff subsection to our current Highlights series. This week, we are interviewing Isaac! He has been a teacher with us since November, 2013. With his passion for computer science and quirky obsession for muffins, the kids have grown to love and appreciate Isaac. They have even come up with a nickname for him – “Iscack”. [IS-kak]

Aside from teaching at Under the GUI, what do you currently do?
Aside from teaching on Saturdays, I am currently working full-time as a Front-End Web Developer for a company called RESAAS. This is a temporary position for co-op, as I am usually a full time student at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Rumour has it that you are leaving in the spring! What are you going to be doing?
I will be leaving not in the spring but actually this upcoming New Year in January to go to Calgary for my second co-op work term. Unfortunately this means I will not be able to continue helping with classes at Under the GUI.

What do you enjoy about teaching children how to code?
I enjoy the creativity that children bring to the field. When I was growing up, I would always imagine what would make games better, and have all these crazy ideas for games I wanted to make. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one, as some of these kids have some pretty awesome ideas as well.

Has there been a particular moment while interacting with the kids that has stuck out?
I can’t think of any moment that has stuck out prominently, but it is always a pleasure to see the kids figure out something or fix a problem by themselves.

What is coding to you?
Coding for me is like knowing and learning an ever continuous language. The more you know, the better your conversation (with a computer).

How do you hope to incorporate computer programming and coding in your future?
Some day I hope to see more technology incorporated with medical applications to increase the living standard of people around the world. I also hope that I will be able to contribute to it in the near future!

Although we are sad to say goodbye to Isaac, we appreciate all the hard work that he has put into Under the GUI and the learning of the students here. The legacy he has left will be always be imprinted within the coding that the kids create. Farewell Isaac, and best of luck to you in the future!