Dr. Limin Jao
Title:
Associate Professor | Interim Department Chair
Group:
Interim Department Chair
Department:
Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE)
Professional activities:
- Vice-president of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group
- Editorial Board member of the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
- Research Advisory Board of the Chandaria Research Centre at Branksome Hall
Area(s):
STEM Education
Teacher Education, Pedagogy & Leadership
Areas of expertise:
- Cross-curricular / interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning
- Mathematics education
- Pedagogy
- Reform-based teaching approaches (e.g., student-centred, inquiry-based, project-based teaching and learning)
- STE(A)M education
- Student engagement
- Teacher education and professional development (pre-service and in-service)
Biography:
Limin Jao (she/her) is the Interim Chair and an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE). Limin’s research focuses on issues of exemplary teaching practice and teacher education (pre-service and in-service), particularly in mathematics and STE(A)M education contexts. Her research in exemplary teaching practices seeks to better understand how to foster positive experiences for students. Current foci include interdisciplinary and project-based approaches to teaching and learning, and student-directed inquiry. Limin’s research in teacher education centers her participants’ lives experiences in their varied contexts, and their journeys as educators. Limin’s research directly informs her own practice, teaching mathematics education courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Limin strives to develop opportunities for rich student learning by creating a safe and inclusive classroom, and uses pedagogy to encourage student engagement. She often focuses on methods that allow her students to take ownership of their learning. A former secondary school mathematics and science teacher, Limin was also a museum educator for many years. Limin is the vice-president of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group, an Editorial Board member of the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, and is on the Research Advisory Board of the Chandaria Research Centre at Branksome Hall. She is also a figure skating judge, representing Canada at national and international events.
Degree(s):
- Ph.D., Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada
- M.A., Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada
- B.Ed., Secondary Biology and Mathematics Education, Queen's University, Canada
- B.Sc.H., Biology and Mathematics, Queen's University, Canada
Awards, honours, and fellowships:
- 2023, Award for Distinguished Teaching, Faculty of Education, McGill University
Selected publications:
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals:
- Jao, L., & Sahmbi, G. (2023). Sticking together in a world full of sharks: Pre-service teachers’ perspectives of mathematics content courses. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2023.2171923
- Jao, L., Stewart, A., & Rao, N. (2021). Lived experiences: Secondary mathematics pre-service teachers’ perspectives about multiple components of their teacher education program. Mathematics Teacher Education and Development, 23(2), 42-58.
- Wiseman, D., Lunney Borden, L., Beatty, R., Jao, L., & Carter, E. (2020). Whole-some artifacts: (STEM) Teaching and learning emerging from and contributing to community. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, 20(2), 264-280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42330-020-00079-6
- Jao, L. (2017). Shifting pre-service teachers' beliefs about mathematics teaching: The contextual situation of a mathematics methods course. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 15(5), 895-914. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-016-9719-9
Books:
- Radakovic, N., & Jao, L. (Eds.). (2020). Borders in mathematics pre-service teacher education. Springer.
- Jao, L., & Radakovic, N. (Eds.). (2018). Transdisciplinarity in mathematics education: Blurring disciplinary boundaries. Springer.
Graduate supervision:
Welcomes inquiries from all students (undergraduate and graduate). Supervises and acts as a committee member for graduate students whose research interests overlaps with the areas of expertise and/or current projects. Potential graduate students are invited to get in touch.
