The event served to sum up 10 months of the School of Education students’ academic work and school practices. Each of 20 graduates had an opportunity to present the most important, most personal, most surprising moments or tools they had come in contact with during their studies. The subjects of these presentations were various – teacher’s personal development and resources, interesting tools and methods, relations with students, parents, or other teachers.

“The School of Education is our joint work and value, still vulnerable. (…) The role of both school and academic teachers is that of a keystone – they raise curiosity, willingness to ask questions and gain knowledge. I want to congratulate the graduates, and thank them. Dear Staff – that must be great satisfaction to know that you do something sensible. Dear Graduates – don’t bow to school dullness,” Prof. Jolanta Choińska-Mika, the University of Warsaw Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Teaching, said.

“A teacher must be ready to ‘change focus’. One of my biggest discoveries at the School of Education was that I noticed students. I stopped being ‘an actor’ and started to be a ‘light operator’. Students autonomy was one of my catchwords at SE,” Marlena Bartczak, a graduate, recalled.

Among the guests invited to the ceremony were members of the PAFF Board of Directors Prof. Anna Fornalczyk and Dr. Krzysztof Pawłowski. “You have made huge progress over last 10 months. You will teach young generations in different ways. So, go ahead!” Prof. Anna Fornalczyk encouraged the School of Education graduates. The ceremony was also attended by Director of PAFF Representative Office in Poland Grzegorz Jędrys, and PAFF Program Director Marianna Hajdukiewicz.

Receiving diplomas and teacher certificates does not mark the end of graduates contacts with the School of Education. Young teachers will now be covered by the support program and can rely on the SE staff’s assistance with every problem.

At present, the School enrolls candidates for next academic year. Apart from Polish and math, the School offer has been extended and includes also history and social studies, and biology and life sciences teaching courses.

The PAFF and UW School of Education offers free-of-charge post-graduate full-time course that combines theory and practical classes for future teachers established in 2016 by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation in cooperation with University of Warsaw and the Foundation for Quality Education. The study program was prepared in cooperation with experts of the renowned Columbia University Teachers College, New York. The course ensures professional qualifications for teaching, and develops leadership skills and creativity. It is run in a unique form that combines academic classes and practical classes at school.