I'm Kristina A. Holzweiss a high school edtech librarian on Long Island, New York with a teaching career beginning in 1995 with New York State certifications in Secondary English, Educational Technology, School Library Media, and Computer Science.
In 2015 I was named the School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year.
I have also been recognized as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, New York School Librarian of the Year, National School Board "20 to Watch" Emerging Education Technology Leader, NYSCATE Lee Bryant Outstanding Teacher, Long Island Technology Summit Fred Podolski Leadership and Innovation Award for Most Innovative Use of Technology, and an American Consortium for Equity in Education Champion of Equity. Recently my library learning commons team and I were selected as the American Library Association National School Library of the Year.
I enjoy participating in Maker Faires, and designing lessons that integrate hands-on learning, ranging from low tech to high tech to digital tech. I am the founder of SLIME (Students of Long Island Maker Expo). I was invited to Washington, D.C. to represent my region during the National Week of Making, and am featured in the 2024 STEM calendar "Princesses with Power Tools." I have co-authored Hacking School Libraries, and have written eight makerspace books, My First Book of Trains, and My First Book of Airplanes for children. I aim to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive and contribute their unique strengths. By combining technology and hands-on experience I empower students to overcome barriers and realize their full potential while fostering a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
In 2015 I was named the School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year.
I have also been recognized as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, New York School Librarian of the Year, National School Board "20 to Watch" Emerging Education Technology Leader, NYSCATE Lee Bryant Outstanding Teacher, Long Island Technology Summit Fred Podolski Leadership and Innovation Award for Most Innovative Use of Technology, and an American Consortium for Equity in Education Champion of Equity. Recently my library learning commons team and I were selected as the American Library Association National School Library of the Year.
I enjoy participating in Maker Faires, and designing lessons that integrate hands-on learning, ranging from low tech to high tech to digital tech. I am the founder of SLIME (Students of Long Island Maker Expo). I was invited to Washington, D.C. to represent my region during the National Week of Making, and am featured in the 2024 STEM calendar "Princesses with Power Tools." I have co-authored Hacking School Libraries, and have written eight makerspace books, My First Book of Trains, and My First Book of Airplanes for children. I aim to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive and contribute their unique strengths. By combining technology and hands-on experience I empower students to overcome barriers and realize their full potential while fostering a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
Reinvented Magazine set out to create a calendar featuring the class Princesses many of us grew up with. Too often, young girls are presented with the idea that they can be either a princess of an engineer. Reinvented magazine is proving that they can be both! The Princesses with Power Tools calendar is a perfect example of that -- featuring 12 women and nonbinary individuals in STEMS and the trades doing our work in a princess gown. Educators and social workers can request donated calendars by clicking here.