“An amazing experience” is how Wantagh High School Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone describes his recent trip to Stockholm, Sweden, where he was invited to take part in the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit from March 23-29. He connected with administrators and teachers from all over the world for meaningful conversations about education.

There were 34 countries represented at the summit and Dr. Guzzone gained insight into the structure of school systems across the globe. For example, he said, education in Sweden starts by age 2. 

The first two days of the trip were spent mostly with colleagues from North American, which included educators from New York, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Texas, as well as Canada. The group received a private tour of the Nobel Prize Museum and had lunch with its director. He got to meet two Nobel Peace Prize winners – Leymah Gbowee from 2011 and Maria Ressa from 2021.

The following two days, the educators from all 34 countries were together. There were roundtable discussions on different issues, such as artificial intelligence. The guests were then split into 10 groups, with each visiting a school in Sweden. Dr. Guzzone was part of a team that went to Stockholms Estetiska Gymnasium, a secondary arts school. 

During a full day there, Dr. Guzzone met with students and teachers. He was struck by the fact that every student is bilingual, fluent in both English and Swedish, which allowed him to have full conversations. There were also no bells, larger gaps between classes and more informal classroom settings, making it feel more like a college environment. 

“I was moved by how much the students felt connected to their school and their love for learning,” Dr. Guzzone said. “In Wantagh, we also have that strong connection with our students.”

He noted that there were some advantages to the different educational models. In Sweden, students go to schools that focus on their interests, while in the United States students get a more well-rounded education at comprehensive high schools like Wantagh. 

Dr. Guzzone said it was eye-opening to hear about some of the challenges that some schools around the world face, noting that many don’t have the educational resources that are available to Wantagh students. He enjoyed getting to discuss the district’s programs for students and noted that other educators were very interested in the information he shared.

Outside of the formal meetings, Dr. Guzzone had some time to enjoy the city. One of his stops was the Vasa Museum, which was built around a nearly fully-intact 17th Century ship that sank and was salvaged. The time spent visiting landmarks or going out to eat with other educators is where some of the most natural conversations took place, he added. 

Dr. Guzzone’s trip was sponsored by EF Educational Tours, which provides a limited number of scholarships to educators looking to participate in the unique and prestigious professional development program. He and a principal from Port Washington were the only two representatives from New York.

“It’s an experience I never thought I would have, but one that I feel fortunate to be a part of,” he said. “It was an honor to represent Wantagh. I made some strong connections that will hopefully be long lasting.”