I met Avi when I was 16, just a high school kid trying to teach myself how to code without any real
guidance or support. I was passionate but lost, and formal computer science education felt out of reach.
Avi took me under his wing, not just as a teacher but as a mentor who believed in me before I even knew
what I was capable of.
He introduced me to Flatiron School, where I found not just an education, but a community and a career
path. That experience changed everything. Today, I'm the CTO of
Remo Health, leading a team of engineers and building technology that makes a difference in people's lives—all
because Avi gave me the foundation and the confidence to pursue this path.
Avi doesn't just teach people how to code. He changes lives. Mine is just one of countless stories of
people he has inspired, pushed, and helped shape into the technologists and leaders we are today. I
wouldn't be where I am without him.
Jason DeCastro
During my senior year of highschool, I found myself at a crossroads. I didn't think I could major in computer science,
but I had developed a deep interest in coding but didn't think I belonged in tech.
That's when I found Flatiron School—and through it, Avi. Flatiron wasn't just a place to learn; it was a
community. I met incredible people from all walks of life, adults with diverse backgrounds and
experiences, all of us united by the same drive to build something meaningful. The friendships I made
there have lasted to this day.
After graduating college, I landed my first job at
Planvan, then moved to
Spotify, then
Meta. For the last five years, I've been a Data Scientist at
Instagram, doing work I never imagined would be possible back when I was struggling to figure out my life.
Avi created more than just a school—he built a gateway into a world that so many people, like me, didn't
think was accessible to them. His vision and mentorship changed the trajectory of my life, just as it has
for so many others.
Julia Taitz
