The Surprising Teacher

When I started mentoring other engineers and teaching at Hack Reactor, I thought the main goal was to help students learn. What I quickly discovered was that teaching taught me just as much. Every time I explained a concept, whether it was a tricky algorithm or a subtle JavaScript quirk, I realized how much my own understanding deepened.

There is something unique about teaching. It forces you to organize your thoughts, anticipate questions, and see the gaps in your own knowledge. Concepts that felt intuitive suddenly need to be articulated clearly, and in that process, you uncover insights you may have overlooked. Teaching makes you a better engineer because it challenges you to truly understand the material, not just know it on a surface level.

Explaining Forces Clarity

One of the first lessons I learned from teaching code is that if you cannot explain it simply, you probably do not understand it well enough. I remember walking through closures in JavaScript with a student who kept asking questions that I had never thought about. In trying to clarify my explanation, I had to slow down and rethink the concept from the ground up.

That process forced me to identify the precise mechanics of closures, how they interact with scope, and why they are so useful. I realized that explaining something aloud is not just about conveying knowledge to someone else. It is about testing your own understanding and filling in any holes. Every teaching moment is a mirror reflecting the depth of your comprehension.

Learning Through Questions

Mentoring is different from traditional teaching because students ask questions in real time. Those questions often reveal assumptions or areas I had taken for granted. At Hack Reactor, students would challenge me with questions like why a particular pattern works better than another or what happens behind the scenes in the runtime environment.

Answering these questions requires more than memorization. It requires reasoning, experimenting, and sometimes even looking up answers alongside the student. That collaborative exploration reinforces learning in a way that studying alone cannot. I often find myself walking away from a teaching session having learned something new or seen a familiar topic from a fresh perspective.

Making Concepts Tangible

Another lesson from teaching is the importance of examples and analogies. Code can feel abstract, especially for someone who is new to programming. To make it tangible, I often use real-world analogies, visual diagrams, or step-by-step examples.

In the process of creating these explanations, I gain a deeper understanding of the subject myself. Translating technical ideas into simple, relatable examples forces me to consider every detail. Why does this code behave this way? What are the edge cases? How can I make it as clear as possible without losing accuracy? Teaching pushes me to think about code in a more structured and deliberate way.

Patience and Empathy

Teaching code is also a lesson in patience and empathy. Not every student learns at the same pace or in the same way. Some grasp concepts immediately, while others need time and repetition. Learning to adapt your explanations to different learning styles has helped me approach problems more thoughtfully in my own work.

I have found that the empathy I develop while teaching extends to how I work with teammates. Understanding that everyone approaches problems differently allows me to collaborate more effectively. It reinforces the idea that the goal is not just to write code but to create an environment where learning and problem-solving can thrive.

Reinforcing Fundamentals

One of the most important benefits of teaching is that it reinforces the fundamentals. It is easy to rely on intuition or habits in your own coding, but when you teach, you have to explain why those practices matter. I often revisit core concepts like data structures, algorithms, and design patterns while preparing lessons.

This repetition deepens my understanding and keeps my skills sharp. Teaching prevents stagnation because it constantly challenges you to justify and articulate your choices. It reminds me that mastery is not just about knowing advanced techniques, but also about fully grasping the basics.

Confidence Through Communication

Explaining code clearly builds confidence in more ways than one. It improves technical communication, which is crucial in team environments and client interactions. It also strengthens your confidence in your own knowledge. When you can break down a complex topic and guide someone else through it, you realize that you truly understand it yourself.

At Hack Reactor, I have seen students gain confidence as they grasp concepts I once explained. Watching that process reinforces my own confidence and motivates me to continue refining my teaching and technical skills. Teaching is a cycle where both mentor and student grow together.

Continuous Learning

Teaching code also reinforces a mindset of continuous learning. Technology changes rapidly, and staying up to date is part of the job. When you teach, you are constantly revisiting old topics, exploring new ones, and explaining the nuances that might have been overlooked in your own practice.

Every time I prepare for a lesson or answer a student question, I am learning. I am reminded that being a great engineer is not just about coding—it is about curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning and teaching.

Why Teaching Makes You a Better Engineer

Mentoring and teaching code has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. It has deepened my technical understanding, improved my communication skills, and strengthened my confidence. Explaining concepts to others forces you to think more clearly, identify gaps in your knowledge, and approach problems from multiple angles.

Teaching reminds me that mastery is not a destination but a process. The act of sharing knowledge benefits both the student and the teacher. By teaching code, I continue to grow as an engineer, and I am reminded that some of the best learning happens when you help someone else learn.