Stephanie Lee

Software Engineering Senior Instructional Associate, General Assembly

Los Angeles

Stephanie Lee is a Senior Instructional Associate at General Assembly who’s passionate about making code approachable and empowering for all learners. She specializes in JavaScript, React, and UX Design, blending technical skill with creativity to help students connect theory to real-world application.

With hands-on experience building full-stack web apps and mentoring aspiring developers, Stephanie focuses on creating a supportive space where students feel confident exploring, problem-solving, and growing. Outside of code and the classroom, she loves playing golf, traveling with her family, and finding inspiration in everyday creativity.

What is your favorite technical skill to work with on your own projects and why?

My favorite technical skill to work with is React. I love how it combines creativity and logic — translating user experience ideas into dynamic, reusable components is both satisfying and intellectually stimulating. It’s also constantly evolving, so I enjoy experimenting with new hooks, libraries, and patterns to make interfaces feel more seamless and intuitive.

I love teaching JavaScript fundamentals. It’s the foundation that empowers students to truly understand what’s happening under the hood of every framework they’ll ever use. Seeing that "lightbulb moment" when a student finally grasps the concepts is incredibly rewarding — it builds confidence and curiosity that carries them through the rest of their learning journey.

The most important thing to me is helping students build both competence, confidence and community. Many learners come in feeling intimidated by code, and my goal is to create a space where they feel supported, capable, and motivated to keep problem-solving even when it’s hard. Teaching at GA isn’t just about syntax — it’s about empowering students to think like developers, collaborate effectively, and apply their skills in real-world settings.

Start by embracing the mindset of continuous learning. Tech moves fast, and progress doesn’t come from knowing everything — it comes from staying curious, practicing consistently, and being willing to make mistakes. Break problems down into small, manageable pieces, celebrate small wins, and don’t compare your journey to others. Persistence is what transforms beginners into professionals. Trust yourself and trust the process.

Outside of teaching, I’ve built projects using many of the technologies taught in bootcamp — particularly the MERN stack and Python/Django — while continuously exploring new tools and design approaches to stay sharp in an ever-evolving field. I’m a lifelong learner who loves solving problems, experimenting, and pushing myself to grow with every new challenge as a developer.

WHAT STEPHANIE'S STUDENTS ARE SAYING...

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