Meet Dipali Patel of The Coder School – Cerritos + La Palma

I graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Psychology and not having a clue about what to do with it. All i knew was I wanted to work with people. I spent a few years in the HR field before having kids and taking time off to raise them. It was during this time I realized that I wanted a small business in which I can pursue my passion but still be able to balance my personal life. For 6 years, I was the owner of a Kumon Math and Reading center in which I helped many students maximize their true potential with their academics. Since then I was doing Tech Recruiting for startups across California. One consistent feedback I received from the software engineers, developers, and programmers I recruited was that they wished there was a coding school around when they were younger. This feedback led me to opening The Coder School – Cerritos/La Palma. I couldn’t be prouder of being the first coding school in a community my family and I call home. I have 2 tech savvy boys who remind me each day the value and importance of technology in our world today and I am thrilled to be able to help young kids everywhere learn to code so that they can change the world!

I think every entrepreneur will tell you that the road is never easy. When you own your own small business, it’s a 24-hour job. I’m also a single mom raising two teenage boys so add that to the plate and the road becomes a lot bumpier. However, when you love what you do, the benefits out weigh the struggles.

We are apart of a franchise which is the #1 after-school coding program for ages 7-18 that started in Silicon Valley and now has approx 50 centers nationwide. Whether your coder is brand new to Scratch or already building distributed Python programs, we can help him or her get to the next level. Unlike other programs, our talented coaches are trained to tailor the lessons to your kid’s interests. This unique approach fosters a lifelong passion for building and technology. Our program will equip your child with critical skills (logic, breaking complex problems into manageable chunks, working with others towards an end goal) and confidence valuable in any future career.

Our flagship program, Code Coaching®, combines a super-small teaching ratio of typically 2:1 or 1:1 with individualized curriculum so kids are able to move at their own pace, doing things that interest them most. This program works for kids of all ages and skill levels. From game development to web apps, Python to Java, or even niche technologies like AI and beyond, our Code Coaches can help your kids achieve their goals. Sessions run one or two hours a week (your choice), at the same time every week on a schedule that works for both you and our assigned Coach. Sessions are run in-person at our schools where available, or can be run online for social distancing.

Success to me is fulfillment – which is different for everyone. For me success is fulfilling my purpose in life. Being able to mentor or help students reach new heights at an early age and pave them a path that could change our future. Success is fulfilling my role as a Mother and providing my kids with everything they need to be successful good human beings. Success is fulfilling long lasting relationships with family, friends, clients, colleagues who all shape me to be the person I am today.