Growth Over Answers

Welcome to the Conversation

If you’ve found your way here, chances are you believe what I do — that teaching is far more than delivering content. It is listening closely, responding intentionally, and constantly reflecting on how we can better support the students in front of us.

This space was created to think out loud about the real work happening inside classrooms. Not the perfectly scripted lessons, but the moments that challenge us, shape us, and ultimately make us better educators. Here, I share reflections from my middle school classroom, insights about instructional practices and interventions, and lessons learned through supporting student growth.

You won’t find perfection here — but you will find authenticity. Teaching is a continual process of learning, adjusting, and growing, and this blog exists to honor that process. My hope is that these posts spark your thinking, affirm the work you are doing, and perhaps even invite you to reflect on your own practice.

Whether you are a teacher, interventionist, instructional coach, or educational leader, you are welcome here. Because when educators learn from one another, students benefit.

Let’s keep growing — together.

Thinking Out Loud…

Many times, as educators, we have to be prepared to find resources that will become some of our favorites. There are many resources that I have been holding onto to share, and this will be the spot to share them… Do you want to see those resources/technology tools that I use in my middle school classroom?

Resources

Fuel your inspiration

Overcome the messy middle

Grow on your own terms

Meet Allison Hunter

Welcome — I’m glad you’re here.

This blog was created as both a personal and professional space to reflect on the realities of teaching middle school students. Every day in the classroom brings new questions, challenges, small victories, and moments that push my thinking as an educator. Rather than presenting teaching as polished perfection, this space is dedicated to honest reflection, continuous growth, and the lessons learned along the way.

My work is grounded in instructional alignment, meaningful interventions, and a deep commitment to student growth. I believe classrooms should be places where thinking is valued over simply getting the right answer, where students are encouraged to explain their reasoning, and where learning is seen as an evolving process for both students and teachers. Here, you will find reflections from real classroom experiences, insights drawn from student work, and strategies that have helped make learning more engaging and purposeful.

This blog is written for fellow middle school teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, and educational leaders — anyone navigating the complexity of supporting diverse learners while striving to improve their practice. Teaching is not meant to be done in isolation, and my hope is that this space feels less like a presentation and more like an ongoing professional conversation.

You can expect posts that wonder out loud, challenge assumptions, highlight student thinking, and explore what truly moves learning forward. Because at the heart of great teaching is a willingness to reflect, adjust, and grow.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

My Ideas

Here are my future ideas for my blogs.

Putting Thinking Back on the Students

Changing the Question from “Who’s Right?” to “Who Can Explain?”

When Students Start Learning from Each Other Instead of Me