Courtney Robertson (@courane01) – WordPress user profile

Member Since: April 14th, 2009
Location: 17202
Website: courtneyr.dev
GitHub: courtneyr-dev
Job Title: Web Designer & Developer Advocate, WordPress Teacher
Employer: GoDaddy
Find me on:

Bio

Courtney Robertson, an accomplished Open Source Developer Advocate at GoDaddy, a dedicated WordPress Training Team Faculty Member, and a co-founding board member of The WP Community Collective, effortlessly engages audiences with her relatable insights on getting involved and supporting contributors in the open source community. Staying true to her roots as a professional educator, Courtney seamlessly merges her teaching expertise with her passion for technology.

Serving developers, website creators, and open source enthusiasts, Courtney delivers immense value by drawing from her rich background as a computer science educator and full-stack developer. She is driven by a strong commitment to onboarding the next generation of contributors and advocating for sustainable funding solutions for open source developers.

Interests

Away from the screen, Courtney embraces her creative side, whether it’s by playing her 7-string electric violin, exploring the possibilities of 3D printing, hiking through nature, or tending to her abundant vegetable garden. Her multifaceted interests and genuine enthusiasm make Courtney a truly inspiring contributor in the open source community.

WordPress Origin Story

In 2006, I stumbled upon open-source software while teaching high school business, computer, and information technology. I was on the hunt for tools that could serve as an extension of my classroom. That’s when I discovered WordPress as the perfect solution for a blog for my students.

The four freedoms of open source, granted by the GPL, caught my attention and got me thinking about the potential of a new societal framework. As a teacher, it was crucial to have access to no-cost licenses for classroom use. On top of that, most of the software I used never let me peek at their code to study how they worked.

During my early years with WordPress, I found that documentation was pretty scarce. There were no handy five-minute installs back then! While I was comfortable teaching HTML and CSS, PHP was uncharted territory for me. I knew how to work with databases and write queries, but PHP code remained a mystery. It took me years to decipher the code and find helpful training materials. My initial challenge was registering sidebars to add widgets to a website using the Revolution theme, but soon, I became hooked on enhancing WordPress.

Fast forward to 2009, and I found myself attending two WordCamps. WordCamp Mid-Atlantic had just sold out of tickets, but I was eager to be there. I offered to volunteer at the event and ended up checking attendees in at the door, which turned out to be an amazing networking opportunity. A few months later, I attended WordCamp NYC, where I had the chance to chat with Matt Mullenweg.

In 2014, I was back at WordCamp NYC, this time participating in the contributor day. Although I felt intimidated by the discussions about the upcoming REST API, I decided to join the Marketing or Training teams. Having taught marketing as part of business education, I was torn but ultimately settled with the Training team. I learned how to keep attending meetings and began writing lesson plans on using post formats, later adding theme support and designs for developers. By 2015, I became a team rep.

Early in 2016, I had the fantastic opportunity to teach WordPress at a vocational career technical school for high school students. We built and modified websites, and students were assessed through projects and quizzes using WordPress as a learning management system (LMS). They learned to install plugins, rate and review them, and tweak the code to suit their needs. We also experimented with multiple themes.

Later, I joined The Events Calendar, working in support and marketing release communications. I managed the knowledgebase, product pages, and staff training on release changes. While creating technical documents, I got to test new features and report any bugs I found to the developers.

In the spring of 2020, I found myself teaching WordPress in a high school classroom once again. My students were paid interns learning to build websites, and they even presented at WordCamp Philly that summer. I continued with the same bootcamp, instructing a front-end developer curriculum that covered HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, Git, and WordPress. However, I still felt a need for better educational materials and standards for bootcamps funded by government organizations. I knew I needed to get closer to the source.

By 2022, I joined GoDaddy as a Developer Advocate. Now, my work involves contributing to Training and other teams, advocating for WordPress as open source software, sponsoring events, and communicating with developer-oriented customers and our internal developer staff.

