HISTORY
Our Story
Bits, Bytes and Bots has been up and running since 2019. Proudly operating in the mid-south, we have offered programs in many schools and community centers. Our flexible curriculum and awesome team allow us to be one of Memphis's leading providers in STEM education. We promise to provide a fun and educational environment for each of our students.
Our lead instructors are wonderful college students who study a STEM related field. We are grateful they have found the time and dedication to be an integral part of our team.
Our assistant instructors are high schoolers from the Memphis area. Their bright future in STEM and youthful attitudes make them relatable to our students.
We are run by Dan Roberts and Lesly Urbina, but it is our wonderful and nerdy instructors who truly make Bit, Bytes, and Bots fun for students of all ages. Dan and Lesly have hand picked each of our instructors. We are proud to show off our team below!
meet the team
Dan Roberts 🇺🇸, Founder & director
Lesly Urbina 🇭🇳, Lead instructor & coordinator
Lesly Urbina 🇭🇳, Lead instructor & coordinator
Dan is a lifelong Memphian. After attending school at CMDS, Richland, Houston Middle, and Houston High Schools, Dan went on to get a degree in Engineering from Northwestern University and a Masters in Engineering from Christian Brothers University. He has been tutoring for the ACT and teaching homeschool classes since 2008.
Lesly Urbina 🇭🇳, Lead instructor & coordinator
Lesly Urbina 🇭🇳, Lead instructor & coordinator
Lesly Urbina 🇭🇳, Lead instructor & coordinator
Lesly is a computer science and mathematics major at Christian Brothers University. Lesly is determined to break barriers and make space for herself in the tech field. She pushes towards encouraging girls to become interested in coding. Lesly joined Bits, Bytes, & Bots in 2021 and has cultivated a love for teaching since.
Lead Instructors
Derek Herrera Diaz 🇲🇽
Christopher Mendez 🇲🇽🇭🇳
Christopher Mendez 🇲🇽🇭🇳
Derek is a first-generation Mexican computer science major at Christian Brothers University. His interest in the niche world of computer history archival has made him a great addition to the team. He has also always wanted to work in the educational field. Being a part of the team allows him to combine his love of technology and teaching!
Christopher Mendez 🇲🇽🇭🇳
Christopher Mendez 🇲🇽🇭🇳
Christopher Mendez 🇲🇽🇭🇳
Christopher is a Computer Science Major with a concentration in Cybersecurity at Christian Brothers University. He enjoys teaching/helping his peers with coding-related issues. He finds the importance of discovering and identifying his potential which he tries to bring to his students to help them discover their potential. We believe his patience and commitment to helping others learn makes him a great BBB instructor!
Jorge Sanchez 🇲🇽
Christopher Mendez 🇲🇽🇭🇳
Leonardo Sanchez 🇻🇪
Jorge is a computer science and math major at Christian Brothers University. Originally from Athens, GA, He has come to Memphis to study and serve the community. His love for children and teaching has truly made him a great instructor! Jorge hopes to widen diversity and create a safe space for everybody in the STEM field .
Leonardo Sanchez 🇻🇪
Leonardo Sanchez 🇻🇪
Leonardo Sanchez 🇻🇪
Leonardo is a computer science and mathematics major at Christian Brothers University. He has worked for non-profits teaching coding and web development to kids from Tennessee to Mississippi. He hopes that with his work he will generate a passion for technology in younger generations.
Vivian Pastrana 🇭🇳
Leonardo Sanchez 🇻🇪
Vivian Pastrana 🇭🇳
Vivian is an electrical engineering and computer science major at Christian Brothers University. Vivian was born and raise in Honduras and moved to Durham, North Carolina at the age of 8. Having worked at preschools, her experience makes her a great BBB instructor. During her free time, she likes to play video games, go on walks with her beagle named Jade or watch a show.
Leo Pitre 🇹🇼
Leonardo Sanchez 🇻🇪
Vivian Pastrana 🇭🇳
Leo is a computer science and math major at Christian Brother University. He was born and raised in Taiwan for 12 years. He enjoys using his math skills to help his students with figuring out how to solve puzzles and coding problems.
Manuel Soto 🇲🇽
Philip Pounds 🇺🇸
Philip Pounds 🇺🇸
Manuel is a computer science major at Christian Brothers University, specializing in cybersecurity. He is a first generation college student originally from DeQueen, Arkansas. Immersed in stem studies, he actively engages in coding competitions and workshops to enhance his teaching approach!
Philip Pounds 🇺🇸
Philip Pounds 🇺🇸
Philip Pounds 🇺🇸
Philip has developed apps, led coding organizations around Memphis, and been with Bits, Bytes, and Bots since 2020. He creates a safe pace for students to learn STEM through trial and error. His patience and relatability allow him to connect with students and lead them towards success.
Connor Jordon 🇺🇸
Philip Pounds 🇺🇸
Connor Jordon 🇺🇸
Connor hopes to make knowledge of technology accessible to everyone. He has dedicated his time teaching STEM camps for Houston Middle. His great communication and love for kids make him a great instructor.
Assistant Instructors
John Pounds 🇺🇸
Blake Freeman 🇺🇸
Blake Freeman 🇺🇸
John is 17 years old and homeschooled, and has been programming in various languages since 4th grade. He currently does lots of web development and is on the leadership team of Memphis Hack Club. He loves teaching, and finds great fulfillment in helping the students understand the material and apply it to their personal projects!
Blake Freeman 🇺🇸
Blake Freeman 🇺🇸
Blake Freeman 🇺🇸
Blake has dedicated his life to pursuing the STEM field. Outside of Bits, Bytes, & Bots he is a student teacher for engineering and robotics classes; he also founded a non-profit organization tasked with giving students engaging ways to code. Through his passion he hopes to lead the new generation with a love of technology and how to use it.
Scott Yelland 🇺🇸
Scott Yelland 🇺🇸
Scott Yelland 🇺🇸
Scott currently attends Mid-South Gifted Academy. His fascination in engineering and leadership skills makes him a great instructor. Being one of Dan's students has also made me extra prepared to be an instructor. In his free time he loves to travel and has been traveling since he was a kid.
Dylan Nixon 🇺🇸
Scott Yelland 🇺🇸
Scott Yelland 🇺🇸
Dylan goes to White Station High where he has taken every available comp sci class. He has received the CompTia IT certification for hardware and software knowledge. He also comes from a family of STEM workers and teachers, which make him a great instructor!