This week, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown will host a visit from the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, emphasizing an international partnership focused on Dr. King’s enduring legacy, education, and shared principles of equity and social justice.
Bogdan Klich, the chargé d’affaires a.i. of Poland, will be visiting the school on Thursday, January 15, coinciding with Dr. King’s actual birthday. The event is anticipated to attract district, county, and state leaders, including MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor. School officials regard this occasion as a significant milestone for the Germantown community.
In addition, John Glodek from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School has been honored as the Middle School Physical Educator of the Year by the Society of Health and Physical Educators Maryland (SHAPE MD). Glodek has been a P.E. teacher at MLK since 2002 and was recognized for his innovative methods, particularly his Riding for Focus cycling program. Supported by a grant from Outride, this initiative integrates structured cycling into the school day, helping students develop essential skills, confidence, and a sense of community.
The theme for Thursday’s event, “Riding a Shared Path: Honoring the Dream,” underscores a meaningful connection between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and a rural elementary school in Witaszyce, Poland. This relationship began when the Polish school was officially designated as World Bicycle Day Elementary School in October 2023, following a decision by local leaders and educators in Jarocin County.
This naming commemorates the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution that established June 3 as World Bicycle Day. One of the school’s educational objectives is to introduce students to notable historical figures who were passionate about cycling. To support this goal, the school has created a Hall of Fame featuring portraits of global leaders associated with bicycles. Among the inaugural honorees are Albert Einstein, Marie Curie-Skłodowska, Lech Wałęsa, Pope John Paul II, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A particularly striking exhibit showcases Dr. King riding a bicycle on September 2, 1967, during a fundraising event in Seaview on Fire Island. Since the Hall of Fame’s inception, the school’s deputy director, Małgorzata Trybek, has been delivering lectures to introduce students to these historical figures and their impactful stories.
This image and its significance eventually crossed the Atlantic. A photograph capturing a classroom lesson was shared with students and staff at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown during World Bicycle Day 2025. This photograph was presented by Dr. Leszek J. Sibilski, the driving force behind the United Nations resolution establishing World Bicycle Day, creating what school leaders described as an inspiring and unexpected moment for the Germantown community.
Educators believe this exchange has blossomed into a unique and powerful educational opportunity, linking students in Poland and Montgomery County through history, dialogue, and shared human values. By using the bicycle as a unifying symbol, teachers have brought history to life while fostering discussions about equity, social justice, and global citizenship.
The visit from Poland’s top diplomatic representative in the United States further amplifies this message. School officials emphasize that the ambassador’s presence honors Dr. King’s legacy while showcasing Poland’s dedication to human rights and equality.
The school highlighted that this visit aims to convey a clear message: the ideals championed by Dr. King transcend borders and cultures, reinforcing the belief that social justice is a universal right, accessible to all individuals, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.
