Polish delegate visits MHS

January 13, 2021 Global Certificate students and others were fortunate to be able to host a visit from a member of the Polish Trade delegation visiting Wisconsin. Bartosz Rybak has worked as a political advisor within the Polish Government and currently works in the office of the Ministry of Education.

Working with our local State Assembly Representative, Cody Horlacher, the Global Certificate program reached out to the Polish trade delegation for interest in speaking with our students. In response both Bartosz and the Minister of Education and Science, Przemyslaw Czarnek both agreed to visit. However due to travel restrictions and the time period of COVID-19 Minister Czarnek was forced to remain in Poland during the visit.

While visiting, Bartosz toured Mukwonago High School and spoke with administration about the education programs here in Mukwonago and how we prepare our students for their diverse options after high school. They toured our Fabrication Lab, Technology & Careers Education Department, sports facilities, performing arts center and classrooms and study areas throughout the building.

After touring Bartosz met a group of 36 students from the Global Certificate program, Model UN, AP Government and other classes and groups and spoke on various topics. Main areas of focus included the response to COVID-19 in Poland, specifically the response within Polish schools and historical connections between Poland and Wisconsin. Bartosz also commented on his own personal reaction and experience to the Smolensk air disaster that killed over 90 government leaders in Poland back in 2010 and a perspective on the protests in Washington D.C the week before.

The minister of Education still joined our conversation remotely through a recording. We submitted ten questions related to education to the Minister and he responded with a recorded response to our students about the education system in Poland and his goals as the Minister or Education & Science.

The experience was very interesting for all involved. Bartosz and Minister Czarnek have expressed interest in a continued relationship and discussion with our students. While many possibilities are still up in the air, Bartosz shared an interest in bringing Polish students to Mukwonago high school, a possible future visit from Minister Czarnek, and the possibility of Mukwonago students visiting Poland as well. What will happen next for our Global Certificate students? Only time will tell.