Kim Holz – the CCSS Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year

As a 2019 California Teacher of the Year, Kim Holz feels strongly about singing the praises of elementary school educators and the complex components that comprise each day. Balanced Literacy, Cognitively Guided Instruction in math, Number Talks, writing across the curriculum, Personalized Learning, and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) are all components of Kim’s daily practices. Kim is most passionate, however, about History-Social Science and her teaching of fourth grade California history. Through an integrated History-Social Science Curriculum, learners can interact with primary source documents, write passionately using a Document Based Question format, read both historical fiction and informational texts, and experience the visual and performing arts through a rich, integrated curriculum that is motivating and accessible to all learners. Kim has taught all grades and has served as a master and mentor teacher during her career. She currently teaches fourth grade at Opal Robinson Elementary in Manhattan Beach Unified School District.

The purpose of the CCSS Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year is to recognize an educator whose classroom teachings in grades K-6 and whose professional practices reflect the goals and purposes of an exemplary social studies education.