CPA Upper School's Instructor of Journalism Heather Nagel has been selected as a National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Pioneer. The Pioneer is the highest award given to journalism educators. Pioneers are individuals who make substantial contributions to high school publications and journalism programs. Heather, along with six other educators from across the country, will be formally awarded and recognized at the National High School Journalism Convention on in Philadelphia this fall. 

“This year’s class is extraordinary,” Laura Widmer, executive director, said. “The years of commitment to high school publications spans 40-plus years. These Pioneers have committed themselves and their staffs to journalism excellence. We are honored to be able to recognize their contributions to scholastic journalism and give them this award.”

Heather Nagel, CJE, has advised the Lion’s Roar Yearbook at Christ Presbyterian Academy since 2004 and has served as the Tennessee State Director for Journalism Education Association since 2010. As well, Nagel has been a part of NSPA/JEA Conventions in Nashville, being the chair in 2020, future chair in 2025 and a committee member in 2004. At Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nagel is the chair for the Visual Media and Publication Center, part of the Academy's Institute for Cultural Engagement (TICE). Nagel has advised the Illumine literary magazine since 2022, and it has been a Pacemaker finalist, a CSPA Crown winner and recognized in NSPA’s Best of Show. 

In her nomination letter, Ann Akers said, “A talented writer/designer/photographer who is generous with her time, knowledge and passion, Heather Nagel creates unprecedented opportunities for her students and shares with staffs from coast to coast. She’s a respected  leader who worked hard to learn alongside her students in the early years and has made a difference by helping others do the same ever since. To me, that makes her a great candidate for NSPA’s Pioneer Award.”

Carrier Faust said, “On the scholastic journalism speaking circuit, I meet a lot of advisers and their kids each year. While each group is great in their own way, Heather Nagel and her kids from Christ Presbyterian Academy are extraordinary examples of everything that is so special about student media.

Many years ago, Heather and I first met in passing at various JEA conventions. While we didn’t know each other well back then, I was always so impressed by her absolute generosity of resources and spirit, and overwhelmed by the genuine kindness and dedication shown by her students. The thing is, there is no better calling card for an adviser than who her kids are. And Heather’s kids are one in a million.”

Nagel received the JEA Distinguished Adviser honor in 2019, the JEA Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser honor in 2012 and was Tennessee High School Press Association’s Bonnie Hufford Outstanding Adviser in 2012. She also received Journalism Education Association’s Medal of Merit in 2022. Since 2010, Heather has taught and consulted at yearbook camps from coast to coast, and she’s a presenter at national and state conventions. In addition, Nagel has critiqued publications for NSPA and CSPA since 2009 and has done on-site critiques at conventions since 2011. Nagel served on the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Com

Read more about Heather's award-winning instruction here.