Jones College Prep welcomed two new teachers this summer: Javier Nieto and Klebb Chiang. Mr. Nieto is a veteran educator and teaches computer science, while Teacher Chiang is a recent college graduate and teaches math.
Mr. Nieto is a new addition to the Computer Science department, where he will teach Exploring Computer Science (ECS) and AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
“Exploring Computer Science is a class that entails all the different fields of computer science… We’ll do a little bit of networking, a little bit of robotics, and a little programming,” said Nieto.
Nieto’s involvement in computer science programs for CPS stretches back over two decades.
“I’ve been in CPS for—it’s going to be 23 years. I started teaching architectural drafting and computer science, like Java,” said Nieto. “I did that for about two years, then became a Tech Coordinator. I was in that role for about 18 years, but I also taught ECS classes.”
His relationship with computer science began in an unconventional way.
“My parents had businesses growing up, and I actually had a pretty nice corporate job. But I had to quit to help out with the family business,” said Nieto.
“In doing that, I had to learn everything about running a business—including setting up computers.”
Outside of school, Nieto enjoys traveling, yoga and golf.
“Yoga and golf—I think they go hand in hand. If you’re able to do your yoga, your golf is going to be a lot better. I’m not great at golf, but I’m getting there.”
“Teacher Chiang, Jones’ math department, teaches Math 3A and Integrated Math One to students of all grade levels.
“Teaching Math 3A… I think it’s what other schools would consider some combination of Algebra and Geometry… it’s a lot of different math topics all kind of wrapped up in one,” said Chiang.
With all their preparation, Chiang is excited for their first real teaching job.
“I’ve been involved in some education-adjacent things for a while, I’ve been coaching, volunteering, tutoring in various places. It’s not the same thing, but I feel like that’s given me at least some orientation in the right direction up until now,” said Chiang.
In college, Chiang seemed set on working in academia- until an experience they had while volunteering for a Math Olympiad changed their career course.
“There were a couple of teams that were staying at the same hotel that we were in…. They came up to us and we talked about strategy for like, an hour. And then I think that night, I kind of went, Yeah, this is what I want to do with my life. Because there was some feeling or some joy there that was kind of special,” said Chiang.
Chiang plans to carry that love of the Math Olympiad with them to Jones.
“I’ve been very excited to finally be able to coach properly… my goal is to upset the balance in the state. Because it has been a two and a half team show in Illinois for so long. It’s Stevenson, New Trier, UChicago lab. But after those three, everyone else is beatable,” said Chiang.
In their free time, Chiang likes puzzle hunting, solving Rubik’s Cubes, and Geoguessr.
“I play a little too much Geoguessr for my own good… I have these interests that I have that are, like, pretty specialized, and I just dive super deep into those types of things.”
