Takuya Umeki (he/him) is a mathematics educator, translator, author, and educational consultant based in Vancouver, Canada. With a passion for transforming teaching and learning, he works with educators across Canada and Japan to reimagine mathematics classrooms as spaces where all students can experience the joy of thinking.

Holding a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Simon Fraser University under the supervision of Dr. Peter Liljedahl, Takuya’s research focused on analyzing students’ thinking through their questioning in collaborative group work. With teaching experience spanning Grades 8 through 12, he specializes in fostering problem-solving skills, implementing standards-based assessment practices, and supporting teacher candidates as they develop their professional identities.

Takuya is the co-author of Classrooms Without Answers (Kotae no Nai Kyōshitsu), published in February 2024 by Shinhyoron Publishing Inc., which introduces Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) to the Japanese education system through examples ranging from elementary to post-secondary and teacher workshops. He is also the lead translator of Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, forthcoming in Japanese in November 2025. Through these contributions, he continues to bridge Canadian and Japanese educational communities, advancing innovative approaches to teaching and assessment.

In addition to his writing and translation work, Takuya has directly supported hundreds of teachers in implementing BTC through modeling, coaching, and collaborative planning. He has facilitated numerous workshops in both Japan and Canada, online and in person, guiding educators in transforming their classroom practices. His ongoing mission is to empower teachers, rejuvenate their passion for teaching, and help students access and enjoy the beauty of mathematical thinking.