Molly Snider

BIO

Molly Snider, an education specialist for Mendocino County Office of Education has been an educator for 37 years.  Most of her experience has been as a classroom teacher for grades 1-6, with a majority in upper elementary.  She has been a GATE coordinator and supported new teacher education through coaching, supervision, facilitation and instruction.  At the local school level, she has worked with the implementation of initiatives and curriculum development.  Participation in a four-year Teaching American History program forged her belief that history-social science should be an integral and interdisciplinary component of learning.  Through her role as a county office education specialist, she supports history-social science, ELA, gifted and talented education, differentiation and UDL, and instructional improvement. Her experience brings an appreciation for the wholeness and diversity of students.  She believes that the voices of the students are brought forward through academic conversations, written expression, creative inquiry and collaborative engagement.  Finding voice is a first critical step in developing confidence, skills and opportunity for civic engagement.  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 is an active member and supporter of the California Council for the Social Studies and National Council for the Social Studies.  As the Region 1 CISC HSS Subcommittee Representative, she continues her participation alongside other regional members to support initiatives in history-social science throughout the state, including professional development and advocacy for the 2016 California History-Social Science Framework.  She has been a presenter and co-presenter at sessions throughout Mendocino County and conferences within California including, HSS Framework Rollout Events, California Reading Association, California Council for the Social Studies, and the National Council for the Social Studies. 

STATEMENT

The California Council for the Social Studies brings us to a round table set for conversation.  It begins with knowing that the world is a continuous novel of history-social science, built by stories, mighty and small, all leaving a myriad of questions and study.  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 conversation that makes a difference. The California Common Core has led the way to promote critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration.  We have access to technology broadening content and resources. The state’s diversity brings a unique opportunity and challenge to us as we prepare students to thrive in their multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and increasingly connected world.  We have led the way to support language skills and meet the needs of diverse learners through differentiation and UDL.  We are part of the exciting changes that have come with the 2016 California History-Social Science Framework and the instructional shifts for content, literacy, inquiry, and engagement.  I am 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.  We have an opportunity, a space, in which to share efforts, resources and ideas that will support student learning.  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 state and local levels by encouraging a network through which educators can share, talk and plan.  I share 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 find their voices, expand their hearts, and make choices to contribute to their increasingly interconnected world.  Learning today is the power and wisdom for tomorrow and through the Council for the Social Studies we can share a round table to hold these important conversations.  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.