Molly Snider
BIO
Molly Snider has been an educator for 39 years. She has recently retired yet continues to support education by serving on the California Council for the Social Studies Board of Directors representing Region 1 Representative. She also serves as President for the California Reading Association Local Lake-Mendocino Chapter. As a prior grades 1-6 teacher, she advocated for the diverse needs of all students bringing a passion for literacy and the humanities to learning. At the local school level, she worked with the implementation of initiatives and curriculum development and participated in a Teaching American History program which forged her belief that history-social science should be an integral and interdisciplinary component of learning. Additionally, through a 5-year role as a county office education specialist, she supported history-social science, English Learner education, gifted and talented education, differentiation and UDL, as well as instructional improvement. Her experience brings a broad understanding of curriculum and an appreciation for the wholeness and diversity of students. Her work reflects her belief that learning through inquiry with multiple means of engagement and conversation promotes cognition and transfer to real-world applications. She believes that the voices of the students are brought forward through academic conversations, written expression, creative inquiry and collaborative engagement, all leading to developing confidence for civic engagement. She is an active member and supporter of the California Council for the Social Studies, National Council for Social Studies, and California Reading Association. She has been an instructional presenter throughout California.
STATEMENT
The California Council for Social Studies brings us to a round table set for conversation. It begins with knowing that the world is a continuing conversation of history-social science, built by perspectives and stories that are mighty and small. To understand the enduring lessons, a deeper and broader responsibility demands more than a singular close read of a textbook passage. It is the learning about content through interdisciplinary and integrated literacy, inquiry and engagement with real world experiences and conversations that make a difference. The events of the last year have called us all to action in ways that have demanded sacrifice and innovative ways to communicate and learn. We have all been called to action to really listen to our own selves and others with empathy, compassion, and commitment to understand the new demands of global social justice, cooperation and collaboration. I continue to be honored to be a voice at this current table, bringing experience that understands the whole child and the importance of engagement through inquiry, reflection, and a call to action. The California Council for the Socials Studies is an action arena bringing us together so that we can build professional capital with shared efforts, resources and ideas. It is with the spirit of this collective work that I will continue to advocate for history-social science as an integral component of education at the local and state levels. I share with you the common belief that history-social science is important to the growth of our students. What we do today impacts the humanity of our young as they search for meaning in their world, find their voices, and expand their hearts in order to contribute to their increasingly interconnected world. Learning today is the power and wisdom for tomorrow. Together, through our shared California Council for Social Studies community we can share a round table that supports learning. It would be my pleasure to work with you as the Region 1 Area Director to guide and facilitate the continued work of history-social science as a daily part of instruction and civic life.