In this series of interviews with managers across Skillsoft, we aimed to uncover the power skills that play a pivotal role in managing technical teams. Throughout the series, you’ll hear from distinctive technical leaders across the Skillsoft team, ranging from curriculum developers to a director of software engineering, to shed light on the unique challenges technical managers face in people management roles. 

As the fast-paced world of education technology ebbs and flows, leaders who blend a passion for teaching with technical expertise are invaluable. One of those leaders is a part of the Skillsoft Codecademy curriculum team. Sarai Fernandez is a Sr. Curriculum Manager focused on data, AI and security course content, where she leads with confidence and competence.  

Sarai's path from a classroom teacher to a key leader in the education technology field is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to quality education. 

Sarai’s journey into the realm of computer science traces back to her early middle and high school years, where she was drawn to math classes. She then decided to pursue her bachelor's degree at Stanford University, studying Symbolic Systems, where she really began to test her coding and technical knowledge. During her sophomore year she became a teaching assistant for CS106A, Stanford’s introductory programming course. This is where Sarai found fulfillment in supporting her peers learning and began to grow confidence in her own programming skills. During her time as a TA, she recalls developing her problem-solving and communication skills, while also growing as a leader and as a teacher.

“