Dr. Kwesi Yaro
has PhD in Curriculum studies specializing in Mathematics Education from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. He also has a Master of Arts (MA) in Mathematics Education from UBC and a B.Ed. (Mathematics focus) from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Prior to joining University of Alberta, Dr. Yaro taught both elementary and secondary mathematics methodology courses as well as supervised teacher candidates on teaching practice within UBC’s Teacher Education Program. Dr. Yaro’s experience is enriched by an extensive background experience as a mathematics teacher in the Ghanaian public education system, and community engagement through mathematics and science outreach activities with various schools and key stakeholder institutions in the Canadian context. Dr. Yaro is a certified professional teacher in Ghana as well as in British Columbia (BC) and Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Research
Dr. Yaro's work is inspired by principles of cultural sustainability, social justice, and inclusion and grounded in humanitarianism in practice, a core tenet of Afrocentric paradigm that is guided by the Ubuntu philosophy (I am because you are: You are because I am) and manifests in the deployment of the “utu” – that of human which is caring and uplifting of every other being. Dr. Yaro uses this lens to investigate and understand the role continental and diasporic African parents play in their children’s mathematics learning. Through this broad research program, Dr. Yaro hopes to contribute to knowledge and insights that can guide teachers and other educators towards a more culturally responsive mathematics curriculum and pedagogy. His most recent publication “Situated perspectives on creating mathematics tasks for peace and sustainability” in Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (CJSMTE), is an exemplar of Dr. Yaro's research interest.