Hershey News
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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.
Learning That Connects Generations
Wildwood Garden Club Visits Hershey Montessori School
On a misty March afternoon, Hershey Montessori Middle School students welcomed members of the Wildwood Garden Club of Mentor to their Huntsburg campus for a hands‑on, student‑led exploration of one of our most meaningful adolescent programs: maple syrup production. What unfolded was far more than a tour—it was a powerful example of intergenerational learning, authentic work, and Montessori education in action.
The visit began months earlier, when Emily Healy, a parent of a current Hershey Montessori student and a board member of the Wildwood Garden Club, reached out with an idea. Club members—many of whom are retired and longtime gardeners—were eager to visit a working maple syrup operation. Emily wondered if Hershey Montessori might be the right place for such an experience, especially one that could also benefit students.
That instinct proved exactly right.
Students as Teachers
Hershey Montessori adolescents in the Sugarbush Study and Work class stepped fully into leadership roles to prepare for the visit. Each student researched a specific part of the maple syrup process, becoming a “specialist” in everything from tree identification and tapping, to sap collection and evaporation, to product development and sales.
On the day of the tour, the adolescents guided their visitors through the entire process:
- How maple trees are selected and tapped
- How sap is collected and transported
- How it is boiled and transformed into syrup
- How finished products—such as maple syrup, maple candy, and maple sugar BBQ rub—are created and sold
Though the day was foggy and cool, the group adapted easily—moving between the sugarhouse and wooded areas, adjusting plans with flexibility and good humor.
What stood out most to visitors was that the experience was entirely student‑led.
“I guess some hadn’t heard that it was student led, and that was a pleasant surprise,” Emily later shared. “I received and overheard a lot of positive feedback. The students really impressed the group.”
Natalie Hudak, who oversees Hershey Montessori’s maple syrup programs and guided the students through the preparation process, reflected on the value of the experience: “I was so grateful that the students had an authentic presentation experience to prepare for. It is much different from just presenting to your peers.”
Preparing for a real audience beyond the classroom challenged students to deepen their understanding, collaborate with purpose, and communicate their knowledge with confidence. The experience mirrored the kind of meaningful, real‑world learning that Montessori adolescent programs are designed to provide.
Intergenerational Learning in Action
For Emily, the visit represented something even larger than maple syrup. As a board member focused on special projects, she is passionate about building bridges across generations through shared learning and care for the environment.
“So often, it is the differences between people on which we are encouraged to focus,” she reflected. “The difference between young people and seniors today is described as a ‘generational divide.’ It is important to me to help build bridges across the divides that create obstacles in understanding, respect, and growth.”
Watching adolescents confidently teach, explain, and engage with older adults revealed something powerful: qualities like curiosity, commitment, creativity, and care for the planet transcend age.
This is exactly what Montessori education aims to cultivate. When students take on real responsibility and meaningful work, they discover not only academic understanding, but also their own value and voice within a community.
Becoming Someone Who Knows What They Can Do
Experiences like this shape more than skills—they shape who students understand themselves to be. As adolescents prepared for and led the Wildwood Garden Club visit, they were not simply sharing knowledge; they were testing and confirming their identities as capable, thoughtful contributors.
Standing before adult visitors, students experienced a powerful shift. They saw themselves reflected not as learners completing an assignment, but as people whose understanding mattered. Answering questions, adapting explanations, and responding to the needs of their audience helped students internalize a new sense of confidence rooted in competence and trust.
Emily Healy noted that many visitors left surprised by what the students were able to do—but for the students themselves, the greater discovery was inward. Moments like these help adolescents recognize their own value, clarify their strengths, and understand that they have something meaningful to offer a community beyond their peers.
Experiences like this support a core developmental need of adolescence: forming a stable, confident sense of self. When students are entrusted with responsibility and supported through authentic experiences, confidence grows not through praise, but through lived understanding of their own capability.
Looking Ahead
A Tree Planted with Purpose
Celebrating Initiative, Learning, and Care at Concord
Each day at Hershey Montessori School, our children and adolescents show us what it looks like to take initiative, to care deeply, and to learn with purpose. There are countless moments like this across all levels—far more than we could ever fully capture. But every now and then, one unfolds in a way that invites pause and celebration.
Recently, that moment took root—quite literally—in Saren’s Early Elementary Community at our Concord campus.
Before Spring Break, a child shared a thoughtful idea: honoring Jane Goodall Day in celebration of Jane Goodall’s life and work. What began as a spark of curiosity quickly grew into a rich, child‑led project shaped by research, collaboration, and real‑world action.
The child, along with a friend, planned a first‑person research presentation as Jane Goodall, immersing themselves deeply in her story and contributions. But the learning didn’t stop there. Inspired by Jane Goodall’s commitment to conservation and care for living systems, the children decided to plant a tree on the playground in her honor.
