Episode 1: S4E1.5 Introducing Theodore Chao and Shari Kaku

TODOS Podcast

Welcome to Season 4 of the TODOS: Mathematics for All Podcast, which explore how invisibility and hypervisibility impact the mathematics education of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Meet the new hosts of the TODOS Podcasts, Theodore Chao and Shari Kaku, both Asian American mathematics educators, who engage with guests in deep, narrative-driven conversations that challenge conventional narratives and stereotypes, like the model minority myth. These discussions aim to uncover racial and cultural dynamics, drawing connections between Asian American and Latinx/e students’ experiences, shared struggles, and pathways to self-determination.

Mathematics education is often framed in ways that either render Asian American students hypervisible through stereotypes (e.g., "model minority") or invisible by ignoring the struggles they face in the classroom. Additionally, the rise in Anti-Asian Violence and Anti-Asian Hate over the past few years reflects the ways that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are continually positioned as forever foreigners or threats to this country. This season exposes and challenges these harmful narratives, helping educators and communities reflect on their approaches to equity in mathematics education in ways that align with TODOS' broader mission to foster inclusive practices for marginalized students.
In addition to the primary theme of invisibility and hypervisibility, the podcast will occasionally produce special episodes that highlight the work happening within the TODOS community, reinforcing the connection between this podcast and TODOS' broader mission of educational equity for all students.
Thanks to Dr. Maria Zavala, founder and previous hosts of the TODOS: Mathematics for ALL podcast. And thanks to Vector Hold for the amazing synthwave music.