Sarah Mayes-Tang

Department of Mathematics, University of Toronto

Brief Biography

As a child growing up in Chatham, Ontario, some of my favourite activities were reading, dancing, piano, beadwork, and baking. When I entered Queen's University as an undergraduate, I was not sure what I wanted to major in. At the end of my first year, I realized that I couldn't imagine not learning more math, so I decided to pursue a math major. My desire to continue learning, engage in math research, and teach grew during my time at Queen's and led me to apply to graduate math programs.

I earned my M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Michigan where I studied commutative algebra and algebraic geometry under the supervision of Karen Smith. As a graduate student I taught in Michigan's calculus program and the Center for Inquiry-Based Learning. I also had many opportunities to learn more about math education, through courses in the School of Education and programs offered by the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning. Each of these opportunities deepened my desire to pursue a career focused on undergraduate math education.

From 2013 to 2017, I taught at Quest University Canada, a school dedicated to innovation and experimentation in undergraduate education. I had the opportunity to design several courses from the ground up and to work closely with scholars and teachers from other disciplines. My work at Quest strengthened my interest in developing institutional policies, designing courses for non-math majors, and increasing the represenation of women and minorities in mathematics.

In 2017 I joined the faculty of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto. My first position there was as coordinator of the largest calculus sequence at the University, where I transformed the courses, integrating active learning, a focus on communication, substantive applications to science, and other research-informed practices. Outside of math, I enjoy baking, piano, traveling, reading, and spending time with my family. My husband is a high school math teacher.

My CV is here.