Sierra Acy

(she/her)

Code, Teach, Create!

Technical

Projects

Resume

Media Flashcards

Hogwarts Battle

Pound Setlist Generator

Community

TEALS

Mentorship

Media

Tutoring

Java and AP Computer Science A

Tutoring is aimed at students from middle school through adults. If your student is younger, please reach out to me via email and we can discuss their experience and needs.


During a tutoring session, we will cover certain topics or materials requested by the student. Students and parents will lead in defining the goals for the session. The requested topic or material should be provided 24 hours ahead of time, when possible, to allow me to plan an appropriate lecture or activity and come prepared to help! When not available ahead of time, I will do my best to gather context quickly and jump into tutoring as best I can with the information available.


I can help with test review, projects, homework, covering material missed on a day out, and more! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I am happy to take one-time students as well as recurring tutoring sessions.


The following are some topics I can teach on:

  • Types and Identifiers, Operators
  • Input/Output, Control Structure, Errors and Exceptions
  • Objects and Classes
  • Public, Private, and Static keywords
  • Methods, Scope, and References
  • Inheritance and Polymorphism
  • Type Compatibility
  • Abstract Classes and Interfaces
  • Arrays, ArrayLists, and 2D Arrays
  • Recursion
  • Sorting and Searching

Availability

I am generally available M-F from 9am - 9pm pacific, though my detailed availability can be found below. I don't mark weekend availability on my scheduling calendar, but if you need hours outside of my regular, please contact me and we will find a time that works for you!


Sessions can be booked up to 24 hours in advance. You can see my updated availability by clicking the link to the scheduler below.


Pricing

I charge $40 per half hour or $80 per hour. Please pay through Stripe upon booking:


Qualifications

I earned my bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016. Since then, I have worked as a Software Engineer, 4 years of which I worked primarily in Java. In addition, I have taught AP Computer Science A through TEALS (Technology Education and Learning Support) to high schoolers since 2017, and currently tutor K-12 students in Java, Python, and AP CS A.


Contact

Please reach out to me via email at: sierra.acy@gmail.com

Back to Technical

Resume

Download Resume


Experience

August 2023 - Present

Self-Employed, Programming and AP Computer Science A Tutor

  • Instruct 28+ K-12 students individually, specializing in AP Computer Science A (Java) and introductory programming (Java and Python)
  • Develop tailored lesson plans in Java or Python, customized to each student’s age and proficiency level
  • Assess student requirements, swiftly grasp context, and deliver targeted guidance to aid comprehension and completion of coursework and assignments

November 2021 - March 2023

Warner Bros. Discovery, Software Engineer II

Client Data Ingestion

  • Protected data quality standards and facilitated the development of new tools through test-driven development, clean shutdown procedures, and clear, verifiable standards for test and code quality.
  • Graceful Shutdown: Implemented graceful shutdown of data transformation service in response to a SIGTERM signal in the Kubernetes pod, ensuring seamless termination and system reliability
  • Data Transformation & Integration: Utilized Python to parse CSV and SQL files, crafting Snowflake SQL commands through Sqitch for optimized data transformation and integration
  • Legacy Backfill Tool Revitalization: Transformed legacy tool to rectify incorrect and missing data in the DB. Gathered requirements, developed new JavaScript workflow, rigorously tested the AWS-Kubernetes-Snowflake pipeline, and wrote comprehensive documentation
  • TDD Excellence: Employed test-driven development for two new services serving the new Max app, writing Jest unit tests to ensure robust functionality and code integrity.

October 2020 - October 2021

Microsoft, Software Engineer I

Datacenter Planning and Execution - Land Engineering

  • Orchestrated a seamless migration to a new datacenter planning tool, enhancing efficiency by automating process tracking and legal compliance enforcement, while also creating user training videos for effective onboarding.
  • Data Migration: Orchestrated a Power Automate workflow, facilitating a smooth transition from legacy data input to Dynamics365. Minimized end-user disruption during the MVP product launch, ensuring a successful migration.
  • Dynamics365 Enhancement: Implemented key Dynamics365 features, including record cloning, automated email notifications, and spend tracking using Power Automate and JavaScript, allowing customers to focus on important tasks over house-keeping tasks
  • Documentation Excellence: Authored detailed feature documentation and produced six demo videos for internal customers. This comprehensive approach significantly improved user understanding and adoption rates.

Microsoft Community

  • Organized and hosted three Pub Trivia events, boosting cross-functional understanding of the datacenter pipeline and fostering team cohesion
  • Hosted two virtual dance parties for Summer 2021 interns through Microsoft Dance group. Contributed to a highly satisfying experience with increased engagement.

April 2017 - November 2020

The Walt Disney Company, Software Engineer

  • Engineered a variety of UI and API-based tools for enhanced ease-of-use, benefiting content creators from industry leaders like ESPN, ABC, and Pixar.

