József Balázs Fejes, PhD
During the first year of my doctoral studies, I helped organize the Student Mentoring Program, which supported students impacted by desegregation measures in Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely. Along with a dedicated professional community that formed around this initiative, we founded Motivation Educational Association in 2012, where I have served as president ever since. My work is closely tied to advancing Hungarian education. As an associate professor at the Institute of Education at the University of Szeged, I teach in teacher training programs and lead the Reading and Motivation Research Group, a collaboration between the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the University of Szeged. My research focuses on learning motivation, reading comprehension, and educational equity. At Motivation Collective, I am inspired by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful social projects while continually learning and witnessing the growth of both students and colleagues.
Bársony Bakos
I joined the after-school program in Balástya in 2023 as a volunteer mentor. As a university student majoring in English and drama education, this opportunity allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience with children alongside my theory-based training. Through my work at the after-school program, I’ve also had the chance to take part in international projects—for example, I accompanied some of my mentees on a youth exchange program in Italy and on a train journey across Europe. Since 2025, I’ve been working as the teacher for the youngest group at the after-school program in Szeged. What I love most about the program is that during the sessions, I too get to rediscover the carefree joy of play. I also feel incredibly lucky to be part of a community that offers so much support and opportunities for growth.
Anna Bozóki
I earned my BA in History at the University of Szeged, then continued with a teacher training program in History and Hungarian. It was during this time that I joined Motivation Collective as a volunteer mentor—working directly with children at the after-school program gave me a practical experience that my teacher training program didn’t offer at the time. In 2021, I became a staff member and started mentoring the high school group at the after-school program in Szeged. I also completed a BA in Romology at the University of Pécs. Currently, I lead the after-school program in Balástya and mentor the Gummy Bear Squad of 5th and 6th graders. I’m also pursuing a PhD in Modern Hungarian Literature at the Doctoral School of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Szeged.
Noémi Erdődi
I joined Motivation Collective in 2013 as a teacher trainee eager to gain hands-on experience working with children. Over the years, I have contributed to the Student Mentoring Program, the Scholarship Program, and the After-School Program of Tiszasziget. In 2017, I played a key role in launching and building our after-school program in Balástya, where I later became the professional lead. I am still actively involved there, mentoring the youngest group of students, known as the Bunny Team, and coordinating the Student Council. I am also a member of the climate education working group and was responsible for transforming the courtyard in Balástya using permaculture principles, as well as for piloting a school greening program. As a trainer, I conduct workshops on board game pedagogy, and as a developer, I oversee the creation and testing of the association’s educational games. I also coordinate international projects. Being part of a supportive community where I can engage in such diverse and creative work is something I deeply cherish.
Csenge Halász
I am a student at the University of Szeged, training to become an English and Italian teacher. I am also a member of the Reading and Motivation Research Group (a collaboration between the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the University of Szeged). I first joined the Motivation Collective team in the spring of 2022 as a volunteer at the after-school program in Szeged, later taking on an internship where I mentored children from disadvantaged Roma families who had fled Ukraine. In 2024, I became a staff member and now work as a project coordinator for the Strengthening of Tanodas Against Inequality and Discrimination project. My responsibilities include organizing and managing professional events for TanodaPlatform and fostering the network of after-school programs. What excites me most about my work is tackling new challenges every day and finding creative solutions as part of a team.
Anna Horváth
I joined the Motivation Collective team in 2021 as a volunteer mentor because I wanted to work with children and young people. After completing a master’s degree in mental health community and relationship building, I became an after-school teacher at Motivation After-School Program of Balástya. As a debate club leader, I regularly host sessions to develop debating and communication skills. I also manage relationships with schools and social institutions and coordinate family and community day events. As a facilitator, I lead monthly professional self-knowledge workshops for our volunteers involved in educational activities. I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in international projects, including youth exchange programs and an international board game development initiative. What I love most about my work is its variety and creativity, all within a supportive and close-knit community. I value the chance to apply my mental health perspective both in my work with children and within the organization.
