(June 14, 2010) -- As one of five teachers chosen from across the nation, U.S. History and Government teacher Edit Khachatryan has been awarded the privilege to live in Washington, D.C. for a one-year fellowship program with the U.S. Department of Education. Although very excited, Khachatryan says she is also anxious, since she has heard that the work is very fast paced ― a very different approach compared to the patience and slow pace she needs with her students.

As a staff member at the U.S. Department of Education, Khachatryan will work on federal policy for laws that regard schools’ education policies. Khachatryan and the four other teachers will be working with this department to help better the nation’s schools and the regulations that apply to them.

“There is a lot of research that I will be doing while I am there, and I might have to travel around the nation as well. I will have meetings with legislators and share my opinion on different policies regarding schools that I believe will work or not,” Khachatryan said.

Khachatryan had to go through a long process to qualify for the job, but she knows this opportunity will benefit herself and even Clark. “I will be able to share my ideas with people of high status and try to make things better for schools. And when I come back, I will be able to share the new ideas I’ve learned with Clark and the Glendale Unified School District,” Khachatryan said.

Khachatryan will not be teaching while in Washington, but will be working in the office of Planning Evaluation and Policy Development. She said she will miss Clark and is planning on returning to her position at Clark once the program is over.