Arts & Science alum John Mighton has spent years proving all kids can learn math. He founded the charity JUMP Math (Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigies) with that vision in mind, and was recently recognized with the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award from the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, commonly known for its prestigious Fields Medal, handed out every four years to outstanding mathematicians under the age of 40.
One constant in Mighton’s career has been his enthusiasm for education, on and off screen — he even had a cameo as Matt Damon’s math tutor in Good Will Hunting.
“The director and writers were wonderful to work with,” Mighton says. “They often encouraged actors to improvise and be creative. They even let my character say a few lines that expressed the philosophy of JUMP Math.”
Since he began teaching, Mighton has always believed there is a better way, particularly when it comes to pervasive math anxiety in kids.
“The fact so many people fall through the cracks — and so many people get convinced they can't do math — is tragic,” says Mighton, who once struggled with his undergrad calculus class.
I was really amazed at how a lecture by a great professor could be like an intellectual symphony, especially in the Department of English at Victoria College. It was the first time I’d been exposed to that level of thought in a lecture. So I was really thrilled to be at the University of Toronto.
He discovered a newfound appreciation for math while tutoring kids in the subject. While he earned his bachelor’s in philosophy at Victoria College in 1978, Mighton went on to earn a master’s and doctorate in mathematics in 1994 and 2000 respectively, and an honorary Doctor of Sacred letters also from Victoria College in 2006. Mighton was also awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) fellowship for postdoctoral research in knot and graph theory.
“I was really amazed at how a lecture by a great professor could be like an intellectual symphony, especially in the Department of English at Victoria College,” he says. “It was the first time I’d been exposed to that level of thought in a lecture. So I was really thrilled to be at the University of Toronto.”
After graduating, he started JUMP Math to address the social and academic inequity stemming from the belief that some kids just aren’t suited to the subject. He says math may actually be the most accessible subject — one anyone can learn with the right instruction — and a strong predictor of overall success in school.
“I would say there's almost no genetic components of success in math. It's almost all nurture.”
He proudly remembers a girl he tutored who was testing at a first-grade level in math despite being in the sixth grade. Over the next three years, they were able to make up nine grade levels and get her caught up with the rest of her peers. And even more amazing? Her rapid progress is not an outlier, according to Mighton.
“We could raise the vast majority of people to the place where they could actually study math at university,” he says.
Why can’t kids have multiple careers or choose to do several things? Why can't they have multiple interests and passions?
JUMP Math’s methodology breaks down concepts into manageable chunks and doesn’t treat novice learners like experts. The program uses significant “scaffolding” to get kids caught up with peers and eliminate academic hierarchies that create inequities in the classroom. Mighton stresses the importance of keeping all students engaged through challenges, in the sweet spot of productive struggle.
Part of achieving that potential is taking a more multi-disciplinary approach to education. Mighton himself branched out into philosophy, playwriting and mathematics, always keeping the three interests kindled throughout his career.
“People think it's odd that I'm a playwright and a mathematician, as if you can only use part of your brain,” Mighton says.
Mighton, whose plays often dip into the realm of science, is a firm believer kids should tackle both science and the arts, not necessarily specializing in one or the other.
“Why can’t kids have multiple careers or choose to do several things?” he says. “Why can't they have multiple interests and passions?”
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, JUMP Math has received funding from the Government of Ontario to develop financial literacy support resources and is also working with schools and teachers across Alberta to assist teachers with the new math curriculum. The charity is also engaging with nine Toronto schools on a research pilot tutoring program to help kids struggling with learning loss due to the pandemic.