The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland will visit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown this week as part of a unique international connection centered on Dr. King’s legacy, education, and shared values of equity and social justice.
Bogdan Klich, chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland, has accepted an invitation to visit the school on Thursday, January 15, which is Dr. King’s actual birthday. The visit is expected to include district, county, and state leaders, including MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor. School officials describe the event as a historic moment for the Germantown community.
Additionally, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School’s own John Glodek was named Middle School Physical Educator of the Year by the Society of Health and Physical Educators Maryland (SHAPE MD) this year. Glodek has taught P.E. at MLK since 2002 and was recognized for his innovative approach to physical education, most notably his Riding for Focus cycling program. Funded by a grant from Outride, the class brings structured cycling into the school day, giving students the chance to build functional skills, confidence, and community.
Thursday’s event’s theme, “Riding a Shared Path: Honoring the Dream,” highlights an unexpected and meaningful connection between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and a rural elementary school in Witaszyce, Poland. That connection began after the Polish school was officially named World Bicycle Day Elementary School in October 2023, following a decision by local leaders and educators in Jarocin County.
The naming commemorates the United Nations General Assembly resolution that established June 3 as World Bicycle Day. One of the school’s educational goals is to introduce students to influential historical figures who were known bicycle enthusiasts. As part of that effort, the school created a Hall of Fame featuring portraits of global leaders depicted with or on bicycles. Among the first honorees were Albert Einstein, Marie Curie-Skłodowska, Lech Wałęsa, Pope John Paul II, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A particularly striking exhibit shows Dr. King riding a bicycle on September 2, 1967, while attending a fundraising event in Seaview on Fire Island. Since the Hall of Fame’s creation, the school’s deputy director, Małgorzata Trybek, has delivered lectures introducing students to these historical figures and their stories.
That image and its significance eventually made its way across the Atlantic. A photograph documenting a classroom lesson was shared with students and staff at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown during World Bicycle Day 2025. The photograph was presented by Dr. Leszek J. Sibilski, the initiator of the United Nations resolution establishing World Bicycle Day, creating what school leaders described as an unexpected and inspiring moment for the Germantown community.
Educators say the exchange has grown into a rare and powerful educational opportunity, connecting students in Poland and Montgomery County through history, dialogue, and shared human values. By using the bicycle as a unifying symbol, teachers brought history to life while encouraging conversations about equity, social justice, and global citizenship.
The visit by Poland’s top diplomatic representative in the United States further underscores that message. School officials say the ambassador’s presence honors Dr. King’s legacy while highlighting Poland’s commitment to human rights and equality.
The school noted that the visit is intended to send a clear message that the ideals Dr. King stood for transcend borders and cultures, reinforcing the idea that social justice belongs to all people, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.
