Sierra Acy
(she/her)
Code, Teach, Create!
Technical
Projects
Community
Tutoring
A new tutoring experience is under construction!
Check back soon! In the meantime, feel free to email me for more information.
Resume
Download Resume
Experience
August 2023 - PresentSelf-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
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 2016The 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
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.
Media
- March 2022: Building With People For People: The Unfiltered Build Podcast - Episode 05
- July 2020: TXCS Summer Academy at the University of Texas at Austin
- May 2019: Walla Walla Public Schools Career and Technical Education Newsletter
- Nobember 2017: The Seattle Times - How schools prepare the next generation to enter a digital workforce
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