German program highlighted at summit

The German language program at Whitewater High was on the agenda of the first-ever Atlanta German Business and Education Summit as an example of business and education working together.

German teacher Patrick Wallace, who also helped to organize the event, gave a presentation on the partnerships Whitewater High has secured with various local German companies, and how these partnerships are benefitting both the students and businesses.

Wallace made his presentation in front of representatives from over 50 Atlanta area German businesses, including Porsche and Kuehne-Nagel (logistics provider). The goal of the event was to bring German educational and business leaders together, and to form mutually beneficial partnerships in support of one another.

“I think that we will see many positive developments as a result, not only for our students here at Whitewater High, but for German students and companies throughout the entire Atlanta metro region,” said Wallace of the summit.

Whitewater High’s German program has hosted several similar-type summits in Fayette in an effort to explore additional partnerships with German companies located in close proximity to the county. Such partnerships could potentially provide on-the-job experience and skills training for students, and a skilled workforce for businesses.

The school has also hosted groups of German dignitaries, exchange students, and college-level education students who had heard about Whitewater’s successful program, and wanted to visit to learn more. Wallace says the program will have numerous visitors again this year, including representatives from two German partner schools, the German Consulate in Atlanta, German businesses, and German college-level education interns.

The Atlanta German Business and Education Summit was held in Atlanta July 27 at the Goethe-Zentrum German Cultural Center.