Zsanett Kaiser
I’m currently a first-year PhD student at the Doctoral School of Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Szeged. I had been following the work of Motivation Collective for years, and in 2024 I finally joined the team as an intern in community network-building, book rescue, and program coordination. My research focuses specifically on children’s literature, so I’m especially happy to contribute to the organization by organizing cultural events. As a book rescuer, I also help ensure that every donated book finds a new home through various campaigns.
Valéria Kelemen
I am one of the founders of Motivation Educational Association and the TanodaPlatform network. For several years, I coordinated the Student Mentoring Program, led Motivation After-School Program of Szeged, and served as the professional lead for the organization’s educational initiatives. In 2021, I launched our climate education program within our after-school programs. Currently, I coordinate Motivation Collective’s climate education and sustainability initiatives. I find it fascinating to integrate permaculture into educational initiatives, especially when involving children in the planning process. I am grateful to be part of an amazing team where I can engage in creative and socially meaningful work.
Bálint Kicsi
I joined the Motivation Collective team as a volunteer in 2017. As a student at the University of Szeged, studying to become an art and history teacher, I felt it was important to gain as much experience as possible working with children, and the opportunity to volunteer was very appealing to me. Since 2018, I have been involved in the life of the association’s after-school programs —first as a mentor and group leader in Balástya until the summer of 2024, and then in Szeged. As a member of the working group on motivation-based mathematics education, I am primarily responsible for design elements. I also coordinate the CoolSchool project, part of the HUSRB Interreg program, where we collaborate with colleagues in Vojvodina to share our experiences from the after-school programs. Working with children brings me great joy, and I find the variety in my work and the opportunity to explore new areas truly motivating.
Magdi Kócsó
I graduated in 2018 from the University of Szeged with a degree in special education, focusing on pedagogy for children with learning and intellectual disabilities. In the fall of 2019, I joined Motivation After-School Program of Szeged, where I spent three years volunteering as a mentor, supporting an amazing group of students. In 2022, I continued my mentoring role as a staff member, and since 2025, I have also been working at Motivation After-School Program of Balástya. I’m a member of the climate education working group, participated in a school greening program, and regularly lead workshops on urban heat island effects. For me, Motivation Collective is not just a workplace but an inspiring community where the variety of work and shared values continually motivate me.
Balázs Makádi
I’ve been working with Motivation Collective since 2013, and since 2023 I’ve been serving as the vice-president. I hold degrees in History and Social Studies Education. Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of roles—starting in education, where I mentored children, then moving into project management, leading numerous nationally and internationally funded projects. I’ve also worked as an Operations Manager, responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organization. What I enjoy most about my work is being part of complex programs that aim to make society better.
Szilvia Mádi
I earned my MA in Human Resource Consulting from Szent István University and spent several years working in the corporate sector, specializing in marketing and event planning. I joined Motivation Collective as a volunteer mentor in 2017, then continued as a full-time after-school teacher from 2019. Since 2022, I have been managing the Collective’s Hub and supporting the organization’s operations while leading youth, community engagement, and equal opportunity projects. Starting in 2025, my main focus will be coordinating and managing communications for the Communities for Local Democracy project, implemented in partnership with the organizations of the Aspect Group to strengthen civil society. I am grateful to be part of a close-knit and inspiring community at Motivation Collective, working on initiatives that are not only engaging but also socially meaningful.
Uszáma Mutier
I graduated from the University of Szeged as a teacher of biology and mathematics. During my studies, I joined the Student Mentoring Program as a volunteer in 2017, and a year later, I became a mentor teacher at Motivation After-School Program of Szeged. In 2022, I took over as the head of the program, and since 2024, I’ve been leading the after-school programs in Szeged and Balástya as the head of operations. I also lead the motivation-based mathematics education working group, focusing on developing this methodology. I have deepened my expertise in motivation-based reading comprehension development, and conduct training sessions on the topic. What I love most about my work is witnessing continuous growth—not only in myself but also in my colleagues and the children we work with.
Dóra Mutier-Szabó
I graduated in 2018 with a degree in Social Pedagogy from the University of Szeged and worked for over four years in the social sector as a family support worker. During that time, I also began studying a new field, and I’m currently completing my degree in Finance and Accounting at the Budapest University of Economics and Business. I joined Motivation Collective in 2024 as a volunteer community organizer. Even then, I tried to apply what I was learning in my studies, and from the beginning I helped with some of the organization’s financial tasks. Since 2025, I’ve been working as a staff member at Motivation Collective, supporting the operations of the after-school programs in administrative and financial matters.