Genome - Video Search and Metadata Service

  • Pipeline Development: Owned end-to-end data pipeline— from ingestion to UI display— utilizing Elasticsearch, Java, REST API, AngularJS, SPARQL, various AWS services.
  • Demos: Successfully prepared for two time-sensitive demos for The Simpsons creative team and Pixar executives, showcasing adaptability and meeting high-profile expectations.
  • Storyline Feature: Architected high priority feature highlighting unique video metadata. Drove end-to-end implementation across API design, data transformation, and UI layers using Java and AngularJS
  • Release Management Excellence: Led initiative to streamline versioning and release management processes, enhancing overall efficiency and coordination across the team

GoPublish - Content Management System

  • Streamlined Integration: Designed and implemented AWS architecture to integrate custom ESPN tool with third-party tool
  • Admin Portal: Spearheaded development of user interface in React for admin portal, enabling users to request data reingestion and track progress

Disney Community and Recruitment

  • Seattle Office Internship Program Leader: Guided and mentored appx 60 interns over three years, conducting weekly sync-ups, intern presentations, and social events. Demonstrated leadership and achieved overwhelmingly positive feedback from program participants.
  • Job Shadows: Facilitated job shadowing experiences for five Computer Science students from two universities, offering insights into industry practices and potential career paths.
  • Recruiting Events: Represented the company at six recruiting and hacking events at universities in Washington, California, and Texas, fostering brand visibility and attracting top-tier talent
2015-2017

Internships

  • Content Management Systems Team: Designed new user interface for a media asset management system using Vue.js and Webpack
  • Emerging Technology Solutions Team: Implemented solution for conference room occupancy detection using Raspberry Pis and motion sensors, programmed in Node.js with MongoDB integration. Enhanced office space utilization.
  • Unified Messaging Team: Created SMS and email template previews using JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and Knockout. Enabled users to preview communications with actual user information inserted.


Skills

  • Technical Skills: Java, Typescript, JavaScript, Python, Node.js, ReactJS, AngularJS, HTML, Vue.js, jQuery, JSON, REST API Design, Amazon Web Services, Elasticsearch, Terraform, SQL, SPARQL
  • Soft Skills: Public Speaking, Mentorship, Event Planning


Community Involvement

  • Microsoft TEALS: Teacher and TA for high school AP Computer Science A course, 2017 – Present
  • Mentors in Tech: Mentored two college students from nontraditional backgrounds, 2020 – 2021
  • Hour of Code: Volunteer Coordinator for the Department of Computer Science, UT Austin 2015 and 2016


Education

August 2013 - December 2016

The University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor of Science and Arts in Computer Science, Minor in Music


Media Flashcards

A friend and I began taking American Sign Language classes through Visually Speaking and North Seattle College in 2020. We wanted flashcards to help us practice on our own, but had a hard time finding an existing sloution that did everything we wanted.
I created the Media Flashcards project to solve that problem. Features:

  • Practice Mode
  • Search Mode
  • Option to see sign side, English side, or mixed in Practice Mode
  • Sign side can contain static images, gifs, or videos
The repo is currently private because it contains videos of our instructor demonstrating signs in the classes we paid for.

Hogwarts Battle

My husband and I love to play the Hogwarts Battle deck building board game. However, one of our biggest issues with the game is the number of things players need to keep up with at all times, often resulting in missed steps and overall incorrect game play.

As we're both Software Engineers and were both looking for a project to practice a new programming language in, we decided to try building it ourselves. We are developing 2 versions in parallel: mine in Python, his in Rust. We pair program in both languages and review each other's code, but put most of our energy into developing the game in our respective languages.

The repo is currently private due to copyright concerns. Demo coming soon!

POUND Setlist Generator

I started teaching a fitness format called POUND in 2020. In this format, instructors create a setlist of tracks. POUND provides setlist templates with different difficulties, lengths, track levels, and track types. There are so many track options to insert into each slot, that I get overwhelmed when trying to create or change up a setlist.

To solve this, my setlist generator will build a setlsit for me using only songs I know. It is currently a command-line tool that allows me to choose a setlist difficulty, length, and version and returns a full setlist. I can choose to replace a track with a different one and include arm tracks.

I have many more ideas in store for this project. In the mean time, you can view my progress on GitHub.

TEALS

TEALS, or Tecnology Education and Literacy in Schools, is a Microsoft-sponsored program that pairs volunteers with programming experience with high schools around the country, and Canada. Most schools still do not have any kind of CS or technology progrqams, but of the schools that do, they often do not have access to teachers who are familiar with the material, so teachers end up teaching CS classes with no more knowledge than the students.


TEALS provides several benefits:

  • Schools can implement successful CS programs with the help of knowledgable volunteers
  • Students get direct access to volunteers that are part of the industry that can answer questions about the material and careers alike
  • Over several years with the program, classroom teachers can learn the material alongside students and take over teaching when they are comfortable with it

I have volunteered with TEALS since 2017, taking a minor break for the 2020-2021 school year. I have taught remotely at Walla Walla High School for most of those years, except for one in which I taught at Tonasket High School.


I grew up with a family of teachers, so education has alwasy been a very important part of my life. I found from a young age that I enjoyed teaching: my earliest teaching memory is from when I was about 5 years old teaching my cousin to read using my Explode the Code phonics books. I never considered teaching as a career, but once I found TEALS, I realized it was the one thing I had been missing! I get to be a software engineer AND a teacher! How could it get better than this?

