Kari Kokka: Lessons in Social Justice, Math, and Movement Building

Learning to teach math teachers better with Dr. Kari Kokka, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as we discuss her advice and expertise as a mathematics teacher educator and her work with teachers to investigate social justice issues through the teaching of mathematics.

Links from the Episode
Kokka, K., Myers, M., & Gutiérrez, R. (2025). “Sometimes emotions are really beneficial and important”: Theorizing Emotional Tools of Creative Insubordination. Instructional Science, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-025-09747-2

Kokka, K., Gutiérrez, R., & Myers, M. (2025). A Love Letter to Women, Femme, and Nonbinary Critical Scholars of Color: Theorizing the Four I’s of Love in SiSTARhood. Qualitative Inquiry, 31(7), 671-683.

TODOS Mathematics For All https://www.todos-math.org/
TODOS 2026 Position Statement “Centering Healing, Political Clarity, and Resistance Amidst Threats to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
TODOS 2026 Position Statement Resource Guide

TODOS has two positions open for election in the spring of 2027: Director and Vice President. Nominations are open until November 15th, 2026. Nomination links and deadlines are in the Call for Nominations.

The purpose of the TODOS - MET funded grant is to provide funding for in-service professional development/learning to PK–12 schools to increase understanding and expertise for fostering support of multi-language development when teaching mathematics. Learn more about the grant and how to apply: https://www.nctm.org/Grants/
Applications due November 1 each year.

Submit to the TODOS Journal: Teaching Equity and Excellence in Mathematics

Join TODOS as a member or gift a membership!

Boaler, J., & Staples, M. (2008). Creating mathematical futures through an equitable teaching approach: The case of Railside School. Teachers College Record, 110(3), 608-645.

New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCORE) http://www.nycore.org/

Davis, A. Y. (2016). Freedom is a constant struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the foundations of a movement. Haymarket Books.

Mountains That Take Wing: Angela Davis & Yuri Kochiyama - A Conversation on Life, Struggles & Liberation https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1538867/

Tsuru for Solidarity https://tsuruforsolidarity.org/

Critical Educators for Social Justice: SIG 144 https://www.aera.net/SIG144/Critical-Educators-for-Social-Justice

Black Teacher Project https://www.blackteacherproject.org/

Teachers for Social Justice Chicago https://tsjchicago.org/

Gutstein, E. (2003). Teaching and learning mathematics for social justice in an urban, Latino school. Journal for Research in Mathematics education, 34(1), 37-73.

National Association for Multicultural Education https://nameorg.org/

www.mathsocialissues.com (social justice math resources, e.g., links to information about the Corwin books, Rethinking Mathematics, etc.)