School Principal and Director
Milena Dickens, M.Ed
M.Ed. Old Polish University in Kielce (Education & Resocialization Pedagogy)
B.Eng. University of Technology in Kielce (Industrial Design)
Certified Teacher of Polish as a Second, Heritage, and Foreign Language from John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), California State University San Marcos
Certified in CPR and First Aid
Milena was born and raised in Poland, in the picturesque Świętokrzyskie region.
In Poland, she completed a degree in Education with a specialization in social rehabilitation and judicial work. She also earned an engineering degree in Industrial Design at the Faculty of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, she studied Russian Philology with a focus on translation studies as a personal interest, where she developed a strong passion for language development.
After completing her master’s and engineering degrees, Milena moved to the United States in 2018. There, she began working with children on the autism spectrum and supporting early childhood education in a private Polish preschool.
She continued her education through postgraduate studies in Applied Behavior Analysis at California State University. At the same time, she studied teaching Polish as a foreign and heritage language at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Her thesis focused on developing a lesson plan for early elementary classes, which was implemented and evaluated during classes at the Juliusz Słowacki Polish School in Seattle.
Milena has been connected with the Juliusz Słowacki Polish School in Seattle since 2019, first as a teacher and later as the school director. She has experience teaching a wide range of students—from preschool-aged children to beginner youth and adult learners.
In her daily professional life, she works at a therapeutic center as a behavioral analyst and clinical supervisor. She is passionate about education, language, and supporting diverse learners, and strives to create engaging and effective learning environments for all her students.
In her free time, she enjoys science and psychology, as well as art, traveling, and gardening.
Adult Classes Instructor
Christina Manetti, Ph.D.
M.A., Ph.D., University of Washington (History, specialization in Polish History)
B.A., Brown University (History and Russian Studies)
Dr. Christina Manetti’s proficiency in Polish has been assessed by the U.S. Department of State as equivalent to that of a well-educated native speaker. She taught Polish-to-English translation at the University of Warsaw for three and a half years and has also taught Polish at the University of Washington in Seattle.
In the fall of 2023, she was honored with the Michael Henry Heim Prize in Collegial Translation.
Between 1989 and 2003, Dr. Manetti lived in Poland for a total of nine years, working as a freelance translator and interpreter. During this time, she interpreted interviews with former Polish president and Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa, as well as with General Wojciech Jaruzelski, head of Poland’s communist government during the period of martial law.
Since 1990, the Polish language has been a central focus of her life. She is deeply passionate about Polish and enjoys sharing with her students the many aspects she finds fascinating—from its distinctive diacritical marks and rich grammar to memorable expressions and vibrant slang. Even after many years, she continues to discover new and interesting features of the language almost every day.
Dr. Manetti believes that building a strong foundation in a foreign language begins with mastering its sounds, followed by grammar. She emphasizes the importance of engaging students through diverse and meaningful materials, including song lyrics, historical content (drawing on her background as a historian), cultural insights, and current events. She also tailors learning materials to students’ individual interests to maintain high levels of motivation and engagement.
As a non-native speaker of Polish, she brings a unique perspective to teaching. Students often find that she is able to explain complex aspects of Polish grammar in a clear and accessible way, as she understands firsthand the challenges of learning the language.
Children’s and Adult Classes Educator
Anna Babcock
M.S, University of Gdańsk in Poland (Economics and International Business)
Anna is a Polish language teacher originally from Poland, dedicated to sharing her native language and culture. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics and International Business from the University of Gdańsk in Poland.
After several years working in the import/export sector in Poland, she began teaching English as a second language at both public and private schools, working with children and adults. Through this experience, she discovered her passion for language education and later transitioned to teaching her native language—Polish—which she now teaches with enthusiasm and commitment.
Since relocating to Seattle, Anna has been a valued member of the Polish School in Seattle since 2006. She teaches students at all levels—from beginner to advanced—creating a structured and engaging learning environment.
Early Childhood Educator
Edyta Łukasik-Bryant
A.A. in Early Childhood Education, Treasure Valley Community College
B.S. University of the People (Health Science (BSHS), with a Minor in Information Technology) - Currently pursuing
15+ Years of Special Education Experience
CPR and First Aid Certified
Edyta was born in Poznań, Poland, and moved to the United States at the age of four. She spent most of her life in Idaho before relocating to the Seattle area in the fall of 2023 for her husband’s job. She has a daughter and two black cats, and has come to enjoy the region’s famously cloudy weather.
She brings extensive experience in preschool and early childhood special education, including working with children with diverse needs and familiarity with medical equipment. She also has experience using Spanish and American Sign Language in her previous roles.
Outside of work, Edyta enjoys crafting, creating, and exploring different forms of art. She has a strong interest in technology and enjoys learning new things. She believes in lifelong learning and encourages others to explore and pursue their interests.