Milwaukee French Immersion principal invited to attend Macron's speech to Congress

Gina Bianchi spends her days immersed in the language and culture of France as principal of Milwaukee French Immersion School. Now, she's hoping for a chance to shake the hand of its president.

Bianchi will be in the gallery Wednesday when French President Emmanuel Macron addresses a joint session of Congress, the guest of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

She said she was shocked and humbled by the invitation.

"It's an amazing opportunity. ... I hope I get a chance to meet him," said Bianchi, a former teacher who has led the school for about five years.

Baldwin issued a statement saying Bianchi "has shown a strong commitment to making the French language and culture more accessible to all students, while fostering the development of global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world."

She was recognized as Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, or Knight in the Order of Academic Palms in 2016, which is awarded to individuals who make significant contributions to the expansion of French language and culture.

The school has also earned the prestigious LabelFrancEducation status from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the excellence of their immersion program and the great contributions to the promotion of the French language and culture.

If she gets a chance to meet Macron, Bianchi said she will thank him for his government's support of dual language programs in the United States, which benefits schools like hers. The latest round of funding, she said, will allow teachers to attend professional development in France and the school to implement the official French diploma exams for the first time.

"It's had a huge, positive impact on our school," said Bianchi.

"He's a very big supporter of the French programs in the United States ... and around the world," she said.