Why we do what we do at Math Shelf.
Early math is critical to helping children reach their potential & we know that the work we do can make a real difference in their lives.
One of the Valhalla Foundation's four core goals is to dramatically improve kindergarten readiness in the U.S., so that all children—and particularly low-income children and children of color—get off to a strong start in learning and life. The Valhalla Foundation works towards achieving this goal by funding experimentally-proven, scalable technological innovations.
The Heising-Simons Foundation's grant making in education is to facilitate the creation and strengthening of early childhood systems necessary for children from low-income families and children of color to reach their full potential. A specific area where the Foundation works to enhance the education of young learners is through evidence-based mathematics education.
Our team is passionate about providing equitable early math opportunities.
We're on a mission to improve math education through scalable technology. John Schacter created Math Shelf to eliminate early math achievement gaps, and give every child access to high quality mathematics opportunities to maximize their potential.
Dr. John Schacter has worked in all levels of education as a teacher, principal, foundation executive, and university professor. He has appeared on National Public Radio, NBC News, Radio Disney, and his research has been cited in USA Today, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun and other national newspapers and magazines. John has founded two technology companies, published over 40 research articles, and is the author of three books.
John Schacter, Ph.D.
Pedro Castellanos
Kila Savoy
Arley O'Donnell
Preschool mathematics knowledge is a better predictor of elementary school academic success than literacy readiness skills. (Duncan et al., 2007)