My WordPress journey has taken many twists and turns over the years, but it’s helped me acquire the skills I need for my current role. I’m passionate about onboarding contributors and supporting people at all skill levels in achieving their goals. Collaborating across teams and with friends around the globe is what makes it all worthwhile.

Contributions Sponsored

GoDaddy sponsors Courtney Robertson to contribute 30 hours per week to the following teams: Documentation, Marketing, Meta, Test, and Training.

Contribution History

Core Contributor
Marketing Contributor
Meta Contributor
Meta Team
Pattern Author
Photo Contributor
Plugin Developer
Test Contributor
Training Contributor
Training Team
WordCamp Speaker
WordPress.tv Contributor

Activity
Plugins
Photos
Favorites

Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
The WordPress Training Team, Marketing, and Polyglots have reviewed this proposal with no objections. Our…
4 days ago
Created issue #1577 in the WordPress/Learn repository:
Implementing Learning Pathways
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Thanks so much @ninianepress! Wordsmithing matters in identifying how we communicate with the broader community…
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Similarly is https://training.linuxfoundation.org and @matt once shared https://trailhead.salesforce.com/ with me as a resource we should…
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Agreed! Showing folks what is foundational and letting them self-select where to jump in matters.…
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Thanks for your many years here contributing @meaganhanes :D
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Absolutely Wes! Thank you!
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Yes! This is what I did while instructing in a high school and a BootCamp.…
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Ideally this will be our courses. Courses can be a series of mixed media for…
4 days ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
I love the idea of the API from WordPress. Likely this would include their profiles…
4 days ago
Received props from @SeReedMedia in Slack:
Props to @courane01 for leading the #meta meeting! :raised_hands:
2 weeks ago
Wrote a comment on the post Day 3: #WP20 From Blogs to Blocks, on the site Make WordPress.org Marketing:
Have a site that you want to embed a preview card as a link, but…
3 weeks ago
Wrote a comment on the post Day 2: #WP20 From Blogs to Blocks, on the site Make WordPress.org Marketing:
When Kubrick theme ruled them all. https://courtneyr.dev/2023/05/10/my-first-wordpress-site/
3 weeks ago
Wrote a comment on the post Day 1: #WP20 From Blogs to Blocks, on the site Make WordPress.org Marketing:
I've had a profile since 2009. Today I finally filled in my WP origin story.…
3 weeks ago
Wrote a comment on the post Day 1: #WP20 From Blogs to Blocks, on the site Make WordPress.org Marketing:
+make.wordpress.org/photos/ +make.wordpress.org/training/
3 weeks ago
Wrote a comment on the post FSE Program Exploration: Build a block theme, on the site Make WordPress Test:
I didn't finish quite in time, but will have something in today to share.
1 month ago
Completed the course A Developers Guide to Block Themes – Part 2 on learn.wordpress.org
1 month ago
Completed the course A Developers Guide to Block Themes – Part 1 on learn.wordpress.org
1 month ago
Completed the course Introduction to Block Development: Build your first custom block on learn.wordpress.org
1 month ago
Pull request #49961 merged into WordPress/gutenberg:
Update outreach.md
1 month ago
Submitted pull request #49961 to WordPress/gutenberg:
Update outreach.md
1 month ago
Created a topic, Incompatible with Blockbase theme, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
I attempted to activate this with only Blockbase theme…
1 month ago
Wrote a comment on the post WordPress 6.3 Planning Proposal & Call for Volunteers, on the site Make WordPress Core:
Raising my hand for a Training Lead cc: @chanthaboune
1 month ago
Posted a reply to Block Pattern Editor error in WP 6.2, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
Are you able to share screenshots or a short video of what happens before and…
1 month ago
Wrote a comment on the post Preparing for the Next Women & Nonbinary Release Squad, on the site Make WordPress Core:
I would like to ride-along and be mentored by someone who has been some form…
2 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
+make.wordpress.org/marketing/ +make.wordpress.org/polyglots/
2 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Recent updates vs holistic learning: This would not be an either/or approach to content creation…
