In Valparaiso, Ivy Tech Community College hosted administrators and educators from Zespół Szkół Technicznych High School in October as the team showcased a comprehensive overview of current campus program offerings and operations, a news release said. Joined by Dr. Mark Bannatyne from Minnesota State Community and Technical College, team discussed key specifics related to the School of Information Technology and the transition students make from high school to college.
Zespół Szkół Technicznych in Tarnowo Podgórne, Poland, is a technical high school that focuses on areas including IT, logistics, and robotics. Abroad the high school opened five years ago and is currently overseeing their first set of graduates successfully complete coursework and subsequent academic journeys. In Poland, students on a technical track attend high school for five years to complete exams and enter highly sought jobs in the workforce.
The visit, a collaborative effort of Dr. Bannatyne and Benjamin Marrero, Dean of the School of Information Technology at Ivy Tech, focused on IT programming and the transition from high school to college with particular interest in K-14 programming. “In Poland, everything is linear,” said Agata Herda, Principal by way of translator Agnieszka Piekarzewska. She went on to further explain that students choose a path and attend a high school based on their choice.
Traci Radford, Director of K-14 & Professor found the visit invigorating. “It’s about the students,” said Radford. “When you consider our collaboration has the potential to help students and educators here and in Poland, it is exciting.”
Two IT instructors from Zespół Szkół Technicznych connected with Dean Marrero as he detailed the benefits of skills that students gain through Ivy Tech programs. The group travelled to Chesterton High School (CHS), an Ivy Tech dual credit partner, where Principal Brent Martinson welcomed the crew. Martinson directly discussed how CHS provides students direction and opportunities, such as dual credit and internships, sharing the vision of the school and importance of giving students purpose.
Martinson stated that the school “was truly honored to host our new friends.” He added, “It was an enjoyable and enlightening experience to exchange ideas and share the unique opportunities we all commonly strive to provide for our students. This visit allowed us to strengthen international connections and learn from one another, furthering our commitment to academic excellence and global collaboration.” A tour of the school, led by the principal, left the group “overwhelmed” by the endless opportunities available to students. They were impressed by the facilities and investment that Chesterton makes in its students as well as options and flexibility through collaboration between the high school and Ivy Tech.
