ALUMNI PROFILE
Andrew McRady ’86 carries on the Webb tradition ...IN THAILAND By Sandi Jobe
Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
“D
o I hear bagpipes in the Big Room?” Visitors to The Webb School 25 years ago might have asked this question if Andrew McRady was around. He still plays the bagpipes at school when he has the chance; only now his school is on the opposite side of the globe from Bell Buckle, Tenn. And he is no longer a student. Now, he helps run the school.
McRady went on to complete his Master of Education degree at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. For the past 10 years, he has been assistant principal and social science teacher at Nakorn Payap International School (NIS) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. “The foundation of my educational philosophy was laid at The Webb School,” said McRady. “As a student at Webb, I learned the importance of a strong sense of honor and responsibility. I also learned the value of internationalism and the importance of work. Hanging in the chapel are the flags of all the countries represented at the school; it looks like a miniature United Nations. I came to value the insights from the international students and faculty, and developed a keen interest in the outside world.”
The Webb School Magazine
The mission statement at NIS is “Learning Through Diversity,” and the philosophy of the school incorporates developing students’ concern for others, encouraging open-mindedness and trust, and instilling a personal sense of dignity. Thirty nationalities Since his days as a youth in Bell Buckle, McRady had traveled around the world are represented among the 350 pre-K through 12th grade students and Andrew McRady grew up in Bell Buckle, their families at NIS, which reinforces the Tenn., started playing the bagpipes at the importance of living meaningfully and age of 17, and graduated from Webb as a effectively in a larger world member of the ancient guard in 1986. society.
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Learning, labor, service, and diversity
After Webb, young McRady spent a year at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, one of the oldest universities in the Englishspeaking world. He went on to graduate from Berea College in Kentucky, where he met his wife Julie, a teacher who shares his passion for international education.
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Learning is a way of life
Like Webb alumni from all generations, McRady was influenced by the examples set by his Webb teachers. “In my role as teacher and administrator, I try to model
myself after L.R. Smith,” McRady said. “His sense of duty, justice, compassion – they all roll into who he is. He is an outstanding teacher and administrator.” Other iconic Webb legends who have strongly influenced McRady are Mr. Imre Lagler and Mr. Jack Hefner. “Mr. Lagler is always with me; everywhere I go, every day.” McRady said. “I spent five years with him. Two things he always insisted on, one: having a red pen, and today I always carry one. Two: keeping a handkerchief. I can still hear him saying ‘I don’t want to hear your snot! You get a lash!’
Finding common ground
Living, working, and raising a daughter and a son in Asia makes for quite a different lifestyle than McRady grew up with in the rural southern U.S. But his family’s presence at NIS is very important to the education the students receive. “International schools like mine are important in the same way that Webb is important,” he explained. “The international students at Webb will come back to their countries and be the leaders. Economics, politics, business, medicine – they are the future leaders. Those are the same kids we’re educating at international schools. “They will be the bridges that will connect our global community.”
“When you come to the end, you will find that the only things that are worthwhile are character and the help you’ve given to other people.” ~ Sawney Webb
6/9/2011 12:16:12 PM