Dorka Nagy
As a student of English and drama teaching at the University of Szeged, I joined the Motivation Collective team as a volunteer at the after-school program in Szeged in the fall of 2023. As a future teacher, I saw this role as an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience. Since summer 2024, I have been working as an after-school teacher. In addition to leading group sessions, I work one-on-one with several children during individual learning activities and coordinate the operations of the Student Council. Since the after-school program became part of my life and I’ve gotten to know so many amazing children, I’ve felt a much deeper sense of motivation in every area of my life.
Vivien Katalin Nagy
I first encountered Motivation Collective during my social work studies at college when they introduced their board game called System Error. Their work immediately caught my interest, and after subsequent encounters, I decided to apply as a volunteer. That was in 2016, and I’ve been involved with Motivation Collective ever since. Of my many responsibilities, working with children is the most important to me. Currently, I lead the Alpha Pandas group, made up of upper primary and high school students, at the after-school program in Balástya. In addition, I document the after-school programs, organize snacks for children, manage supplies, and oversee the upkeep of our buildings. I love seeing the children grow and develop, enjoy the variety in my work, and deeply value being part of a supportive team that helps navigate challenging situations.
Tímea Parti
I joined Motivation Collective in the fall of 2020. As a social work BSc student at the University of Szeged, I completed my practical semester here. After earning my degree, I continued working as an after-school teacher, and I’m currently the program coordinator and volunteer coordinator at Motivation After-School Program of Szeged. Alongside my work, I am pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) to expand my professional knowledge. What truly inspires me in my work is seeing young people participate in projects that showcase their talents and create lifelong memories.
Viktória Sóczó
I’m currently a master’s student in Ethnography at the University of Szeged. Since 2022, I’ve been conducting research on environmental awareness. In 2024, I joined Motivation Collective as a climate education intern. I run climate-focused sessions for after-school program groups and also help organize workshops that address urban heat island effects. It’s important to me that younger generations become more familiar with their natural environment and the global challenges our world is facing. I’m happy that my work at Motivation Collective is also my calling.
Hanna Szalay
I joined Motivation Collective as a volunteer in 2020 and completed part of my professional practice at the after-school program in Szeged. I graduated with a degree in special education in 2022, and that same year, I became a staff member. I now work as an after-school teacher in Szeged. Currently, I coordinate the Szitakötő (Dragonfly) project, which is part of our reading comprehension development program, and assist with workshops on reading comprehension methods. I am also a member of the climate education working group and the motivation-based mathematics education working group. What excites me about my work is the opportunity to work in such a supportive professional environment.
Norbert Szűcs, PhD
A Motiváció Műhely fejlődésének a kezdetektől alakítója vagyok: a Hallgatói Mentorprogramnak és a TanodaPlatformnak egyik alapítója, a Motiváció Oktatási Egyesületnek az alapítás óta alelnöke vagyok. Elsősorban a szervezeti stratégia kialakításáért és megvalósításáért felelek, így HR-rel, pályázatokkal, pénzügyekkel, közösségfejlesztéssel egyaránt foglalkozom. Egyik szervezője vagyok a TanodaPlatform szakmai programjának és érdekérvényesítő tevékenységének. Szakértőként, kutatóként elsősorban az alábbi területekkel foglalkozom: társadalmi integráció, antiszegregáció, méltányos oktatás, civil társadalom fejlesztése.
Andrea Varga
I hold an MA in English language and literature and pedagogy, with a qualification in teaching from the University of Szeged, as well as a degree in translation and interpreting in social sciences and economics. I worked in the translation industry for over 14 years. I’ve been a member of Motivation Educational Association since its founding, but I began actively contributing to the team’s work in September 2024, focusing primarily on cultivating our supporter network. The organization’s mission—upholding the values of solidarity, sustainability, and justice—aligns perfectly with my principles, and I am excited to help spread this message to a wider audience. What motivates me most is the constant challenge and the opportunity to learn and grow.
