Sierra Acy
Code, Teach, Create!
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Tutoring
Offerings
Learn Python Coding - Small Group Class
Pricing: $28 per hour across 10-14 weeks. See total for each class in More Info.
3-course series on Python programming. Class size ranges from 3-8 students. One hour 2x per week. No prior coding experience requried. This series is geared toward students age 13-17.
Java and AP Computer Science A Tutoring
Pricing: $35 for 30 min/$70 for 55 min
One-on-one tutoring is open to all ages. This option is great for students who are looking to get support for a class as well as students who are looking to start learning Java one-on-one with a teacher outside of a formal classroom.
Python Tutoring
Pricing: $35 for 30 min/$70 for 55 min
One-on-one tutoring is open to all ages. This option is great for students who are looking to get support for a class as well as students who are looking to start learning Python one-on-one with a teacher outside of a formal classroom.
Qualifications
I have worked as a Software Engineer at Disney, Microsoft, and HBO/Warner Bros. Discovery, with many of those years working primarily in Java.
I have taught high school AP Computer Science for 8 years through the Microsoft TEALS program, both virtually and in-person. I've independently tutored K-12 students in Java, Python, and AP Computer Science for 2 years.
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Contact
Please reach out to me via email at: business@sierraacy.com
Learn Python Coding - Small Group Class
Course Information
- 3-course series on Python programming
- Age range: Ages 13-17
- Schedule: One hour, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Class size: 3-8 students
- No prior coding experience requried
Pricing: $784 total
(Enrollment Closed) Summer 2025: June 03 - September 04
Fall 2025: September 16 - December 23
Schedule: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 10:30am - 11:45am PT
Python 101 is the first course in a 3-part series on the Python programming language. In this course, students will learn the core syntax, data types, and control structures of Python. These include: printing, user input, arithmetic, if-statements, and loops. By the end of this course, students will understand the basics of programming in Python.
Fall enrollment begins August 1Python 102 (10 weeks)
Pricing: $560 total
(Currently Enrolling) Summer 2025: July 01 - September 04
Fall 2025: September 16 - November 20
Schedule: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 11:45am - 12:45pm PT
Prerequisite: Python 101 or similar experience
Python 102 is the second course in a 3-part series on the Python programming language. In this course, students will learn how to manipulate text and write functions. By the end of this course, students will be able to write more complex code, organize it into clear, reusable blocks, and understand the importance of the logical grouping of code.
Python 103 (12 weeks)
Pricing: $672 total
(Enrollment Closed) Summer 2025: June 17 - September 04
Fall 2025: September 16 - December 09
Schedule: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 1:00pm - 2:00pm PT
Prerequisite: Python 101 and 102 or similar experience
Python 103 is the third and final course in a 3-part series on the Python programming language. In this course, students will learn how to use built-in Python structures to organize data and read and write data to an external file. By the end of this course, students will be able to write sufficiently complex programs and have the tools necessary to solve college and entry-level interview style problems.
Fall enrollment begins August 1Cancellation Policy - Small Group Classes
- Full Refund — If canceled 7 or more days before the course start date.
- 50% Refund — If canceled within 7 days of the start date and before the first class.
- No Refunds — After the first class or for missed classes.
- Other refunds — Case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.
If the instructor cancels the course for any reason, a full refund will be issued.
If the instructor cancels a single class in the course for any reason, a make-up class will be added to the end of the course.
Small Group Class Make-up PolicyNo make-up sessions are offered for missed classes, but materials will be shared through Google Classroom.
Java and AP Computer Science A Tutoring
Course Information
Pricing: $35 for 30 min/$70 for 55 min
Sessions can be booked up to 24 hours in advance.
NOTE: This listing is for Java rather than JavaScript. Despite the similar name, the two languages are very different. If you need JavaScript tutoring and are having a hard time finding another tutor, please reach out to me. I have used it professionally, though it is not a language I have taught before and is not my expertise, but I may be able to help.One-on-one tutoring is open to all ages. This option is great for students who are looking to get support for a class as well as students who are looking to start learning Java one-on-one with a teacher or outside of a formal classroom.
I recommend Java for high school students who are planning to take the AP Computer Science A test, students looking to learn about Object-Oriented Programming, or students looking to get into Minecraft modding or Android App Development down the line. For other students, I'd recommend learning Python, which I offer through small group classes or one-on-one tutoring.
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.
Example topics I teach are:
- 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
- Sorting and Searching
Cancellation Policy - One-on-One Tutoring
- Full Refund — If canceled 24 hours before the class start time.
- No Refunds — If canceled within 24 hours of class start time or for missed classes.
- Other refunds — Case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.
If the instructor cancels the tutoring session for any reason, a full refund will be issued.
Availability
My bookable hours are M-F from 9am - 9pm PT, though my detailed day-to-day availability can be found on the booking page. I generally don't open up weekends, but I am happy to do one-off weekend slots when needed. Please contact me to discuss options outside my regular hours.
Python Tutoring
Course Information
Pricing: $35 for 30 min/$70 for 55 min
Sessions can be booked up to 24 hours in advance.
One-on-one tutoring is open to all ages. This option is great for students who are looking to get support for a class as well as students who are looking to start learning Python one-on-one with a teacher outside of a formal classroom.
I highly recommend Python for students of all ages who want to learn to program and are not preparing to take the AP Computer Science A Test. Python is a fantastic first programming language and is incredibly popular both for hobbyists and in industry due to its simplicity, power, and flexibility.
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.
Example topics I teach are:
- Variables and Types, Operators
- User Input
- Booleans, If Statements, Loops
- Functions
- String Manipulation
- Data Structures: Lists, Tuples, 2D Lists, Dictionaries
- File Input/Output
Cancellation Policy - One-on-One Tutoring
- Full Refund — If canceled 24 hours before the class start time.
- No Refunds — If canceled within 24 hours of class start time or for missed classes.
- Other refunds — Case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.
If the instructor cancels the tutoring session for any reason, a full refund will be issued.
Availability
My bookable hours are M-F from 9am - 9pm PT, though my detailed day-to-day availability can be found on the booking page. I generally don't open up weekends, but I am happy to do one-off weekend slots when needed. Please contact me to discuss options outside my regular hours.
TEALS
I have volunteered with the TEALS program (Tecnology Education and Literacy in Schools) teaching AP Computer Science A since 2017, with a small break for the 2020-2021 school year. I taught one year at Tonasket High School (remotely), one year at Renton High School (in person), and the rest at Walla Walla High School (remotely).
I grew up in a family of teachers, so education has always 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. Growing up, I hadn't considered teaching as a career, but once I found TEALS, I realized it was the one thing I had been missing! I made the switch from Software Engineer to Tutor in 2023, which has allowed me to focus on the things that I love most: teaching and coding!
TEALS, or Tecnology Education and Literacy in Schools, is a Microsoft-sponsored program that pairs volunteers who have programming experience with high schools around the U.S. and Canada. Most schools still do not have any kind of Computer Science or technology programs, and 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 knowledgeable volunteers
- Students get direct access to volunteers that are part of the industry that can answer questions about both the material and careers
- Over several years with the program, classroom teachers can learn the material alongside students and take over teaching when they are comfortable with it
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.