Program Wants to Connect Students With Czech Businesses

Bret Baldwin, an education advocate from Victoria, wants to connect local high school students with businesses in the Czech Republic.

The students would learn the Czech language while working on virtual projects with fellow high schoolers in the Czech Republic. Baldwin said the plan involves projects that would be sponsored by businesses in the Czech Republic with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The program would hopefully culminate with a trip to the Czech Republic so students could experience the country and develop an interest in international business.

The project is very much in the infancy stage. Baldwin said he reached out to several stakeholders in Fayette County because of the strong Czech heritage here. Last Friday, he met with Joseph Bartosh of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, Blinn College Schulenburg Campus Executive Dean Dr. Becky Garlick, and Schulenburg Public Library Director Thadious Polasek, who also teaches Czech language classes.

They also met with Sylvie Nelson of One Work Source, a workforce development organization.

Nelson helped to develop a similar program involving German companies and German language students in the United States.

Baldwin said he organized the meeting last Friday to measure local interest in the idea. Baldwin said he is making contacts in other communities with a strong Czech heritage throughout South and Central Texas.

He hopes local schools will support the endeavor. Baldwin said schools may even be able to access additional state funding by participating in the program.