Allison Hintz is an assistant professor of mathematics education at the University of Washington Bothell. As an elementary teacher, Allison participated in the Developing Mathematical Ideas professional development with University of Washington professor Elham Kazemi, coauthor of Intentional Talk: How to Structure and Lead Productive Mathematical Discussions. "As I sat with colleagues, drawing pictures and seeing concepts, a new passion was ignited," Allison says.
While continuing to teach, Allison earned her master's and doctorate degrees in curriculum and instruction/mathematics education from the University of Washington Seattle. Allison received a bachelor's degree in education from Washington State University.
"I am constantly amazed by children's thinking, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to learn from students about what it means to think flexibly about number," Allison says. "I love helping all children and adults realize their mathematical 'smartnesses, ' and grow their love and wonder for mathematics."
Allison's areas of specialty include mathematical discussions, early numeracy, and school-based professional development. She believes in the importance of being "shoulder to shoulder" with teachers in their classrooms as a foundation for effective professional development.
Intentional Talk guides teachers through the process of goal setting, planning for, and facilitating meaningful and dynamic mathematical discussions in their classrooms. The book focuses on teacher and student roles in two types of discussions: open strategy sharing and targeted sharing. Vignettes from primary and upper elementary classrooms, paired with author commentary, provide an in-depth exploration of five types of targeted sharing. Planning templates for each discussion type empower teachers to apply the discussion structure to their own mathematics classrooms.
Spending time with her two children is Allison's activity of choice. A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Allison also loves to cook and has a special fondness for "anything with lemons."
