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Joseph Nagy, Ed.D. awarded the
2024 Paul G. Orr Award
Joseph Nagy, Ed.D., Colegio Bolívar Director, was selected this year by the Tri-Association as the recipient of the 2024 Paul G. Orr Award. This distinction has been awarded since 1987 to educational leaders who have made outstanding contributions to education in the region.
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"The Tri-Association Board of Directors unanimously decided to present the award to Dr. Joseph Nagy, considering his career in education and his contributions to the local communities of Colombia."
"Joe is someone who truly cares about the students, the staff at the school, and the community as a whole. He has been at Colegio Bolívar for 27 years. A person doesn’t stay at an institution for that long unless they truly care about, love, and are committed to the community beyond the job. Joe has demonstrated a true vocation."
Michael W. Adams, Ed.D.
Executive Director Tri-Association
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Michael W. Adams, Ed.D. speech during the award ceremony | |
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The award was officially presented during the opening ceremony of the Annual Educators Conference organized by "The Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia-Caribbean, and Mexico (Tri-Association)." The event will be held in Mexico City on September 26th. The Tri-Association is a non-profit organization made up of 85 accredited, independent, private educational institutions that offer American-style education and are in Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean. Its mission is to foster support among educational communities to transform learning.
The award is named after Dr. Paul G. Orr, Dean Emeritus of the School of Education at the University of Alabama, a leader in international education, and a mentor of educational leaders. Throughout his remarkable career, which spans four decades, Dr. Orr was one of the most articulate and reasoned voices within U.S.-sponsored international schools. He left an indelible mark on the teachers, administrators, and boards of directors who worked with and for him through his writings, teachings, research, and conferences. He helped shape the educational institutions that exist abroad today and is widely regarded as the foremost authority in the field.
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Dr. Joseph Nagy is a professional with extensive experience in education and pedagogy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He also earned a Master of Education from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Sarasota, Florida. Additionally, he has gained considerable experience at several prestigious schools in Colombia. Since 2003, he has served as Director at Colegio Bolívar, where he has implemented strategies aimed at the continuous improvement of an institution that is considered one of the best in the region and the country. | |
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"All school heads have faced challenges in our work in Colombia, especially during the early and late 1990s. Many left the country because we had to deal with so many issues. However, I stayed in Colombia because of a sense of duty and the quality of the relationships I’ve had with people at each school where I’ve worked.
I’ve been in Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bogotá, and Cali in different positions: as a teacher, principal of Elementary and High School, and as Head of School. There are still challenges and improvements to be made, and I still find joy in what I do every day." said Dr. Nagy.
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Promoting teacher training, optimizing space in each area, and encouraging research through "provocations" are some of Dr. Nagy's most notable contributions. He is also known for dressing up as fun characters to instill a sense of belonging and holistic education in his students. | |
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"At Colegio Bolívar, we are an institution that promotes democratic principles, and we aim to draw the best expertise from both Colombian and American cultures to foster global citizenship and values, but not to impose one over the other," he emphasized. Regarding the award, Dr. Nagy said, "I receive it as recognition of the effort, knowing that there are always shortcuts or easier paths. I appreciate it, but I don’t do things for the recognition," he reflected. | | | |
On the reason he entered the field of pedagogy, Dr. Nagy recalled “my parents’ example led me to education. My mother worked in educational services for many years, while my father was a long-term volunteer coach in a highly successful youth american football program. Their dedication to local youth leagues (american football, baseball, swimming) was inspirational and life changing for me. By the time I was 25 I had already finished my Master’s degree, and was ready to take on the world, I was offered the opportunity to work in Colombia, but I never intended to become a school director. I just loved education and working with children; I always found joy in it." |
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