2 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Could you elaborate on what this personalization process would look like? In the responses we…
2 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Introduction to WordPress Development syllabus, on the site Make WordPress Training:
No worries on precise terminology. We'll get there. It is the hardest thing in product…
2 months ago
Posted a reply to Block Pattern Editor error in WP 6.2, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
Hi @4blkstars Are any other plugins active while this is happening? Can you reproduce with…
2 months ago
Created issue #1463 in the WordPress/Learn repository:
Topic Idea: How to write image alt-text
2 months ago
Wrote a new post, Proposal: Creating Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Learning Pathways for Learn WordPress Learning pathways are a structured sequence of educational experiences or…
2 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Introduction to WordPress Development syllabus, on the site Make WordPress Training:
Would all of this be one course? I think of Learning Pathways as a series…
2 months ago
Posted a reply to Gutenberg dosent work, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
Glad it is working now. I just saw this and it could be related:https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/49501
2 months ago
Posted a reply to Gutenberg dosent work, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
Hi @webexs, here's a solution to modifying the site icon/logo. The WordPress logo is the…
2 months ago
Received props from @francina in Slack:
Props to @costdev @pbiron @ankitmaru @eboxnet @nitman43 @aedin @webcommsat @oglekler @courane01 @SergeyBiryukov @caraya @joemoto @James…
2 months ago
Posted a reply to Can I use all WordPress features on WordPress Mobile App?, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
Core blocks are fully available. Custom blocks from plugins are not available, nor custom post…
2 months ago
Gave props in Slack:
Props to @francina for facilitating the WP6.2-RC3 release party
2 months ago
Received props from @francina in Slack:
Props to @ankitmaru @caraya @courane01 @pbiron @nitman43 @costdev @mukesh27 @hellofromTonya @wplmillet @oglekler @ndiego for testing…
2 months ago
Posted a reply to Cannot delete Jetpack plugin, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
Hi @androidandreas The steps on https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/wordpress-housekeeping/#delete-old-or-unwanted-plugins walk you through two methods: Deleting a plugin through…
2 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Proposal: Creating a WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program, on the site WordPress.org Project:
Count me in (despite very late to comment) as this aligns well with a learning…
2 months ago
Received props from @francina in Slack:
Props to all the fantastic people that showed up for WordPress 6.2 RC2 :rocket: Props…
3 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Launching the Contributor Working Group: Call for Volunteers, on the site Make WordPress Community:
Count me in. This ties nicely to some courses ideas for LearnWP.
3 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Advance Notice of Retirement, on the site Make WordPress Plugins:
Thank you Mika for all you have contributed over the years. Continue to care for…
3 months ago
Received props from @francina in Slack:
And mega props to @courane01 who kindly gathered the information for the props (props inception!)…
3 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Introduction to WordPress Development: A proposed learning path, on the site Make WordPress Training:
+make.wordpress.org/marketing/
3 months ago
Received props from @francina in Slack:
Props for the fine folks that helped with WordPress 6.2 Beta 5 on Tuesday, March…
3 months ago
Wrote a comment on the post Recap: Sensei Pro LMS Demo for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
That is very relevant. Staying closer to Sensei Pro's releases, product roadmap, and implementing the…
3 months ago
Wrote a new post, Recap: WordPress 6.2 Beta 4 Release Party Ride Along, on the site Make WordPress Training:
https://youtu.be/umhLeD2QcOI Release Party for WordPress 6.2 Hosting a release party for WordPress 6.2 with a…
3 months ago
Wrote a new post, Recap: Sensei Pro LMS Demo for Learn WordPress, on the site Make WordPress Training:
https://youtu.be/y4BQqtmJkVs Attendees: @burtrw @courane01 Chapter 1: Navigating Learn WordPress Courses Learn WordPress is a platform…
3 months ago