Our Story

Hello! I’m Damian Bacich — a university professor, parent, and lifelong student of California history. For more than 25 years, I’ve taught students at every level, including hundreds of future teachers learning how to bring California’s past to life in their classrooms.

But my journey into curriculum writing began much closer to home.

When my own children were in elementary school, I wanted to share California’s incredible story with them — from Native cultures and the Spanish and Mexican periods to the Gold Rush, statehood, and modern California. I looked for resources that were accurate, age-appropriate, and grounded in solid historical understanding.

What I found was… almost nothing.

There were textbooks that were too dense, worksheets that were too shallow, and online resources that weren’t reliable. Homeschool parents and classroom teachers deserved better.

So I began creating my own materials.

From a Simple Website to a Statewide Resource

I started writing clear, well-researched California history articles on a small website, The California Frontier Project. Before long, tens of thousands of teachers, parents, and students were using the site for lessons, homework help, and classroom activities.

Schools, co-ops, and homeschool groups began inviting me to speak with students. Everywhere I went, I saw two things:

• Kids are naturally curious about California’s past, and

• Parents and teachers are stretched incredibly thin.

Many told me the same story:

“I want to teach California history well… I just don’t have time to create everything from scratch.”

I knew exactly how they felt — and I wanted to help.

Why I Created California History Teachers

I founded California History Teachers to give families, educators, and charter-school specialists everything they need to teach California history with confidence, without hours of prep or frustration.

Here, you’ll find:

• A complete, 33-lesson California history curriculum

• Lessons that are accurate, standards-aligned, and suitable for all learning environments

• Materials written specifically for 4th-grade learners

• Printable worksheets, maps, timelines, and assessments

• Individual lessons and units for families or teachers who only need specific topics

• Curriculum widely used by California homeschool charters

My goal is simple:
To make California history the easiest subject you teach all year — and one your students genuinely enjoy.

A Personal Commitment to Quality

Everything you see on this site is grounded in the same historical research I do as a university scholar. I believe students deserve the real story of California — thoughtfully told, age-appropriate, and based on multiple perspectives.

As a parent, I also understand how important it is that materials be:

• Clear

• Flexible

• Easy to use

• Engaging

• Academically trustworthy

That combination is at the heart of everything we create.

Let’s Learn California History Together

Whether you’re a homeschool parent, a classroom teacher, or an education specialist supporting multiple families, I’m here to help.

You can:

📥 Download a free sample
📚 Explore the curriculum
💬 Reach out with questions anytime

I love hearing from the teachers and families who use these materials, and I’m always happy to support you as you plan your school year.

Thank you for being part of this learning community — and for helping the next generation discover California’s incredible story.

Warmly,
Damian Bacich, PhD
Founder, California History Teachers
Creator, The California Frontier Project