Dr. John Mighton
Dr. John Mighton is an award-winning mathematician, playwright and best-selling author. As the founder of JUMP Math, he is globally recognized for his ground-breaking work in advancing equity in math education to reveal the math prodigy within every child.
For his achievements, he has been named a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year, an Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year for Canada, an Ashoka Fellow, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. John, a Fellow of the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, also taught mathematics at U of T. However, his success in math did not come easily.
John's Work
Speaker
An engaging speaker, John has delivered talks worldwide on the power of fostering mathematical potential in every child.
Oscar-winning Film
Before he helped revolutionize math education, John Mighton had a surprising brush with Hollywood. Discover how his journey crossed paths with the Oscar-winning film, Good Will Hunting.
Playwright
John is an acclaimed, national best-selling author, having written books and thought-provoking articles on math education and learning. He is also an award-winning playwright.
Coursera Course
Making Math Click: Understand Math Without Fear. Join Dr. John Mighton and Dr. Barbara Oakley, Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Oakland University, in this transformative course. Designed to break down math anxiety.
Media
As a passionate researcher, John explores innovative teaching methods and cognitive science to improve math education outcomes.
Awards
Recognized for his contributions to education, John has received many awards, including the Order of Canada and multiple math and literary accolades.
"John Mighton may well become the nation’s math conscience. He not only knows that all children can master genuine mathematics but has repeatedly proved so with his brilliant, no-nonsense … program."
LATEST BOOKS
A National Best-Selling Author
A national best-selling author, John Mighton has written three books on math education. His first, The Myth of Ability: Nurturing Mathematical Talent in Every Child describes his approach and successes with the math program he developed. His latest, All Things Being Equal: Why Math is the Key to a Better World expands on the themes in his first two books and brings sharp focus to why math knowledge is the key to solving so many of society’s challenges.
The Math of Learning
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. An invisible problem in our society is that we underestimate ourselves. John Mighton, the founder of JUMP Math, believes that anyone can learn anything, especially mathematics. We need to give our teachers the right methods, backed by rigorous evidence, to educate our children.
Dr. Mighton in the Media
JUMP Math Founder, Award-Winning Mathematician, Social Entrepreneur, lifetime Ashoka Fellow and Officer of the Order of Canada, John has been published and featured in major North American media publications.
AWARD-WINNING SCREEN PLAY
Possible Worlds – A Journey Through Reality and Imagination
As both a playwright and mathematician, John Mighton brought deep ideas to life through storytelling. Possible Worlds blends science, philosophy, and suspense in a gripping exploration of identity and parallel realities—later adapted into a feature film starring Tilda Swinton and featured at the Venice Film Festival.
Coming Soon on Coursera
Making Math Click: Understand Math Without Fear.
Join Dr. John Mighton and Dr. Barbara Oakley, Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Oakland University, in this transformative course. Designed to break down math anxiety.
Celebrated by Canada’s Highest Literary Honour
Twice recognized with Canada’s highest literary honour for drama, John Mighton received the Governor General’s Award for Half Life (2005), a moving meditation on aging and memory, and for Possible Worlds (1992), a philosophical thriller that explores identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality.
"When kids can do math, they can do anything."
John believes they can. That’s why he founded JUMP Math—a program used around the world to unlock confidence and achievement in learners of all backgrounds.
Recent Articles
- Mathematics Education
- Mathematical Theory
- Educational Philosophy and Advocacy
- In The News
An interview with Dr. John Mighton with an exploration into JUMP Math's approach.
An interview with Dr. John Mighton with an exploration into JUMP Math's approach.
