In her own words: Jump before you’re ready
By: Bethany Kristich, a Girls Who Code Clubs Facilitator
I am a junior Digital Communications major at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. I was inspired to start a GWC Club at my former middle school after discovering the organization through Reshma Saujani’s book (Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World) and her TED talk (Teach Girls Bravery Not Perfection). I recruited my co-facilitator Kayla Shuman (also from Lebanon Valley College and a graduate of my former middle school) to help me run the Club. Our Club meets weekly at Palmyra Area Middle School in Palmyra, Pennsylvania.
I was nervous to start a Club was because I had never done anything like it before — I had no teaching experience, no formal CS experience aside from my own independent learning, and little experience with children. Also, I wasn’t sure if the Club would be received well or highly attended. I was nervous that I didn’t have the adequate skills to run the Club. In spite of this, the experience of running the Club has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. It taught me a lesson on jumping in before you feel ‘ready’ — and really, there is no perfect time to do something — just take a leap, be brave, and try it! It was totally well-received because in just 3 weeks after we started the Club, we grew from 2 members to 25 members. I’m so glad I started the Club because, through the curriculum that GWC provides, it sets you up with literally everything you need. This was a huge help because I didn’t have to worry about the curriculum, and I could focus on building relationships with the girls and helping to develop their skills.
I have SO much respect for teachers, because I get to experience a little bit of what they go through! Also, the girls themselves have taught me so much because they interact with technology differently than I did when I was their age. It’s so rewarding to see them work together, help each other, and try new things. They inspire me to work harder every day.
The girls learned that coding is more accessible to learn than it seems, that the payoff of struggling and persevering is really worth it, and that working together always builds stronger results — like Kid President said, we are all on the same team!
Bethany Kristich is a Girls Who Code Clubs Facilitator. She is a junior Digital Communications major at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania.
Start your own Girls Who Code Club or learn more at www.girlswhocode.com/clubs
