Pros
Great location with a ton of fun camps and programs to choose from. Kids learn to code using a variety of methods from as simple lego builds to advanced concepts like using the Unity game engine
Cons
I worked at Code Ninjas for a total of 3 and a half shifts before being fired, I received no warnings, criticism, or guidance before being terminated. As a teacher, I was expected to learn the new curriculum that they launched the day before I got hired and to use that knowledge to help children learn how to code by completing a series of online challenges and projects. We were supposed to observe the kids and provide feedback and advice to anyone that needed it, among a few other responsibilities such as grading projects or end-of-day progress report cards. The reasons I got fired were: -Being too idle and sitting too much -Fidgetting with a Rubix cube one day while working -not being proactive enough with the kids -not being a team leader The issue I have with these reasons is that they're either easily fixable or inaccurate due to a misunderstanding. -During the shadowing process before my employment, I had already demonstrated my ability to teach several times by successfully helping out the other teachers solve problematic bugs in the student's projects even in higher-level assignments. -The new curriculum had a flaw in its ability to save artwork made by students, which was particularly disheartening for one of our students. I took it upon myself to look into the compiler error, and approached the boss with a description of the problem and a solution I thought might work. -I frequently saw many other teachers sitting down while observing and helping the kids. I preferred to sit in a spot I could be attentive, I would stand up and go help anytime I saw a student with a question. -The children are allowed to use the fidget toys we had in the room at any time, I was told I could use a fidget too if I needed one. I was super tired one day so I was using a cube to keep my mind alert. I put it down every time a kid needed help and was answering questions as much as any other teacher that day. -During the hiring process it was never made clear to me that being a team leader was something I was expected to immediately do. I had even explained to my coworkers my plan was to get a good hold of the basics first and take on more responsibility from there. If that was problematic they could have said so at any time. It was the most unwelcoming work environment I've ever been in, and I can't get over the fact they fired me without ever giving me feedback and a chance to improve, for reasons they either didn't communicate clearly or behaviors I learned directly from the teachers already there.
