Hershey Montessori School is pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Maccabe as its new Head of School, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the internationally recognized Montessori institution. Heather officially assumed the role on July 1, 2026 in preparation for the 2026–27 academic year following an extensive global search led by the school’s Board of Directors.

A highly respected AMI Montessori educator and administrator, Heather brings more than three decades of experience in child-centered education and Montessori leadership. Her appointment follows a comprehensive 10-month search conducted by Carney, Sandoe & Associates that attracted distinguished candidates from around the world. The process included significant input from Hershey Montessori families, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members.

“Heather’s impressive credentials and experience in multicultural education make her ideally suited to be our next Head of School,” said Jeffrey Embleton, Board Secretary and chair of the search committee. “She is known for her passionate support of student and staff development and building strong school communities. We’re proud to gain her wisdom and expertise.”

Heather holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Montessori concentration from the University of Hartford. She earned her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta and her AMI Elementary Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of New England. She has also completed the AMI/NAMTA Orientation to Adolescence program in Chihuahua, Mexico, along with Montessori Whole School Leadership Training.

Throughout her career, Heather has served in leadership positions at several distinguished Montessori institutions, including Virgin Islands Montessori School and International Academy, The Montessori School in Wilton, Connecticut, and the Montessori Training Center Northeast in Hartford, Connecticut. Most recently, she served as Head of School at Arbor Montessori School in Decatur, Georgia.

For Heather, joining Hershey Montessori School is both a professional honor and a personal inspiration.

“Throughout my career, I have admired Hershey Montessori School for its dedication to Dr. Montessori’s vision for educating children and adolescents,” Heather said. “I am humbled to have been selected to serve as its Head of School.”

She emphasized the importance of balancing Montessori traditions with the evolving needs of students and communities.

“In a world that is constantly evolving, it is essential for school leaders to maintain a growth mindset: to be grounded in Montessori principles while also responsive to the changing needs of our communities,” Heather said. “I believe that by holding both the core values of an AMI Montessori education and a broad view of the world, we can create learning environments that are resilient, inclusive and profoundly impactful.”

Her appointment comes as Hershey Montessori School continues to build on its longstanding reputation as a leader in Montessori education. Board President John Cunningham expressed appreciation for the many community members who participated in the search process and helped shape the school’s future leadership.

“It was inspiring to have involvement from families, alumni, former and current members of staff and others with ties to Hershey going back decades, who care so deeply about their school,” Cunningham said. “We are grateful to the search committee as well as to Interim Head of School Diana Le Sieur, who led us through this transition with a steadfast commitment to Hershey Montessori School, its students, and staff.”

To ensure a smooth transition, Heather has spent the past several months meeting with faculty, staff, students, families, and board members, building relationships and gaining a deep understanding of the Hershey Montessori community before officially stepping into the role.

Founded more than 45 years ago, Hershey Montessori School serves students from birth through age 18 across its Concord and Huntsburg campuses. The school is recognized internationally for its commitment to authentic Montessori education and was among the first schools in the world to offer a complete Montessori curriculum from birth through graduation, including a boarding program on a working farm as part of its Middle and Upper School program.

As the 2026–27 school year approaches, the Hershey Montessori community looks forward to welcoming Heather’s leadership, vision, and deep commitment to Montessori education as the school continues its mission of nurturing capable, compassionate, and globally minded learners.