He currently teaches courses on teaching elementary science, conceptual change, and mathematics and science education policy. He previously taught courses on readings and research in science education, educational technology, fundamentals of educational research, and issues in multicultural and urban education. Before joining the faculty at the University of Virginia, Tai taught high school physics in Illinois and Texas. He has served as a research associate and a teaching fellow in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. Tai was previously on the faculty of the College of Staten Island after earning his EdD from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. He received the Award for Education Research Leadership from the Council of Scientific Society Presidents in 2008.