In a move shaped by both personal motivation and professional purpose, educator Kay Cavataio is preparing to open two Code Ninjas learning centers in O’Fallon and Edwardsville, Illinois. Her decision grew from a search for engaging technology programs for her own young son and quickly evolved into a broader mission to bring structured coding education to families in her community.
Cavataio brings years of classroom experience to the venture. A former middle school and special education teacher who now works in elementary education, she has long focused on finding creative ways to connect children with meaningful learning opportunities. Her early pilot coding classes at a local recreation center drew strong interest, quickly filling and forming a waitlist, which confirmed a growing appetite among parents for accessible STEM instruction.
She credits Code Ninjas for providing the framework and support that made her transition into franchise ownership possible. Cavataio said the brand’s training, curriculum design, and operational guidance gave her confidence to expand from small community programs into permanent learning centers. Parents who participated in the pilot classes expressed enthusiasm for a structured environment where children could develop problem-solving skills through hands-on projects.
Navin Gurnaney, Chief Executive Officer of Code Ninjas, has noted that franchisees like Cavataio reflect the brand’s focus on community-driven growth. He said rising interest in technology education continues to fuel expansion in markets where families are eager to prepare children for a digital future.
As the new centers prepare to open, Cavataio’s story highlights a wider trend in youth education and franchising. Her approach blends classroom experience with entrepreneurship, offering families in southern Illinois a place where curiosity and confidence can grow alongside practical technology skills.
