The Evolution of Learn WordPress

We’re thrilled to introduce Destiny Kanno in our latest episode of the Hostinger Academy podcast. Because the Head of Community Education at Automattic, Destiny plays a very important role within the Learn WordPress platform and the general WordPress community.

The Background

Destiny’s WordPress journey began when she was working for a small Japanese digital agency and constructing web sites with the platform.

She then applied to Automattic, and her WordPress journey took off. Her profession there was dynamic, with roles spanning from a Happiness Engineer to a Technical Account Manager and eventually settling in her current position because the Head of Community Education. 

Watch the Full Podcast

Don’t miss out on the complete conversation. Watch the entire episode on Hostinger Academy’s YouTube channel.

Unveiling the Growth of Learn WordPress

Destiny’s mission as a community education manager is advancing the Learn WordPress platform, managed by the WordPress Training Team. This digital learning space offers courses, tutorials, and lesson plans to equip users with WordPress knowledge.

“Learn WordPress is where we create a video about content from documentation. Suppose I’m looking up the right way to use full site editing or a block theme. In that case, we’re probably going to get a variety of information from the documentation after which incorporate that into actionable things that somebody would use in real life,” explains Destiny.

But Destiny doesn’t want Learn WordPress to be just a spot to get content. That’s why the team launched the Learning Pathways project, which offers curated content for specific user groups. 

For instance, if the team curates content for WordPress developers, they’ll find the appropriate content for beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. “I believe that’s really a critical stepping stone to make Learn WordPress the primary place to find out about WordPress,” adds Destiny.

How You Can Help the Training Team to Grow

A various group of individuals drives the Training Team. To be more specific, Destiny mentioned these groups of contributors and their roles:

• Content Creator – crafts the tutorials courses.
• Editor – reviews the content and ensures it looks good and presentable.
• Content Translator – localizes the Learn WordPress content and helps the team connect with local communities.
• Subject Matter Expert – guides individuals who need assistance with the content.
• Administrative role – manages the operation of the team.

Destiny is searching for more content creators and translators to drive the project forward. “We do have this ambitious goal of making these learning pathways, but we also need assistance creating and translating the content,” she explains.

If you need to be a part of the journey, visit the Make WordPress Training Team site and find the Getting Began link to the handbook. You will see that an onboarding video guide and directions to create the mandatory accounts, like WordPress.org, GitHub, and Slack, to start out with. It could sound complicated, but Destiny assures that the guide will make these look easy. 

“You’ll see Benjamin Evans within the video, who’s the team representative, and he’s made these sensible videos helping welcome you. It guides you thru five pathways to contribute to the Training Team,” encourages Destiny.

Destiny’s Involvement in BlackPress

Along with her role at Automattic, Destiny’s passion for community constructing has drawn her to BlackPress. Established in 2022, this initiative goals to create a platform where individuals from the Black diaspora can collaborate and be heard. A key aspect of BlackPress is empowering members through WordPress education, and Destiny has been a vocal advocate for this cause.

Destiny shared that one in every of the founding principles is bringing members of the Black diaspora into WordPress. “Possibly by teaching WordPress to communities online and bringing the networking to them. Moreover, we actually need to see a future for Black folks in schools to get into WordPress early and discover what opportunities are on the market for them once they’ve expert up on this software,” she explains.

To introduce this initiative to the community, Destiny was one in every of the speakers in a WordCamp US 2023 panel talk, “Amplifying Black Professionals in WordPress”, which you’ll be able to rewatch the session on YouTube.

Wisdom for WordPress Latest Comers

Before ending the podcast, Destiny gave some advice to people who find themselves jumping into WordPress or attending a community event like WordCamp for the primary time.

“Everyone seems to be more friendly than you’re probably anticipating. Don’t hesitate to initiate a conversation or raise your hand during a speaker session. If you could have an issue, we’re all learning together – nobody is an excellent expert. I believe you’ll find that while you just poke a little bit, that wall will crumble faster than you’d expect,” advises Destiny.