Inquiry over facts
We launched Inquire, Discover, Engage in 2015 to help educators meet the cultural and philosophical shifts that focus teaching and learning on student-centered, inclusive narratives.
Our Mission
The California Foundation for History Education provides professional leadership and program support to foster engaged social studies classrooms centered on the teaching of historical inquiry and the appreciation of diverse histories.
Our Focus
We focus on three elements of student-centered inquiry: questioning, historical thinking skills, and civic dispositions. Our work engages educators and students in investigating the past to inform the future.
Board of Directors
Whitney Olson, MA
Founder & CEO
Educational Consultant
Jacob Faircloth, JD
Bluestone, Faircloth
& Olson, LLP
Christina Arpante, EdD
Communications &
Public Relations
Christy Story, PhD
Historian & Educator
Castilleja School
Trainers & Learning Experience Specialists
Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff is a former history and science educator who now serves as a consultant specializing in digital citizenship, media literacy, blended learning, curriculum instruction and design, educational technology and innovation in the classroom. and the CA HSS Framework. Laurel is also an adjunct university professor and the co-author of Bring History and Civics to Life.
Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff, MS.Ed.
Barbara J. Lane is a 35+-year classroom veteran teaching grades 7-12 Language arts and English. Barbara is the former Secondary ELA/ELD and History Coordinator for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in San Bernardino, CA., and is an adjunct lecturer at California State University, San Bernardino, teaching literacy across the curriculum. Barbara has extensive experience in classroom management, curriculum development and instruction, reading, writing and literacy instruction, student assessment, and Teacher Clarity.
Barbara Lane
Whitney Olson is a former social studies educator who currently works as an educational consultant, supporting history teachers with historical inquiry and the CA HSS Framework. As the co-coordinator for National History Day - California, Whitney also leads an annual teacher camp to support historical inquiry and PBL in the history classroom.
Whitney Olson, MA
Anne Olson currently teaches secondary education and specializes in AP U.S. History, U.S. History, and Gender Studies. She is passionate about bringing her students authentic learning experiences that reflect the work of academic historians, focusing on historical thinking skills and authentic research. Anne also consults on standards based grading and National History Day.
Anne Olson, MAT
Frank Pisi currently provides professional development and support to California school districts on all topics related to History-Social Science. As Director of History-Social Science at the Sacramento County Office of Education, Frank directed the Content, Literacy, Inquiry, and Citizenship (CLIC) Project. CLIC advanced a vision where authentic student engagement forms the context the learning experience.
Frank Pisi, MAT
Liz Ramos is a high school history teacher and works with social studies candidates teaching literacy and methods. She incorporates a constructivist approach while integrating civics, news literacy skills, and technology into her classroom. Liz has also worked on writing curriculum for PBS and Bridging the Divide and has been a teacher leader with the Constitutional Rights Project T2T grant project.
Liz Ramos