Story & Lesson Highlights with Sherri Adler of Scottsdale

Sherri Adler shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Sherri, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I love how my mornings unfold: As soon as the sunrises, Charlie (my Bernedoodle) wakes me up so that I can take him and Norman (my Great Dane…who at times is just a “Good Dane”) to the park. Charlie runs ahead, to chase a ball and Norman follows along to find friends to chase around play with.

When we return, I drink a huge iced coffee & settle into my favorite spot and read the newspaper. I always finish with the
sudoku puzzle.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m incredibly lucky to have a wonderful husband, Steven — we’ve been married for over 30 years and he’s truly my rock. We have two amazing sons and a daughter in law: my daughter in law is an attorney, one son is a talented chef, and the other is a dedicated Phoenix firefighter. And perhaps the most exciting news of all — by the time you read this, I’ll officially be a first-time grandmother! I couldn’t be more thrilled.

I absolutely love traveling the globe for work — it brings together my passion for teaching and my curiosity about the world.

Professionally, I began teaching Singapore Math® in 2001 and have had the privilege of working in public, private, and charter schools. I hold a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, and since 2007, I’ve trained educators and schools throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America as they’ve implemented the Singapore Math® curriculum. It’s been an honor to work with thousands of teachers, helping them discover the same love for mathematics that’s inspired me throughout my career.

I’ve co-authored several books on the Singapore Math approach, including two intervention programs. I was also part of the team that developed the Pre-K and Kindergarten lessons for EngageNY (Eureka/Great Minds), a Common Core-aligned curriculum.

Since I began presenting on the Singapore approach, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to educators in packed lecture halls around the country. Today, I continue to share this work through presentations with The Institute of Educational Development (IED), The Bureau of Education and Research (BER), and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Through my international work travels, I’ve come to see just how deeply connected we all are as human beings. No matter where I go, I find that at our core, we all share the same fundamental needs and desires. We all want to be loved and to feel a sense of belonging. We all hope for good health — for ourselves and for the people we care about. We need food and shelter, the basic things that give us security and dignity. And beyond that, I see a universal desire to learn and grow, to provide opportunities for our children and to better ourselves.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a time when I almost gave up — a moment that really tested me. It happened when my old business partner bought me out. At that point, I felt defeated and unsure of what to do next. I had put so much of myself into that business, and watching it slip away felt like losing a piece of my identity.

For a while, I seriously considered walking away from it all. I questioned whether I had the energy or the passion to start over again. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t ready to give up on my dreams. I decided to persevere, to take that painful experience and turn it into an opportunity for growth.

Looking back now, I’m so grateful I didn’t give up. That moment taught me resilience and reminded me why I started in the first place. It pushed me to believe in myself even more and to keep moving forward, no matter how hard things got. It was one of the best decisions I made.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My close friends would tell you that I’m someone who deeply values my family and friends — they’re truly at the center of my world. They’d also say that my religion is important to me; I’m constantly standing up for Israel and filling them in on what is happening in the middle east. Not to leave out my friends would also say that I love a great sale and definitely need at least one game of mahjong a week, if not two.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I truly love what I do. Teaching brings me so much joy, whether it is with children or adults — there’s nothing quite like seeing that spark in someone’s eyes when they finally understand something or feel inspired to keep learning. I also absolutely love traveling; it opens my mind, keeps me curious, and helps me connect with people from all walks of life. I get to try new foods, see new places, and appreciate my own bed when I get home.

Math and problem-solving have always excited me. There’s a special satisfaction in tackling a tough problem. Above all, I love working with people. I find so much meaning in building relationships, helping others grow, and learning from them in return.

I believe that passion is what keeps me going, and I’ve promised myself that the day I stop loving it is the day I’ll stop doing it. Until then, I’ll keep pouring my heart into everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.singaporemathsupport.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SingaporeMathSupport

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