Jesus Castañeda Rivera

Jesus Castañeda Rivera is a dedicated and innovative educator whose career spans nearly two decades of transformative teaching and community engagement. Born with a passion for mathematics and a commitment to education, Castañeda began his journey as a teacher in secondary schools, later expanding to adult literacy programs and higher education institutions. Over the years, he has made a profound impact both in the classroom and across Mexico’s marginalized and underserved communities. 

 His fascination with logic and mathematics began in 2004 when he attended the International Meeting on Logic Didactics. This sparked a lifelong dedication to promoting logic and mathematics education. In 2005, he became an advisor for the National Logic Olympiad, where his efforts led to remarkable success: one of his students earned a gold medal with a perfect score—a record held for 14 years. Under his leadership, students from the State of Michoacán earned multiple medals, making the region a national leader in logic competitions. Over a decade, Jesus mentored more than 4,400 students for the Olympiad, fostering a generation of young minds with a love for critical thinking and problem-solving. 

In 2016, Jesus co-founded the Mathematics Research and Teaching Center, which has since organized the John Von Neumann Mathematics Competition for primary, secondary, and high school students. This initiative has reached over 4,000 participants, encouraging young learners to explore the beauty and potential of mathematics. Jesus’s innovative teaching methods prioritize experiential learning, where students engage in problem formulation, action, and validation, cultivating both cognitive and personal growth. 

Teaching in regions like Michoacán and the Huasteca area of Hidalgo, Jesus has faced significant challenges, including violence, lack of infrastructure, and limited educational resources. Despite these obstacles, he has tirelessly worked to bring education to hard-to-reach areas. Collaborating with institutions such as the Centre for Research and Teaching of Mathematics (CIEM), he has organized over 200 academic events, conferences, and free courses for teachers and students in marginalized regions across Mexico. 

In Hidalgo, Jesus has been instrumental in addressing the unique challenges faced by students, including long commutes to school and limited opportunities for higher education. By fostering resilience and a love for learning, he has empowered his students to overcome these barriers and pursue academic and personal success. 

Jesus’s contributions beyond teaching include managing academic events that have seen thousands participate in competitions and workshops, inspiring continued interest in mathematics and science. His dedication to teacher training has impacted over 6,000 educators, enhancing the quality of education across Mexico. 

An advocate for global citizenship, he leverages technology to connect students and educators worldwide, via international conferences and fostering cross-cultural collaboration, his work reaching audiences in El Salvador, Peru, Colombia, Belgium, and beyond, demonstrating his belief in a world without borders. 

He has enriched the teaching profession, his YouTube channel, featuring over 900 educational videos, garnering more than 55,000 views, and his academic writings are widely read and cited. His commitment to lifelong learning inspires his peers and students alike to pursue knowledge and innovation. 

Jesus Castañeda Rivera’s unwavering dedication to education, community empowerment, and the advancement of mathematics makes him a true trailblazer in the teaching profession. His story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound impact one teacher can have on many lives.