John Mighton (born 1961) is a Canadian mathematician, educator, playwright, and author. He is best known for founding JUMP Math, an internationally adopted program that emphasizes mastery‑based mathematics instruction, and for writing the popular mathematics book The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure.
Early life and education
Mighton was born in 1961 in Toronto, Ontario. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Toronto and later completed a Ph.D. in mathematics at the same institution in 1996, focusing on functional analysis.
Academic and professional career
Following his doctoral work, Mighton held teaching positions at several Canadian universities, including the University of Toronto and McGill University, where he taught undergraduate mathematics courses. In the mid‑1990s he began developing a new approach to mathematics education that prioritized conceptual understanding and incremental skill development.
JUMP Math
In 1999, Mighton founded JUMP Math (JUMP stands for "Junior Under‑performing Mathematics Program"). The curriculum is designed for elementary and middle‑school students and incorporates a structured sequence of lessons, frequent assessment, and targeted teacher support. JUMP Math has been implemented in schools across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries. The program has received recognition from educational authorities and has been cited in research on effective mathematics instruction.
Literary work
Mighton is also a playwright. His works include The Little Mermaid (1990), The Number Devil (1997), and The Great Equation (2002). The Number Devil presents mathematical concepts through a series of imaginative dream sequences and has been translated into multiple languages, becoming a staple in popular mathematics literature.
Honours and recognition
- In 2012, Mighton was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to mathematics education.
- He has received the Order of Ontario (2020) and various teaching awards for his innovative instructional methods.
Publications
- The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure (1997)
- The Great Equation (2002)
- Academic articles on mathematics pedagogy in journals such as The Mathematics Teacher and Canadian Journal of Mathematics Education.
Impact
John Mighton's work has influenced mathematics curricula in numerous school systems, promoting a philosophy that all students can achieve high levels of mathematical proficiency when provided with appropriately scaffolded instruction. His dual career as a mathematician and playwright illustrates a commitment to making mathematics accessible and engaging to a broad audience.