Mentorship

Mentorship is an important part of my professional life. It helps me stay motivated in my job and reminds me why I love doing what I do. Even in my much needed year off from TEALS, I pretty quickly realized I missed working with students. I joined Mentors in Tech, or MinT, where I mentored 2 students on a monthly schedule -- a much more manageable time commitment for me that year. I have had several great mentors in my career so far, starting with my step-dad (or bonus-dad, as we liked to say) Abel Wang, who introduced me to CS. I was lucky to have someone around to help me with homework, answer my questions, and engage and encourage me in CS, so I am always happy to be that person for someone else.

Creative

My favorite hobby is trying new hobbies, especially creative ones. My creative projects include cosplay, embroidery, sewing, and much more!

Homer Simpson Embroidery

1940s Style Apron

Animal Crossing Virtual Cosplay

Flapper Aurora Cosplay

Don't Starve Wendy Cosplay

Anna the Riveter Cosplay

Nurse Joy cosplay

Nurse Joy Cosplay

POUND Fit

I started taking POUND classes in 2018. I always hated exercising, but I really enjoyed POUND. In November 2020, I officially became a POUND Pro! See the details below for more information on POUND and how to join my classes!


How do I join?

Classes are a half-hour long and happen every Sunday at 9:30am pacific. Please see Facebook or Instagram @poundandpoms_with_sierraskye for any schedule changes.

Click here to register for class, or search "Pound & Poms with Sierra Skye" in the search box!


Classes are donation-based and 100% of the proceeds (x3) will be donated to a charitable organization. Check out the How do donations work? section for more details. See this month's cause in my Linktree. The recommended minimum donation is $5, but any amount helps!


What do I need?

  • A yoga mat to stand on. If you will be Pounding on a surface you don't want damaged (ex: hardwood floors), 2 yoga mats recommended.
  • In POUND, we use Ripstix (those green drumsticks), that are weighted 1/4 pound each, but if you don't have any, you can use your hands and clap!
  • Water!!!
  • Shoes are optional
  • A device to see and hear me with!

What is it?

POUND is for everybody and every body, designed for all fitness levels! Channel your inner rockstar with this full body cardio-jam session inspired by the infectious, energizing, and sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums! Visit the POUND Fit website or the YouTube channel for more info and a sneak peak at what a POUND class looks like.


How do dontions work?

This class is donation based. The recommended minimum donation is $5, but any amount counts. In fact, every donation will be multiplied by 3!

How? Each month, we’ll donate class proceeds to a different charity. Then, I will match the total class donations for a month. Finally, my company will match my personal donation.

For example, if 5 people attend class every week for a month, paying $5 each class, the total class donations for the month are $100. I will match the $100 with my own personal donation. Then, my company will match my personal donation with another $100. That’s a total of $300 to a single charity in one month!

Have an organization you would like to see represented? I’m open to recommendations! See this month's cause in my Linktree.

Questions? Feel free to contact me!

PomSquad Fitness

I started taking PomSquad classes in 2021. After POUND, I knew I could enjoy music-based fitness classes, and I've always loved dance, so I decided to try it out. Sure enough, it was a perfect fit! In June 2022, I officially became a PomSquad Captain: Captain SkyelightZone! See the details below for more information on PomSquad and how to join my classes!


How do I join?

Classes are a half-hour long and happen every Sunday at 10:00am pacific. Please see Facebook or Instagram @poundandpoms_with_sierraskye for any schedule changes.

Click here to register for class, or search "Pound & Poms with Sierra Skye" in the search box!


Classes are donation-based and 100% of the proceeds (x3) will be donated to a charitable organization. Check out the How do donations work? section for more details. See this month's cause in my Linktree. The recommended minimum donation is $5, but any amount helps!


What do I need?

  • Optional: Pompoms!
  • Water!!!
  • A device to see and hear me with!

What is it?

POMSQUAD™ is a super fun, immensely positive, high energy dance fitness class! You'll be shaking your poms while prancing, dancing, bending, and snapping to today’s hits and yesterday’s favorites. Inclusive, encouraging, and easy to follow classes are designed to maximize caloric burn while strengthening and toning the body. Featuring a variety of dance styles and unique choreography, there is something for every type of spirit leader in each and every class. Visit the PomSquad Fitness website or the YouTube channel for more info and a sneak peak at what a PomSquad class looks like.


How do dontions work?

This class is donation based. The recommended minimum donation is $5, but any amount counts. In fact, every donation will be multiplied by 3!

How? Each month, we’ll donate class proceeds to a different charity. Then, I will match the total class donations for a month. Finally, my company will match my personal donation.

For example, if 5 people attend class every week for a month, paying $5 each class, the total class donations for the month are $100. I will match the $100 with my own personal donation. Then, my company will match my personal donation with another $100. That’s a total of $300 to a single charity in one month!

Have an organization you would like to see represented? I’m open to recommendations! See this month's cause in my Linktree.

Questions? Feel free to contact me!

Contact