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Bay City hosts educators from Ansbach, Germany, to expand long-running sister city school exchange
Summary
Bay City education and community leaders briefed the commission on a multi-year sister-city exchange with Ansbach, Germany, describing educator and planned student exchanges for 2026, fundraising events and a 60th-anniversary celebration.
Educators and community volunteers updated the Bay City Commission Monday on the city’s long-standing sister-city educational exchange with Ansbach (Anspach/Ansbach in the transcript), Germany.
Kathy Dardis, identified as an assistant principal and member of the educational cohort, told commissioners the exchange has included multiple educator visits and student groups over the past three to six years. "Our exchange has been happening for about 3 plus years," Dardis said, noting visits to the career center, Delta College and Bay City public schools and plans to continue reciprocal visits.
Why it matters: the program aims to broaden career and technical education connections and cultural understanding between Bay City students and German partners. Presenters said the exchange highlights career-center curricula, local business and industry partnerships, and pathways to postsecondary opportunities.
Visiting educators included Andreas Bott (teacher, Commercial School in Ansbach), Thomas Zink (sports and English teacher at Wirtschaftsschule), Stephanie Pund (German and history teacher), and Susanne Bridal (principal and teacher). Bay City participants named included Susan Elder (German teacher at Bay City Central High School and Handy Middle School), Lisa Forrest (retired teacher), and other community partners. The visitors described classroom and cultural exchange activities and thanked Bay City hosts.
Plans and fundraising: presenters described upcoming fundraisers and events to support student travel, including a German-themed trivia night, a German dinner prepared by career-center culinary students and other cultural activities. The educational cohort said it will take a group of Bay City students to Ansbach in July 2026 and host a group from Ansbach in Bay City in September 2026 as part of a 60th-anniversary celebration of the sister-city relationship.
Ending: Commissioners welcomed the delegation and thanked staff and volunteers. Presenters said community members can join fundraising activities and the Donk Club (a German-American club) to support the exchange and that further information will be shared by email.
