When Hayley Christianson first joined CodeWizardsHQ, she wasn’t leading classes or walking students through lines of code. Instead, she was answering their parents’ questions in customer service. But behind the scenes, she was already deeply passionate about coding, helping others, and building a life that blended creativity, logic, and human connection.
“This month is my one-year anniversary of being an instructor,” she said. “The first two years at CodeWizards, I was in customer service.”
That customer service background gives Hayley a unique perspective on the parent experience and on the importance of support in a student’s journey. Today, she teaches full-time and brings that same sense of care and communication into every class she leads.
Discovering the Power of Code
Hayley’s path to coding wasn’t a straight line. In high school, she thought she might become an archaeologist or a writer. Then she discovered a computer science course.
“I was one of maybe two or three girls in the class. None of the kids were really interested, except maybe three or four that were like, ‘Oh, this is really neat.’”
But Hayley saw something more. “How I describe coding to somebody is taking your ideas, taking your imagination, and using a bit of math, a bit of logic, a bit of science, and transforming that into whatever you want,” she said. “If you have the passion, the drive, and of course the imagination, you can do anything with coding.”
Her enthusiasm led to a competitive Google internship, where she commuted four hours a day for three weeks to learn multiple coding languages and build functioning websites.
She later enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago, initially as a major in computer science and engineering. During the pandemic, she shifted to a dual major in computer science and linguistics. “There’s a scientific element to language,” she explained. “Syntax, phonetics, audiovisual—there’s so much interesting development in that.” She is currently pursuing her degree part-time while teaching.
Joining CodeWizardsHQ
After working in university research, Hayley was looking for something more fulfilling. She applied to CodeWizardsHQ.
“I wanted to do something where I could help people in some way,” she said. “When I found the customer service position, I was like, ‘Wait, but teaching kids about coding? That’s so cool.’”
She spent two years on the support team before transitioning into a teaching role. “Wild, but amazing,” is how she described the switch.
Now she teaches across all grade levels and has led classes in everything from AI to capstones. She especially values the small class sizes at CodeWizardsHQ. “You can really have that relationship with the students and inspire them to learn how to code,” she said.
A Philosophy of Empowerment
Hayley’s teaching style is all about giving students room to explore, think independently, and be themselves.
“Ever since I was little, I enjoyed tutoring,” she said. “I still remember very well my first coding instructor, my high school teacher. And all I can imagine is this will inspire kids to really go and try something new.”
One way she supports creative thinking is through how she treats coding syntax. “With my elementary and middle school students, I make it a point: name your variables whatever you like,” she said. “Sometimes it helps me if it describes what the variable does, but if you want it to be silly, go right ahead.”
That balance between structure and freedom shows up in her favorite classes, too. Hayley loves teaching capstone classes.
“It stops the handholding,” she explained. “There’s a point where you have to start thinking for yourself as a student. It really goes from learning to mastering what they’ve learned.”
Her goal is to support students while encouraging critical thinking. “I’ll talk about it, maybe I’ll reiterate it in a couple of different ways. But I want to see what progress they have, or what thought process they’re trying to create. That gives me a sense of where they are and how I can help guide them.”
A Human Connection
While her technical background is strong, it’s Hayley’s ability to connect with students that sets her apart. She encourages students to engage in ways that feel comfortable for them and makes sure her classroom feels welcoming.
“One of my favorite moments is seeing students help other students,” she said. “It shows that instead of us just being a class with an instructor and students, it’s ‘Let’s work together as a class.'”
She especially values the moments when her students collaborate and take ownership of the learning process. Whether it’s troubleshooting code together, offering advice, or celebrating each other’s creativity, Hayley finds meaning in their growth. “Listening to the students, hearing what they have to say, and then applying it to my teaching—that’s my favorite part,” she said.
Beyond the Screen
Outside the classroom, Hayley balances online work with offline creativity. “This year I’ve learned how to crochet,” she said. “Tangible, off the screen—that’s been my goal this year.”
She’s also been folding origami stars as a way to stay focused and calm. “I try to take my anxieties or fidgets, any of my worries, and try to transfer them into something more productive,” she said. A tray next to her desk is filled with colorful stars. Her 15-year-old dog, Trixie, often curls up on a little couch next to her while she teaches, keeping her company as she works.
Hayley is also a gamer with years of experience in Minecraft, League of Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and more. She even served as president of her university’s competitive gaming club. That gaming background helps her connect with students. “Most games, if not the majority of games, I’ve at least heard of, if not played myself,” she said. “In some way, I can relate to a student.”
Advice for Parents and Students
With three years at CodeWizardsHQ and experience in both customer service and teaching, Hayley has a strong endorsement for the program.
“A thousand percent, no matter what age,” she said. “Even if you’ve just learned a little bit of coding, it can help you in today’s day and age tremendously. It gets you to think outside the box.”
She wishes she had access to a program like CodeWizardsHQ when she was younger. “Even if it’s not something you want to do for the rest of your life, having that knowledge can be helpful no matter what field you go into,” she said.
A Lasting Impact
Hayley’s goal is to create an environment where students feel seen, supported, and capable.
“I am challenged every day in different ways,” she said. “But I always try to show up for my students. Even if I’m having an off day, how can I not show that off to the students? I want them to see that I’m here for them.”
Her classroom is full of cheer, creativity, and collaboration. Whether students are naming variables after potatoes or solving syntax bugs together, Hayley is cheering them on and guiding them forward.
“We all come from different walks of life. We come together with this common goal of being able to teach something that is so amazing to the next generation.”
