Featured Employee of the Month: Magdalena Szymanska

magdalena szymanksa school for dog trainers instructor

At Highland Canine, a large part of the strength of our team of expert dog trainers is derived from the varying backgrounds of our staff. 

Different experiences – from both inside and outside the world of dog training – provide unique perspectives. Through these perspectives, we are able to collectively troubleshoot and problem-solve in most situations. This approach helps us to effectively resolve issues for our clients and our students.

At our School for Dog Trainers, Magdalena Szymanska is an instructor and an integral part of our staff. As part of her role, Magdalena delivers lectures; grades written and practical assessments; and is an important point of contact for students.

Magdalena is originally from Poland, so when we talk about fresh perspectives, it doesn’t get much fresher than someone who was born almost 4,500 miles away! She moved to the US in 2002 and lived in Massachusetts for some time. With a lifelong passion for animals, Magdalena decided to pursue her passion by attending our Master Dog Trainer program, where she finished top of her class. With a natural ability for helping others, Magdalena has now become an important member of our teaching staff. 

If you’re a student at our School for Dog Trainers – or if you plan to attend in the future – you’ll become very familiar with Magdalena. So to learn a little about the person behind the instructor, we decided to feature Magdalena in this quickfire interview!

magdalena szymanska with dog near stream

Q: What would you name the autobiography of your life?
It would be called The Journey.

Q: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
That’s a tough one! I really love to travel. So I think the very first thing I would do is to travel around the world.

magdalena szymanska with two dogs

Q: Where are you originally from?
I’m from Szczecin, Poland. Szczecin is a city of about 400,000 people in northwestern Poland.

Q: When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?
I take a short energy nap to recharge!

Q: If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Harvey Specter from Suits.

Q: What is something you learned in the past week?
I actually learned how to operate a riding lawn mower. It was so much fun!

Q: What chore do you enjoy the least?
There are a few to choose from, but I really don’t like emptying the dishwasher!

Q: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
The TV chef, Gordon Ramsay, I love his shows and his sarcasm!

Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I love to travel, whether it is long or short distances, and I love to see new places.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote?
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”

magdalena szymanska with two goats

Q: If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Definitely my mom’s chicken soup.

Q: Can you name three traits which define you?
Passionate
Determined
Disciplined
magdalena szymanska school for dog trainers instructor with two dogs in grass

Q: What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I really love to play chess!

Q: Do you have a favorite genre of music?
I actually like all kinds of music, but my absolute favorite is Trance.

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
It would be healing.

Q: How do you define success?
If you love what you do, this is success for me.

Q: How did you first learn about Highland Canine?

I think I first found it when I was searching online.

Q: What is your proudest moment at Highland?
That I got offered a job and I’m working with the best team ever.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
When I see my students succeeding during practical exams.

magdalena szymanska with dog selfie