Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) commends Bell Gardens High School history teacher Elizabeth Kocharian of Whittier on her participation in the U.S. House of Representatives House Historian’s Office 2010 Fellows Program. 

Kocharian is among 46 fellows nationwide selected during a highly competitive process to participate in a one-week intensive program on the history and practices of the U.S. House of Representatives.  During interdisciplinary workshops, the high school history teachers gain an insider’s view of the House designed to help them better teach their students about the “People’s House.” 

According to Deputy House Historian Dr. Fred W. Beuttler, “The teachers experience the House firsthand and then return to their respective schools to share their insights with their students, fellow teachers and administrators.”

Established in 2005, the Office of the House Historian is mandated by Congress to “preserve, present and interpret” the history of the U.S. House of Representatives.  The office fulfills its mission by conducting oral interviews of members, presenting talks on House history and writing histories of House Committees.

Kocharian has taught 11th grade history at Bell Gardens High School for the last 9 years.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from California State University in 1999 and completed a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Azusa Pacific University in 2006.

More information about the fellowship program is available at http://historian.house.gov/