What followed was a remarkable series of purposeful steps:
- Researching appropriate tree species
- Creating and conducting a class survey to choose the tree
- Meeting with our Head of School to determine a suitable planting location
- Making a phone call to a local nursery to purchase the tree
- Going on the trip to pick it up
- And finally, carefully planting it in the ground
Along the way, other children were inspired to join the project. New roles emerged naturally—David Greybeard, Jane Goodall’s close chimpanzee companion; Dr. Leakey, her first mentor; even the cameraman she would later marry. The project became a shared story, shaped by imagination, research, and collaboration.
On planting day, nearly the entire community gathered outdoors to help place a swamp white oak into the earth. The children affectionately named the tree “Sherman.” With hands in the soil and attention focused on the work before them, they experienced what Montessori education does best: learning made real, meaningful, and communal.
Moments like this remind us why Montessori education is so powerful. This was not an assignment handed down—it was an idea nurtured through curiosity, supported by adults, and carried forward by children who trusted their own capacity to act.
Whenever a tree is planted on our grounds with such intention and care, it is something for all of us to celebrate. We are grateful for the children who imagine what’s possible, the guides who make space for that vision, and the community that grows as a result.
Here is a glimpse of that day at Concord—roots laid down not only for a tree, but for a lifelong connection to learning, stewardship, and purpose.
Hershey Montessori Students Engage Community in Environmental Impact Book Study
Hershey Montessori adolescents explored hidden environmental impacts through research, life‑cycle analyses, and intergenerational book discussions inspired by Tatiana Schlossberg’s Inconspicuous Consumption.
Physics, Energy, and the Environment
Understanding Hidden Environmental Costs
As part of their academic focus—Physics, Energy, and the Environment—Hershey students read Tatiana Schlossberg’s Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don’t Know You Have, a text that uncovers the unseen environmental impacts behind everyday items and routines.
The book examines four major sectors:
- Technology
- Food
- Fashion
- Fuel
Through seminar discussions, students explored striking examples—such as how streaming a movie in New York can burn coal in Virginia, or how affordable cashmere purchased in Chicago can contribute to desertification in Mongolia. These insights helped lay the groundwork for their own research.
Student‑Led Life Cycle Analysis Projects
Investigating Products from Extraction to End‑of‑Life
Building on the book’s framework, each student selected a commonly used item and researched its entire life cycle. Their investigations included:
- Raw material extraction
- Energy use and manufacturing processes
- Transportation and global supply chains
- Consumption patterns
- End‑of‑life disposal or recycling
By connecting their findings to broader global systems, students gained a deeper understanding of how everyday choices influence environmental outcomes. The insight they gained was transformative. With expanded awareness of the impact of daily decisions, the students felt both empowered and impassioned.
Public Presentations at Chardon Library and Lake Erie College
Empowering Adolescents as Community Educators
The students were then ready to bring their knowledge to others. This work culminated in two public events in late January held at the Chardon Library and Lake Erie College, where students presented their research and facilitated community book discussions. Community members were encouraged to attend with or without prior reading, and many joined out of interest in environmental issues and the opportunity to learn from student leaders.
Both forums were engaging and impactful. Students shared that personal engagement during these events was a highlight of the experience. One adolescent reflected:
“I felt I could tailor my information more towards who I was talking to at that moment and what they were interested in instead of having to make it really general for the whole group. I had many good and eye‑opening conversations with people who brought more info from different generations and perspectives.”
Attendees also expressed deep appreciation for the students’ leadership and engagement. One participant remarked:
“They all were very comfortable stating their opinions in the book discussion. They were attuned to the presentations and showed that they cared. They asked thoughtful questions that showcased their levels of interest. I think we all really enjoyed their insight and appreciated their interest.”
Another community member reflected on the value of participating in both events:
“Both discussions were very informative. I enjoyed hearing what other people had to say about the book. The wider age range (since I went to both the college and library) gave me a broad spectrum of knowledge.”
These reflections highlight the rich, intergenerational learning environment created by this work and the students’ leadership. Attendees described the conversations as eye‑opening, relevant, and highly engaging. The adolescents’ ability to guide discussions, explain complex concepts, and connect the book’s themes to real‑world challenges demonstrated maturity, confidence, and a strong command of the material.
Praise From Lake Erie College
Cari Ritzenthaler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Lake Erie College, shared her enthusiasm:
“Their passion, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement were evident throughout both events. They did a fantastic job, and their posters were great. My college students really enjoyed the experience. Looking forward to collaborating again in the future!”
