As the second cohort of our Amazon Web Services (AWS) bootcamp is nearing the end of the course, we take a moment to reflect on the inspiring journey of one of our previous AWS students—Yun Li. Once a student in the AWS programme, Yun transitioned into a MigraCode instructor this year, guiding new learners through the complexities of cloud computing. Her experience offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of both learning and teaching AWS.
Overcoming Challenges as a Student and Applying Lessons to Teaching
“The transition from being a student to an AWS tutor has been a fascinating experience for me,” Yun shares. Having enrolled in the AWS course in January 2024, she successfully passed the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam in May. Looking back, she finds that revisiting the material as an instructor has deepened her understanding significantly.
“Many of the concepts I focused on while preparing for the exam—whether key topics or challenging points—are now aspects I carefully consider, ensuring I dedicate enough time to explaining them clearly to my students.“
To make complex topics more accessible, Yun puts a lot of effort into breaking down intricate concepts into simple, easy-to-understand explanations. She prepares extensively by researching materials, watching tutorial videos, completing labs in advance, and anticipating potential challenges for students. Her attention to detail and sense of responsibility have strengthened her teaching approach.
“As a student, I initially found the vast amount of content overwhelming, and some abstract concepts were hard to grasp. I actively asked questions, conducted additional research after class, and completed any unfinished labs on my own time. One technique that helped me was using vivid metaphors to simplify difficult concepts—something I now incorporate into my teaching. My curiosity and ability to explain complicated ideas clearly have undoubtedly made me a better tutor.“
Challenges Faced as an AWS Instructor
Every student in the current cohort brings a unique background and varying levels of experience with AWS. While some students are highly independent and complete labs quickly, others require additional guidance.
“One of the biggest challenges I face is maximizing the class’s efficiency for every individual. To address this, I use interactive tools like polls to gauge students’ progress and difficulties, allowing me to focus on the concepts that need extra clarification. For students who need additional support with labs, I record exercises so they can review them after class.“
Lessons Learned from Teaching AWS
Serving as an AWS tutor has been a rewarding experience for Yun. Teaching has not only reinforced her knowledge but also honed her ability to explain concepts in the most effective way possible.
“I constantly think about how to present complex ideas in the simplest and most accessible way so students can truly understand and apply their knowledge.
Having been a student myself, I can relate to their struggles and learning needs, which allows me to support them more effectively.”
Beyond technical expertise, Yun values the sense of community within the AWS programme. “I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity to give back to such a warm and supportive environment. I would love to continue volunteering and contributing to future AWS cohorts.”
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