Hershey Welcomes International Educators for Montessori Adolescent Study Tour

Huntsburg, OH —Hershey Montessori School recently had the pleasure of welcoming an international group of Montessori educators to its Huntsburg Campus as part of a 25‑day global Montessori expedition highlighting innovative adolescent education.

The group tour, organized by Australian Roelie Hartwig of Montessori Tours and Travel, aimed to “share the successes and challenges of renowned Montessori Adolescent Programmes in the USA and Mexico.” The “unique tour was created for those working in, wanting to work in, wanting to improve, wanting to learn more about, Montessori Adolescent Programmes” as stated on the MT&T website.

The visiting group included a dozen Montessorians representing New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Australia. Traveling through the United States and Mexico on a curated study tour, the educators set out to see, learn, and experience Montessori education in action, with Hershey Montessori identified as a key destination along their journey. A featured itinerary map shared by the group traced their route across the United States and Mexico.

Members of the group referred to Hershey Montessori’s Huntsburg Campus as “the Mecca of Adolescent Education,” underscoring the school’s longstanding reputation as a global leader in Montessori practice for students ages 12–18. Their visit focused on observing adolescent classrooms and immersing themselves in Hershey Montessori’s distinctive approach to experiential, place‑based, and community‑focused learning.

During their time on campus, the educators observed students engaged in purposeful academic and real‑world work and remained through lunch to allow for dialogue with both faculty and students. These conversations offered valuable opportunities to exchange ideas about adolescent development, program design, and the practical application of Montessori philosophy in diverse cultural contexts.

Among the visiting educators was Mirka (Miroslava) Vlčková, an internationally engaged Montessori guide and education advocate with a strong global presence. She is the founder of Montessori Schools Andílek, a Czech Montessori program serving children from 15 months to 15 years, as well as the Montessori Institute Prague, an AMI training center. Through her work and social media outreach, Vlčková regularly shares Montessori practice and philosophy with an international audience, offering insight into innovative learning environments around the world.

As part of the visit, the group met with one of Hershey’s adolescent program founders, Laurie Ewert Krocker, who is an internationally recognized Montessori trainer and educational leader. Their time with Laurie provided a deeper forum for discussion about adolescent education, leadership, and the future of Montessori programs globally.

Hershey Montessori has long attracted educators from around the world who are eager to study its farm‑based adolescent programs and its emphasis on independence, responsibility, and meaningful work. This recent visit continues that tradition, reinforcing the school’s role as a hub for international collaboration, professional learning, and educational innovation.

The school community is grateful for these global connections and the shared commitment to advancing Montessori education worldwide.

For more information about Hershey Montessori School, call 440-357-0918 or email info@hershey-montessori.org.