September 7, 2022No Comments

Our district’s journey with STRIVE has been amazing! We began our work with STRIVE several years ago when we received a literacy grant to serve our most at-risk students in Title schools. Originally, Deb worked with us to provide guidance in selecting a quality benchmark assessing tool, train teachers and instructional coaches on the use of data to drive instruction, and the introduction of Focus Folders, WIN groups and PDSA cycles. For the teachers and coaches who worked with this initiative initially, Deb and her colleagues’ support was crucial. Our original focus centered largely around professional development for teachers, coaches, and admin, followed by slower implementation steps to begin the process of embedding the work in classrooms in our grant schools. Once we began the work, the growth we saw in our student achievement was outstanding!

Two years ago, the district made the commitment to add instructional coaches in all our buildings as we determined to replicate the work from our grant schools throughout the district. Once again, our work with STRIVE became the foundation for this initiative. We also expanded our focus from k-5 to include 6-12. STRIVE provided district-wide PD on Disciplinary Literacy for teachers in all core areas, as well as coaching and admin training to support the implementation of instructional framework and leadership teams in all our middle and high schools.

STRIVE will continue to be a district partner as we continue to evolve and embed research based best practices for instruction and focused intervention in all our k-12 schools.

Debbie Hunsaker, M.Ed.

Debbie Hunsaker, M.Ed., is the Owner and Lead Implementation Consultant of STRIVE Educational Consulting, a national organization dedicated to improving literacy and math achievement for all students. Debbie has devoted her career to elevating teaching and learning through evidence-based professional learning, leadership development, and sustainable systems of support for educators and schools.

At STRIVE, Debbie leads a team that partners with schools and districts across the country to meet them where they are and support them in building coherent systems for teaching and learning. STRIVE’s work focuses on helping educators plan, teach, and assess reading, writing, and math through aligned, research-driven professional development and implementation support. Core areas of expertise include building effective multi-tiered systems of support resulting in both growth and achievement in literacy and math. 

Prior to founding STRIVE, Debbie served as the Division Administrator for Educational Opportunity and Equity at the Montana Office of Public Instruction, where she led statewide literacy and equity initiatives to improve outcomes for all learners. She directed programs including Reading First, Early Reading First, Title I School Support, and the Montana Comprehensive Literacy Project.

Debbie is the author of multiple professional and children’s resources, including:

  • STRIVE’s Data System: A How-To on Planning, Teaching, and Assessing Reading Groups...soon to be Striving Readers

  • The STRIVE Coaching Handbook

  • Striving Writers

  • The Striving Mathematician System

  • L.I.T.E.R.A.C.Y. 

  • and the children’s book We Made Do

Debbie continues to collaborate with schools and state partners nationwide to transform research into action—helping educators build the knowledge, systems, and confidence to ensure every student and teacher thrives. Reach out for references and success stories through our partnerships with schools and districts.

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