PHS Profile: Edward Yin

PHS Python and AP Computer Science Principles teacher Edward Yin is three months into his second year of teaching at PHS, while simultaneously studying at Rutgers to obtain his masters degree in Public Informatics. Yin grew up in the neighboring town of Plainsboro, and as a child wasn’t interested in computer science.

“I actually hated [coding] a lot as a child — my dad was always like, ‘You have to learn JavaScript, you [have to] learn this, you [have to] learn that’ ... I'd be like, ‘Dad, I don't know what I'm doing, you [have to] help me out.’ And he'd be like, ‘No, you [have to] watch videos’… He didn't [really] teach me anything, so ... I [hated] coding,” said Yin.

Yin continued his education at Rutgers University, where he graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. His distaste for computer science began to soften as his major in chemical engineering introduced the usage of MATLAB, a programming language developed by the company MathWorks that is used to analyze data, develop algorithms, and create models.

“[MATLAB] was a pain ... to use, but also [I] realized [I’m] pretty good at it. I [was] getting my questions done pretty quickly It is very logical [and] intuitive to me. And at that point I said okay, I’m gonna do a [Computer Science] minor as well,” said Yin.

Following the advice of his computer science professor, after receiving his bachelor's degree Yin took the initiative to reach out to apply for an opening in PHS’s computer science program.

“[The professor] sent a batch email to the entire student body [of his Introduction to Data Science class], which is like hundreds of students ... But he just batched it to all his former students, which were any current graduates ... or like master students [saying] if you want to do this, just do this. So I was like, alright, cool.” said Yin.

Yin currently teaches Python Programming and AP Computer Science Principles. His primary teaching goal is to balance between having a fun classroom environment while at the same time still making sure his students learn the necessary skills involved with computer science.

“We're here to have fun. I'm trying to make the class fun, trying to make [computer science] approachable. I want to make sure I give out as much information as I can ... to teach the most I can. [There] definitely is more ... aggressive push in the sense of: let's get stuff done. [But] at the same time, though, I also understand you are human [and] you've got to chill and relax,” said Yin.

In addition to teaching and studying for his masters, Yin is a lifeguard and swim instructor with Princeton Fitness and Wellness at Plainsboro. He also enjoys spending time with his friends playing games.

“We started playing this new card game called Riftbound. We're pretty big card game aficionados, so we like [games] like Magic [The] Gathering [and] Riftbound,” said Yin. “We play video games on the side too.”

Yin also bring his commitment to fostering personal connection into the classroom.

“I think the human connection is the most important thing,” said Yin. “Helping others in general, I feel [has] always been a core principle of most forms of philosophy ... through the collective experiences, being alive, going around talking to people; you kind of build up that feeling [that] community is important ... [and that] It's a good thing to benefit those around me, because then it's going to benefit me [or] another