John Mighton
Ashoka Fellow since 2003   |   Canada

John Mighton

JUMP (Junior Undiscovered Mathematical Prodigies)
John Mighton invented a method of teaching mathematics that inspires measurable higher performance across the board, along with major improvements in students’ self-esteem and attitude towards…
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Featured in Who Cares? documentary (2013)

This description of John Mighton's work was prepared when John Mighton was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2003.

Introduction

John Mighton invented a method of teaching mathematics that inspires measurable higher performance across the board, along with major improvements in students’ self-esteem and attitude towards learning. His organization, Junior Undiscovered Mathematical Prodigies (JUMP) spreads this method amongRead more

The New Idea

John is the architect and leading advocate of a methodology that breaks a vicious cycle plaguing thousands of mathematics students throughout North America: low student self-esteem and poor teaching feed low measured performance at school, which leads to even lower self-esteem and expectations forRead more

The Problem

In a typical North American elementary class, students are separated and labeled as either weak or strong students, especially in mathematics. As these students progress through school, gaps in motivation, ability, and knowledge grow between those who are consistently rewarded for their mathRead more

The Strategy

John founded Junior Undiscovered Mathematical Prodigies (JUMP) in 1999 to close these gaps. His past success in tutoring remedial students encouraged him to develop a system that would change the way students and teachers perceived individual ability. When he first began tutoring, John wasRead more

The Person

When John was only 11 years old, he came across two books that would radically change how he thought about mathematics. In one, two children construct a Möbius strip which enables them by some fantastic process to travel in time. The other book spoke of mathematically gifted children in pages fullRead more

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