In September 2023, I began a new chapter in my career: becoming a lead teacher at Ironhack, where I was tasked with equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in the fast-paced world of UX/UI design. Having spent years in the industry as a designer, stepping into this new role allowed me to see design from a completely different perspective—through the eyes of students eager to break into the field.
This article is a reflection on my first teaching experience at Ironhack, sharing the challenges, rewards, and insights I gained while guiding a class of remote students through a 9-week UX/UI bootcamp.
A Unique Teaching Team and Remote Classroom Setup
I was fortunate to work alongside Melanie da Silva, my talented Teaching Assistant (TA), who played a crucial role in supporting both me and the students. In addition to Melanie, I had the help of several Central Teaching Assistants (CTAs), who provided extra guidance to students, helping to ensure everyone stayed on track, especially in the fully remote learning environment.
As a designer, I’ve always been a proponent of using the right tools to create seamless user experiences. As a teacher, I found that my audio-visual (AV) skills and equipment came in handy to create a professional, broadcast-ready experience for my students. Teaching remotely is a challenge in itself, but being able to deliver lessons with high-quality visuals and sound made the virtual classroom feel much more engaging and interactive. This was an exciting opportunity to merge two areas of my expertise: UX design and AV production.
The 9-Week UX/UI Bootcamp: A Rollercoaster of Learning
The bootcamp spanned 9 intensive weeks, and every day felt like a new challenge for both the students and me. The course covered a wide array of UX/UI skills, from user research and wireframing to prototyping and design systems. The goal was to make students job-ready by the end of the bootcamp, and I was amazed at how much progress they made in such a short period.
Guiding a class remotely came with its own set of challenges. Without the benefit of physical presence, I had to be extra mindful of how I communicated, ensuring that my instructions were clear and that students felt supported despite the distance. This was where my experience as a UX designer really came into play. Effective communication is at the heart of good design, and I applied the same principles to teaching—ensuring that every interaction, whether a lecture, feedback session, or group critique, was meaningful and focused on creating value for the students.
The Rewarding Aspect of Teaching
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was watching the students’ skills grow. At the beginning of the course, many were completely new to UX/UI design. By the end of the 9 weeks, they were presenting impressive projects that demonstrated their ability to apply key design principles in real-world scenarios. It was clear that they were not just learning design skills; they were learning how to think like designers.
What surprised me the most was how much I enjoyed the experience of working with a single “client”—the students—over an extended period. In my career as a UX designer, I’ve often worked on short-term projects for various clients, but this was different. Teaching allowed me to invest deeply in the success of each student, and seeing their growth over time was incredibly fulfilling.
Bridging Industry Experience with Education
One of the key takeaways from my teaching experience is that there’s so much overlap between being a UX designer and an educator. As a designer, you’re constantly empathizing with users, understanding their pain points, and crafting solutions to meet their needs. As a teacher, you do much the same—empathizing with your students, identifying where they’re struggling, and guiding them toward understanding and mastery.
At Ironhack, I had the privilege of passing on industry-standard tools and techniques, but I also learned a great deal from the students. Their curiosity, creativity, and passion for learning inspired me, and I found myself growing as a designer and communicator throughout the bootcamp.
Incorporating industry insights into the curriculum, ensuring that the students were learning job-relevant skills, and watching their confidence grow over the 9 weeks was a deeply rewarding experience. By the end, I wasn’t just proud of the students for their hard work—I was also proud of the journey we had taken together.
Looking Ahead
My first experience teaching at Ironhack has been a transformative one, both personally and professionally. Teaching remotely, working with an incredible team, and watching the students grow from beginners to capable designers has solidified my belief in the power of education and mentorship.
As I look to the future, I’m excited about continuing to bridge my experience as a UX designer with my role as an educator. There’s something truly special about helping others step into the world of design, and I can’t wait to see where this teaching journey takes me next.
