Justine Sakurai

Justine has over two decades of experience as a teacher of mathematics and numeracy in Victorian secondary schools. She is currently a periodic lecturer in initial teacher education at the University of Melbourne and teaches for the SMSI program at Deakin University. She conducts teacher professional learning programs in numeracy and mathematics. Justine is currently editor of the mathematics teacher journal Vinculum for the Maths Association of Victoria.

Justine has worked with state curriculum and examination boards to investigate numeracy theory and practices. In a leadership capacity, she has contributed to curriculum development and writing, benchmarking and assessment. Justine raises understanding and awareness through teacher practice journals and publications.

Justine’s research seeks to examine theories of engagement and values with numeracy to explore the connections for upper-secondary low-performing mathematics students. Using a mixed methods approach the research aims to contribute to lifting numeracy levels in secondary students.
Her passion is to see learning opportunities in maths in the acts of everyday life, and for teachers to draw pedagogical inspiration from authentic real-world contexts.

Publications (Non-peer-reviewed)

• Sakurai, J. (2023) Editorial. Vinculum, 1(23) 2.
• Sakurai, J. (2023) Editorial. Vinculum, 2(23) 2.
• Sakurai, J. (2022) Editorial. Vinculum, 3(22) 2.
• Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (Sakurai, Tout, Sawatzki & Delany) (2023) VCE Foundation Maths: Advice for teachers. https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/foundationmathematics/advice-for-teachers/Pages/Index.aspx
• Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (2023) VCE Vocational Major Numeracy: Advice for teachers. https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/VCEVMNumeracy/Pages/Index.aspx
• Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (2023) Vocational Pathways Certificate Numeracy: Advice for teachers. https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/VPC/VPCCurriculumDesigns/VPCNumeracy/Pages/Index.aspx
• Sakurai, J. (2022) Editorial. Vinculum, 4(22) 2.
• Sakurai J. & Tout, D. (2021) Living in a numerate world. Vinculum 4(21). 14-15
• Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (Sakurai & Tout) (2021) Pathways Certificate – Numeracy. https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/victorianseniorsecondarycertificatereform/Pages/Index.aspx#curriculum
• Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (Tout & Sakurai) (2021) VCE Foundation mathematics Units 1-4. https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/foundationmathematics/Pages/Index.aspx.
• Sakurai, J., Sawatzki, C. & Tout, D. (2021, October 7) Supporting critical numeracy and maths skills in teaching and learning. ACER Teacher Magazine.
• Sakurai, J. (2021, September 30) Benchmarking Report: Vocational Major Numeracy Specialisation- 2021. Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
• Tout D., Sakurai, J. & Sawatzki, C. (2021, September 14) Supporting critical numeracy and maths skills in teaching and learning. ACER Teacher Magazine. https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/supporting-critical-numeracy-and-maths-skills-in-teaching-and-learning
• Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (Sakurai & Tout) (2021) VCE Vocational Major- Numeracy Specialisation curriculum https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/victorianseniorsecondarycertificatereform/Pages/Index.aspx#curriculum
• Sakurai, J. (2020) Budgeting, odds, and probability. Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. https://responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/documents/900/VRGF-BAOTG_NUM-Budeting-Odds-Probability.pdf
• Sakurai, J. (2017) Building financial literacy. The Common Denominator, 3(17) 18-19.
• Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (2016) Numeracy Skills Unit 1. https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vcal/vcal-curriculum/Pages/NumeracySkillsUnit1.aspx