TODOS Podcast

Dr. Niral Shah joins the TODOS Podcast to explore the complexities of Asian American identity in mathematics education. Reflecting on his experiences as a South Asian student and teacher, Shah unpacks how racialized narratives like the model minority myth both hypervisibilize and dehumanize Asian learners. He introduces the metaphor of a “bubble level” to describe how racial discourse positions Asian and Black students at opposite ends of a spectrum, with whiteness centered as the norm.

The conversation delves into Shah’s research on race and STEM, including his Harvard Educational Review article “Asians Are Good at Math” Is Not a Compliment, and is informed by thinkers such as Vijay Prashad, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Zeus Leonardo. Shah also shares a parenting story about his son calling out white supremacy on the playground, offering a vision of anti-racism grounded in nuance and empathy.

This episode addresses classroom practice, intra-Asian diversity, anti-Blackness, and the importance of moving beyond binaries to humanize all students.

Episode transcript is here. Reflection transcript is here. 

In this powerful episode, Dr. Richard Velasco shares his journey from Guam to the U.S. mainland and back—through teaching, research, and a deep sense of purpose. As a Filipino Guamanian mathematics educator, Richard reflects on growing up in a U.S. territory, navigating racialized spaces in predominantly white communities, and now leading a groundbreaking data science project that centers indigenous values and local knowledge in Guam and Saipan. We talk about military occupation, decolonizing data, the meaning of Inafa’maolek, and what it truly means to give back.

Transcripts are available here. 

What does it mean to build authentic, sustaining communities as a math educator—and why is it so hard to find those spaces? In this episode, we talk with Bobson Wong, a high school math teacher, local and national educational leader, and author of The Math Teacher’s Toolbox, about his ongoing journey through teaching, identity, and advocacy.

Bobson reflects on how community has played a central role in his growth as an educator—from finding support through Math for America to pushing for systemic change at the state level in New York. He introduces a powerful three-part vision of community: spaces for emotional support, spaces for professional development, and spaces for enacting educational policy. We also dig into the isolation many teachers face, the invisibility of Asian American educators, and the importance of being able to show up fully—without having to explain yourself.

Along the way, Bobson shares how ideas about language, culture, and yes, bean soup, inform his thinking about what it means to teach, to lead, and to stay connected. If you’ve ever craved a deeper sense of belonging in your work, this episode is for you.

Transcripts are available here.

In this episode, we sit down with renowned mathematician Francis Su to explore the intersections of Asian American identity, mathematics, and visibility. As the first non-white president of the Mathematical Association of America and author of Mathematics for Human Flourishing, Francis shares his personal journey—from grappling with stereotypes to discovering the joy of mathematics through inquiry and community.

We also discuss the model minority myth, the power of belonging in math spaces, and why math should be about human connection, not just achievement. Plus, we chat about about red bean buns, childhood nostalgia, and food memories!

To learn more about Francis's work and to get a copy of his book (in multiple languages), go here: https://www.francissu.com/

Transcripts for this podcast can be found here. 

What happens when three Asian American women math educators come together to reflect on their journeys, activism, and the role of mathematics in justice? In this powerful episode, Dr. Kari Kokka—math educator, social justice advocate, and former high school teacher—joins hosts Shari Kaku and Michelle Lo for an inspiring conversation about searching for our own stories, math identity, and community organizing.

From her experiences growing up in diverse San Jose, to teaching in New York, to her deep commitment to solidarity and reparations work, Dr. Kokka shares how mathematics can be a tool for justice. Join us for a discussion covers everything from Asian American identity in math education to the importance of centering students’ voices and lived experiences in the classroom.

And to learn more about the many resources on this episode, check out these links:

Red Cards for knowing our immigrant rights:
https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas

SEARAC: https://searac.org/

Tsuru for Solidarity: https://tsuruforsolidarity.org/

Social Justice Math Resources: www.mathsocialissues.com

A Love Letter to Women, Femme, and Nonbinary Critical Scholars of Color: Theorizing the Four I’s of Love in SiSTARhood by Kari Kokka, Rochelle Gutiérrez, and Marrielle Myers (the article, so email Dr. Kokka if you would like a copy)

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10778004241269909?download=true&journalCode=qixa)  

Critical Math Drop Podcast: www.criticalmathdrop.com

David Masunaga, geometry education expert, MC Escher enthusiast, and origami aficionado, shared his passion and creativity for student thinking in the classroom with Teddy and Shari. In this episode, David delves into his journey as an Asian American educator in Hawaiʻi, reflecting on the cultural forces that shape who gets to teach math, the untold stories of his own Asian American teachers, and the beauty of mathematics as a shared experience.

We ask why haven’t more people heard of David Masunaga? And what can we learn from his deep, thoughtful approach to math education? And, please click on these links to learn more about the work that David does!

The 17-sided symmetrical pattern tie that David references can be seen here and here.
And, here's David making making one modular origami box, putting the boxes together, and then fusing a large group of boxes together at the Museum of Math.
Finally, here's a video of David using a Basho haiku to promote his NCTM session this spring.

Transcripts for this episode are here. 

We change things up this episode. Due to the devastating wild fires in Southern California, we take some time to connect with two L.A.-based Asian American Mathematics Teachers. We start our conversation with Eugene Hung, a high school math teacher and advocate for women's rights. Then, we connect with Janet Lee Ortiz, LAUSD’s Teacher of the Year and a middle school math and science educator. Both educators share their deeply personal journeys navigating teaching in Southern California amidst recent wildfires and reflect on how their Asian American identities shape their approaches to math education.

Eugene discusses breaking down stereotypes, fostering inclusivity, and emphasizing the historical and cultural contributions to mathematics. Janet opens up about overcoming personal challenges, connecting math to social justice, and building meaningful relationships with students through authentic storytelling and creativity. Together, they discuss their passion for making math human, relevant, and engaging. And finally, they share about their love of food, culture, and community.

Transcripts of this episode are available here. 

In this episode, Dr. Paulo Tan shares his powerful journey as a critical special education math educator navigating Asian American identity, assimilation, and advocacy for disability justice. Together with hosts Theodore Chao and Shari Kaku, Paulo reflects on the systemic inequities of mathematics education, the isolation of marginalized students, and the need for a revolutionary shift toward truly inclusive and humanizing classrooms. From personal stories of his immigrant experiences to reimagining "math of all students," this episode challenges listeners to rethink ableism, stereotypes, and what it means to agitate for justice in math education.

Transcript for the main session is here.

Transcript for the reflection is here. 

The TODOS Podcast is back! Join us for a fresh new season with new hosts, Theodore Chao and Shari Kaku, as we dive into issues of equity in mathematics education through the lens of Asian American identity. In Episode 1, we chat with Naehee Kwun about her work as a social justice-oriented mathematics educator and one of the founders of the Teaching for Justice conference. Naehee also shares about her identity as a first-generation Korean American mathematics educator and the way she used Resistance Capital in her own mathematics journey. Learn more about Naehee's work at PoweredByMathematics.org.

In Episode 2, high school math teacher and TODOS Member Services Director, Michelle Lo shares her journey as a second-generation Taiwanese American navigating identity and teaching. Michelle reflects on the impact of her upbringing, the pressures of the model minority myth, and her commitment to resisting traditional norms in the classroom. She discusses fostering a student-centered environment, building solidarity, and embracing the power of community spaces like TODOS and the miseducAsian Twitter collective.

This thoughtful conversation explores how Michelle’s experiences as a student and teacher shape her work to deconstruct stereotypes and advocate for justice in education.