Building Bridges in Education: Hungarian Educators Learn from Independence Elementary

What began as one family’s leap into a new life in Colorado has grown into a meaningful international exchange of ideas in education. Independence Elementary School recently welcomed eight educators from Budapest, Hungary, an opportunity inspired by a Hungarian family whose children enrolled in the Cherry Creek School District two years ago.

The visit marked the first time a delegation from the Ludovika University of Public Service traveled to Colorado. The group included three teachers, two principals, and three university leaders who spent a full week immersed in daily school life at Independence Elementary School. They observed classrooms, met with staff, and participated in learning sessions focused on practices such as Connection Circles, Family Connection Meetings, and student recognition programs. Their goal was to understand how Independence fosters a strong, student-centered culture and take those ideas back to Hungary.

At the heart of this connection is the Christian family. Father Laszlo Christian, a guest professor of criminal justice at MSU Denver, relocated his family in 2024 through a Fulbright Scholarship. His three children, Aron, Szonja, and Anna, quickly became part of the Cherry Creek Schools community.

Experiencing the U.S. education system firsthand, Christian saw a striking difference in how students learn and grow. That realization sparked an idea to invite fellow Hungarian educators to see it for themselves.

“We realized how children were the focus,” said Laszlo Eich, Director of the Public School Management Center at Ludovika University. “In Hungary, there needs to be some changes. We want to bring new perspectives, and this visit helped show new pathways.”

The delegation noted clear contrasts between the two systems. “In Hungary, education is more focused on memorization and content with a lot of homework,” Christian explained. “Here, they focus on social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.” 

He summed it up simply: “Are students happy, and are they motivated to explore the world around them? Here, the answer is yes.”

Teachers at Independence say that a sense of engagement starts with relationships. First-grade teacher Lauren Maloney emphasizes building connections with families from the very beginning. Learning about their spoken languages at home, their strengths as a family, their hobbies, and backgrounds. Fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Crawford highlighted the importance of ongoing communication and shared goal-setting with parents.

For the Christian family, the move has been transformative. Over two years, they explored 26 states, visited 14 ski resorts, and embraced a new culture, but the most meaningful impact has been on their children.

Szonja Christian who was nervous when she arrived at age 11, but quickly found support and belonging. Through activities like lunch bunch with her teacher, learning to crochet, and joining school clubs, she built lasting friendships.

“When I read in English for the first time, everyone clapped,” she said. “That changed everything.”

Her mother, Zsofia, said early connections with teachers helped the family feel like part of a team. They describe a culture of encouragement that strengthened their sense of belonging. 

“You can just be who you are,” Szonja added.

The visiting educators plan to take home ideas both big and small, practical changes from classroom tools like interactive boards to simple relationship-building strategies, such as using photo cards to help teachers and students learn each other’s names.

“It was a tough decision to move, but it was the best one,” Christian said. “Our children gained confidence, learned to think critically, and became more open to the world.”

As the family prepares to return to Hungary in July, they leave behind more than memories. They leave a bridge between two educational systems, one built on shared learning and a commitment to helping students thrive. That connection has already come full circle. Ms. Crawford, Szonja’s fifth grade teacher, visited Hungary last summer. Szonja plans to stay in touch with her Colorado friends by writing letters.

“We have more similarities than differences,” Christian reflected. “And by learning from each other, we can make education better for everyone.”