Oroville sixth-grade teacher Jacqueline Marshall (left of Gov. Chris Gregoir, who is center front) and Oroville High School social studies teacher Kelsey Cleveland (second to right of the governor) at the Legislative Scholars Program held in Olympia last

OLYMPIA – In July, two Oroville teachers attended a five-day conference in Olympia at the State Capitol as part of the Legislative Scholar Program.

Kelsey Cleveland, a social studies teacher at Oroville High School and Jacqueline Marshall, a sixth-grade teacher at Oroville Elementary participated in the Legislative Scholar Program. Each summer, the state legislature holds a conference for up to 25 teachers from around the state. The focus of the program is to further educate teachers in civics and give them a firsthand look into how government operates at the state level.

Throughout the week, participants met with state legislators, a Supreme Court Justice, lobbyists and members of the executive branch, including Governor Christine Gregoire.

“During the conference, we learned that our state government actually works much more efficiently than most people perceive. I was surprised to learn that over 90 percent of the bills passed each year are completely bipartisan,” said Marshall.

Both teachers found the Legislative Scholar Program to be a valuable opportunity.

Cleveland said, “After getting firsthand experience at what our legislature does, I can bring this knowledge back to my students. With the amount of materials and resources we received, this conference would be beneficial for any teacher, regardless of the grade level or subject area you teach.” Cleveland and Marshall are looking forward to giving Oroville students a more in depth look at civics and the opportunity to participate in the legislative process this year.