Mrs. Marie Kolodziejski (pronounced Kolod-jess-ski), affectionately known as Mrs. K among 8th graders, is well regarded for her innovative teaching style. “I love learning new things and ensuring I teach in the most relevant way,” she says. That’s why she applied for the Literacy for Civic Life Fellowship in 2023—a program designed to help educators improve students' critical thinking and reading skills, particularly around civic engagement.”
“Civic Life and Social Studies is all about learning how to be an engaged U.S. citizen,” Mrs. K explains. “We explore New York State and U.S. history, connecting it to the challenges and opportunities we face today.” This fellowship brings together educators from rural and urban areas who are eager to discover new ways to teach Civic Life to young people.
“I’m learning alongside a fantastic group of educators from all over New York—from Ithaca to New York City, the Adirondacks to the Hudson Valley,” she shares. “We collaborate as a team of colleagues, sharing ideas and strategies.”
While many think of literacy as mainly focused on English classes, Mrs. K emphasizes that “reading and understanding all forms of media is crucial for Civic Life.” In her classroom, the focus on improving reading and writing is paramount. Each task incorporates a writing aspect, allowing students to think critically through their work and demonstrate their understanding of the material. Mrs. K appreciates the opportunity to support her English Language Arts colleagues in this project, knowing that their collaborative efforts enhance student learning.
After seven years of teaching at Granville, including advising Jr. High Newspaper and Junior Honor Society too, Mrs. K continues to keep her students engaged and learning in fun, relatable ways. “My Granville students are always excited to try something new,” she says, highlighting how this approach fosters deeper engagement.
Granville CSD extends a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Kolodziejski for her dedication and passion in our Jr. High classrooms!
Here is the link to learn more about SUNY Adirondack social studies career paths.
Here is a link to free, fun video games to help your student study for K-12 Social Studies.