How I Switched Careers from Elementary School Teacher to Freelance Web Developer Thanks to TripleTen

By Michaela Budde, TripleTen grad

In 2022, I found myself burnt out as an elementary school special education teacher. I loved my students and families, but I was exhausted. It felt like I was paid for half the work and expected to volunteer the rest. Seeing how slowly my income would grow, I realized I needed a change if I was going to reach my long-term goals.

Halfway through the school year, I began researching bootcamps. That’s when I came across TripleTen. Their programs ranked highly, so I took the career quiz, read about potential income levels, and scheduled a call with an advisor.

I was nervous. I knew almost nothing about software engineering and thought code looked intimidating. But from the start, the advisor made me feel welcome and supported. Encouraged by that first interaction, I signed up and dove into Sprint 0.

Once I reached my first project, something clicked. My artistic, design-oriented mindset gave me an edge. Seeing the finished web page I had built was incredibly gratifying. Even though it wasn’t easy to code after a long day of teaching, I kept reminding myself: even 20 minutes is better than none. Slowly but steadily, I made progress.

By Sprint 5, I was confident in HTML and CSS, active in the learning community, and getting the hang of JavaScript. My learning coach invited me to become a senior student—a volunteer role supporting peers in earlier sprints. I jumped at the opportunity, knowing teaching is one of the best ways to deepen your learning. I also organized a study group with fellow students, and we encouraged each other through the program’s challenges.

That support network gave me the confidence to enter two back-to-back hackathons. I loved collaborating with other developers and got a real taste of what working on a software team might be like. Leadership, communication, and technical skills all came into play, and I began to see how my strengths could shape a career in tech.

Of course, there were times I hit a wall. The volume of new concepts could be overwhelming, and I sometimes wondered if I could really succeed. But the tutor office hours and one-on-one support made all the difference. Sometimes I needed a concept re-explained; other times, my code was just missing a comma. No matter the issue, the tutors were patient, kind, and always helpful.

As I neared the end of the program, things started to feel more manageable. The later sprints were still challenging, but thanks to the foundation I’d built, I could handle them. That old saying about the glass being half full or empty really rang true—I chose to see how far I’d come. From not knowing how to write a single line of code to building and debugging full-stack applications—it was an amazing transformation.

For my final project, I got to design and build a React app from scratch. I came up with the idea, chose the color scheme, and brought it to life. I was proud and energized—but also a little scared. Without the structure and support of the program, I’d soon be out in the real world. I had to decide: apply for jobs or go the freelance route?

Ultimately, I chose freelancing for the freedom and autonomy it offered. I built a business plan, created a logo, launched a website, and began taking on projects for friends and family. Shortly after graduating, TripleTen offered me an externship—a strong addition to my portfolio and résumé.

At first, the sheer number of technologies and languages I had yet to learn felt overwhelming. But the externship taught me something valuable: I didn’t need to know everything. Instead of trying to do it all, I could lean into my strengths and find my specialty. That mindset shift helped me focus and gain clarity.

Since then, I’ve worked with three clients to launch or upgrade their business websites. Freelancing allows me to take on projects aligned with my values and interests, giving me both creative freedom and meaningful client collaboration.

Now, nearly a year into running my business—Mariposa Effect Co—I feel confident I chose the right path. I hope to eventually grow it into a cooperative with UX/UI designers and back-end engineers so we can collaborate and expand our offerings.

TripleTen helped me completely reinvent my career. I put in the effort, and now I’m seeing the rewards. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.