Molly Schneider is a Lead Instructional Coach & Social Studies Teacher at the Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School
What do you do?
I have several roles this school year. I teach a dual-enrollment American Government and Politics class, conduct instructional coaching throughout my school’s departments, and help plan and implement professional development for our faculty and staff. In addition, I am a doctoral candidate in a Ph.D. program focusing on Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction at Kent State University. My research focuses on empowering student voices in classroom discussions of controversial issues and current events, which I believe has a direct connection to developing students’ media literacy skills.
What is your latest work or project in media literacy?
This fall, I co-launched a media literacy initiative in collaboration with our media specialist, structured in three phases. In October, we hosted after-school academic sessions called Critical Conversations Through the Lens of Current Issues, where faculty and staff explored strategies for integrating media literacy into their classrooms. Next semester, we’ll move to the second phase: Lunch and Learns, professional development sessions during the school day designed to boost teacher confidence in using media literacy strategies with students. The final phase will focus on creating cross-curricular opportunities for students to engage in media literacy, building on the professional development efforts. Our goal is for students to analyze how media elements like word choice and visuals shape audience perception, recognize bias, and understand the influence of messaging on public opinion. We also aim to enhance their ability to evaluate the credibility of online information and use evidence-based reasoning to separate reliable sources from misinformation.
Why is media literacy important to you?
Media literacy is really important to me because it gives students the tools they need to think critically about information, which is more important than ever in today’s complicated media world. In civic education, it helps them spot bias, recognize misinformation, and understand how media shapes public opinion and democracy. It also prepares them to participate in meaningful political conversations and make smart, informed decisions as active citizens. Honestly, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the health of our democracy depends on making sure students get a solid education that includes strong media literacy skills.
What are you most excited about in the media literacy field?
I’m excited about media literacy because it’s so practical and connects directly to real life, helping students make sense of all the information they encounter every day. It’s a big part of educating engaged citizens, giving them the tools to spot bias, evaluate information, and make smart decisions in a democracy. The field is always changing with new technologies and media trends, which keeps things fresh and relevant. That mix of real-world impact and constant evolution makes media literacy both meaningful and exciting to me.
Why did you become a NAMLE member, what benefits do you see to membership, and how will it support your work?
I joined NAMLE because I wanted to connect with others who are passionate about media literacy and stay up to date on what’s happening in the field. Being a member gives me access to great resources, professional development, and the latest research, which all help me grow in my work. It’s a great way to get fresh ideas for teaching and find new ways to support students in thinking critically about media. Plus, being part of a like-minded community keeps me motivated and inspired to keep improving.
Connect with Molly!
The views and opinions expressed in the M-Passioned Member blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NAMLE or its members. The purpose of the M-Passioned Member blog is to highlight our members and give them a place to share their reflections, opinions, and ideas.