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Sterling Heights High School government teacher Amy Koelsch has been invited to attend the House Fellows Program June 23-27 in Washington, D.C., for an opportunity to obtain an insider’s view of the floor of the House of Representatives. She’ll go to committee meetings, watch the representatives debate the issues on the floor and then witness the vote.

“I think it’s very beneficial to see firsthand how the government works,” Koelsch said. “It will help bring the textbook alive.”

The program allows one teacher each from 12 congressional districts the chance to improve their knowledge and understanding of the House. The 12 districts are chosen based on the seniority of the representatives; Koelsch had the opportunity to apply for the program this year because of the longevity of Rep. Sander Levin, D-Michigan.

“The House Fellows Program provides high school history and government teachers firsthand experience of federal government and congressional operations,” Levin said. “They will learn how to access important sources of legislative and historical information, as well as discuss curriculum development to bring back to their classrooms and share with fellow teachers.”

To be considered, Koelsch had to submit her resume, a letter of intent and a lesson plan of what she intended to do following the experience.

“You have to come back and teach other teachers in your congressional district what to do with the material you learned,” Koelsch said.

Although the program pays for Koelsch to participate, she did have to pay for her own transportation to the nation’s capital.