A Montessori Approach to Environmental Literacy
This project highlights Hershey Montessori School’s commitment to hands‑on, meaningful adolescent experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Through deep research, community participation, and leadership opportunities, students strengthened their:
- Critical thinking
- Environmental literacy
- Communication and facilitation skills
- Systems thinking
- Civic engagement
These experiences prepare adolescents to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to their communities and the wider world.
Thank you to the staff and students and community for your work and contribution to this life-changing project.
Contact us if you are interested in learning more about Hershey Montessori’s Middle and Upper School programs.
Photos from the Inconspicuous Consumption Book Reading Events
Hershey Students Talk with College Students About Their Research Findings
Student Engages Attendee Over the Life Cycle of an Owala
Project: The Life Cycle of an Owala, by Petra
Student Shares Research on Environmental Impact of Vaseline
Student Discusses Inconspicuous Consumption book with community member
Student Shares Environmental Impact of Milk
Student Details Environmental Impact of #2 Pencils
Student Describes Environmental Impact of Beer
Hershey Student Reviews the Life Cycle of an iPad with College Students
Community discussion at Chardon Library
Student Shares Her Research with Community Members
Hershey and Lake Erie College Students Connect Over Research
Huntsburg Campus Fundraises for Geauga Hunger Task Force, Providing Over 1,000 Meals
Students and staff exceed fundraising goal to fight food insecurity in Geauga County through a creative November challenge.
A Creative Fundraising Challenge
The fundraiser was part of a month-long campaign to raise awareness about hunger in the community. Some staff members added a fun twist by pledging not to shave during November and agreeing to a playful challenge. They agreed to subjecting themselves to a pie in the face if they lost a point contest. Points were earned through pennies and bills, while nickels, dimes, and quarters subtracted points—making the competition lively and engaging!
Impact Beyond the Classroom
“While a contest may name a winner, the real victory is found in supporting the dignity and well-being of those who will receive meals,” said Diana Le Sieur, Interim Head of School and Admissions Director.
Every dollar raised provides two meals to the more than 10,000 people in Geauga County who face food insecurity.
Last week, students and staff proudly handed a check for $608 to Sue Juhasz, Director of the Geauga Hunger Task Force. “This far exceeded our $300 goal,” said the Huntsburg team. “We are thrilled to make a difference and grateful to everyone who contributed.”
Remembering Michael Bagiackas: A Foundational Guide for Hershey Montessori
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Michael Bagiackas. Michael was not only a beloved Montessori guide but also Hershey Montessori’s first principal, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for our school.
From 1983 to 1995, Michael served as Teaching Principal, guiding students and families with wisdom, warmth, and an unwavering commitment to Montessori principles. He taught early and upper elementary, inspiring countless children while also leading the way in expanding our programs. Under his leadership, the school bought land and built the first phase of the Concord campus. The program by then had grown beyond its early beginnings by adding birth-to-three programs and the elementary classrooms that continue to thrive today.
Michael’s influence extended far beyond the classroom. He was a mentor to parents and educators alike, encouraging many to deepen their understanding of Montessori education. His passion for learning and his gentle, thoughtful approach left an indelible mark on our community.
Debbie Guren, Hershey board member, philanthropist, and long-time supporter, recalls:
“Michael taught all three of my children. He was a phenomenal guide who inspired me to learn more about Montessori. He helped grow our little school by adding elementary and birth-to-three programs. In 2013, I ran into him at the Montessori Congress in Portland, and it was like no time had passed—his warmth and passion for Montessori were as strong as ever.”
Others remember Michael’s quiet humor and his ability to make every child feel seen. He had a gift for turning everyday moments into lessons of independence and wonder. Alumni often share stories of Michael sitting cross-legged on the floor, listening intently to a child’s discovery, or guiding a group through a hands-on science experiment with contagious enthusiasm.
Michael’s leadership was visionary. At a time when Montessori education was still finding its footing in Northeast Ohio, he championed growth with courage and creativity. Under his guidance, Hershey Montessori expanded beyond its early beginnings, laying the foundation for the thriving community we know today.
Michael is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kaemaple Cotter; his children Maya May Holmes (and husband Brian), Ananda (and partner Jonathan DeVilbiss), and Emrys; his grandson Dylan Haviland; his siblings Claudia, Jean, Kat, and Thomas; and several generations of extended family.
Michael’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those he taught and the programs he helped build. We invite alumni and friends to share their memories and reflections. Your stories will help us honor Michael’s life and celebrate the enduring impact of his work.
A gathering of remembrance will be held at the Plainfield Opera House in Plainfield, Vermont, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at noon. All are welcome. More information can be found here.
Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation: Hershey Montessori Huntsburg Campus Marks Milestone Anniversary
HUNTSBURG, OH — Nestled among the wooded acres of Geauga County, Hershey Montessori School’s Huntsburg Campus is celebrating a remarkable milestone: 25 years of pioneering adolescent education rooted in the Montessori philosophy. Since its founding in 2000, the campus has grown into a globally recognized model for experiential learning, sustainability, and community-minded, project-based education.
