Theodore Chao

Theodore Chao

Theodore Chao is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University.123456 His research focuses on engaging all students and teachers, regardless of social identity, to see themselves as mathematical humans, particularly through technology.235

Key Areas of Expertise

• Mathematics Education
• Teacher Education
• Equity and Social Justice
• Education Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education

Education

• Ph.D. in Mathematics Education, The University of Texas at Austin (2012)
• M.S. in Education, St. John's University (2004)
• B.S. in Computer Science Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2000)
• B.A. in Film & Media Studies, Johns Hopkins University (2000)

Research and Scholarship

Dr. Chao uses digital storytelling and photovoice to help mathematics teachers and students of color create narratives connecting their mathematics identities with their community and family identities.235 He is currently the Principal Investigator on an NSF CAREER research project exploring how children in urban communities use Digital Mathematics Storytelling to share mathematical knowledge from their families and neighborhoods.35

Dr. Chao has published in journals such as Mathematics Teacher Educator, Race, Ethnicity, and Education, and Investigations in Mathematics Learning.34 He is an associate editor for Theory Into Practice (TIP), an editorial panel member of Mathematics Teacher Educator (MTE), and a steering committee member of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA).56

Teaching and Service

Dr. Chao teaches courses including Elementary Mathematics Methods, A Critical History of STEM Education, and Mobile App Development in STEM Education.56 He is an organizer for the Free Minds, Free People (FMFP) conference.6

His scholarship, teaching and service are guided by a commitment to radical love, the belief that freedom comes through loving each other and ourselves.3 Dr. Chao sees competition in mathematics learning as problematic, instead advocating for collaborative mathematical thinking and a humanizing, loving vision of mathematics education.3