A Vision Realized
The Huntsburg Campus was the first in the world to fully implement Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision for adolescent education. Built on 97 acres of farmland and forest, the campus integrates academics with purposeful work, including farming, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Students aged 12 to 18 live and learn in a setting designed to foster independence, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.
“Twenty-five years ago, we planted a seed—an idea that adolescents could thrive in a place rooted in trust, purpose, and connection to the earth,” said Debra Hershey Guren, HMS board emeritus, major donor, alumni parent, and current grandparent. “Watching that vision grow into a vibrant, global community has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. Hershey’s Huntsburg Campus is more than a school—it’s a living expression of Montessori’s cosmic vision, where young people are truly seen, challenged, and inspired.”
From Seed to Legacy
What began as a bold experiment has flourished into a living community of growth and connection. For more than a quarter of a century, the Huntsburg Campus has welcomed adolescents from around the world, each bringing unique cultures, perspectives, and gifts.
“I still remember when I first visited the Huntsburg Campus. I saw students joyfully working in the garden—so confident, so connected. It was clear this was more than a school. For 25 years, Hershey has honored the adolescent journey with purpose, trust, and deep respect. Watching young people grow into themselves here has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said John Buzzard, Huntsburg Campus Director.
The intentional design of Hershey Montessori’s academic and social programs, open the door for students to engage in purposeful work that nurtures independence, responsibility, and care for others.
The Production & Exchange program is one example—an opportunity for adolescents to experience meaningful work and economic literacy through real-world practice. This essential program, and many others, have been supported and sustained through the generosity of a number of donors, among them The Hershey Foundation, the Rig III Foundation, The Dekko Foundation, and the Jerome T. Osborne and Georgeanne S. Osborne Charitable Trust.
Looking Ahead
With its foundation firmly rooted in Montessori principles and its gaze set on the future, Hershey Montessori’s Huntsburg Campus continues to evolve.
“As we celebrate 25 years of the Huntsburg Campus, we honor not just a milestone, but a movement—one that has redefined what adolescent education can be. This campus began as a bold vision rooted in Montessori’s Erdkinder principles, and today it stands as a living, breathing example of what happens when young people are trusted to lead, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their world,” said Diana LeSieur, Interim Head of School and Director of Admissions. “Looking ahead, our commitment is stronger than ever—to deepen our impact, expand access, and continue evolving with the needs of our students and the world they will inherit. The next 25 years hold extraordinary promise, and we are ready to meet them with purpose, passion, and possibility.”
For more about the Huntsburg Campus and its programs, visit the Hershey Montessori School website.
Keeping Up Newsletter – Fall 2025
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Hershey Receives $150k from The Dekko Foundation
Concord & Huntsburg, Ohio — Hershey Montessori School is honored to announce receipt of the second and final payment of $150,000 from The Dekko Foundation for the two-year grant award of $300,000 entitled, “Rebuilding Capacity for Sustainability.”
This capacity-building investment strengthens Hershey Montessori’s enrollment and retention efforts, placing the school on a new upward trajectory toward long-term financial sustainability. With these funds, Hershey will expand its marketing plan, deepen domestic and international engagement, and implement campus-based retention strategies.
“Our mission is to provide beautiful Montessori environments, where learning and work are integrated within a community experience engaging the intellectual, moral, and social development of children and adolescents from birth to eighteen years,” said Interim Head of School Diana Le Sieur. “We are deeply grateful for The Dekko Foundation’s partnership in this mission.”
Through this investment, Hershey Montessori School will continue to guide children and adolescents in developing a strong sense of self, equipping them to thrive in changing times, and preparing them to contribute to the world as stewards of peace and humanity.
Hershey Montessori School, with campuses in Concord and Huntsburg, Ohio, serves children from birth through age 18. As an internationally recognized Montessori school, Hershey is a model for best practices and a hub for Montessori teacher training.
Hershey Receives Ohio Arts Council ArtsSTART Grant
Hershey Montessori School is deeply grateful to the Ohio Arts Council for the generous $3,642 ArtsSTART grant for the 2024–2025 school year.
This support enriched our arts program across both campuses, providing materials and resources that fostered creativity, self-expression, and cultural awareness from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The grant allowed professional teaching artists to collaborate with classroom guides, integrating visual arts, music, and performance into academic subjects and daily learning. Students applied these artistic experiences in class projects, performances, and exhibitions, sharing their work with peers, families, and the wider community.
This holistic, hands-on approach reflects the Montessori philosophy of nurturing the whole child and developing creativity, confidence, and critical thinking for life.