For Olivia Kurtz, education has always been a passion, but the path to her career wasn't always clear. Growing up in the suburbs of Long Island, New York, she was aware of the differences between her hometown and Philadelphia, but she was excited for a change and eager for a fresh start.  

"I never expected that moving to Philadelphia would help with picking my major and ignite my passion for urban education," Kurtz said. "Temple was the only city school that I had applied to."  

Kurtz joined Temple University in 2021 as an undecided student, unsure of what she wanted to study or the career she wanted to purse. Like many first-year students, Kurtz spent time exploring different fields before declaring a major. It wasn't until her sophomore year, after meeting with an academic advisor from the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) that she discovered the human development and community (HDCE) program.  

"I didn't know I wanted to be a teacher at first," Kurtz shared. Initially, drawn to the idea of becoming a high school counselor, she took several HDCE courses and gained hands-on experience through internships and jobs. These experiences helped her realize that teaching would be a valuable step towards her long-term goals. 

"All the jobs that I had growing up that I really enjoyed were working with kids. This program was a perfect fit for me as it catered to my desire to work with students outside of a traditional classroom setting," Kurtz said.  

Despite many people in Kurtz's life helping her along the way, Kurtz credits her CEHD professors for helping shape her educational experience. "All of my professors have been incredibly understanding and genuinely care about their students," she shared. 

One course that stood out to her was Families and the Community, taught by Associate Professor of Instruction Lori Shorr. "She brought real-world policy experience into the classroom, making the content both engaging and relevant." Kurtz shared, emphasizing that this class helped her prepare to work in urban spaces and learn how to best serve these communities. prepare to work in urban spaces and learn how to best serve these communities. 

"So many of my classes at Temple have strengthened my love for the city," she added. "I can't wait to give back to the community that has shaped me." 

The HDCE program has provided Kurtz with an abundance of hands-on opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. "I've been able to get a lot of internships because my professors have shared job openings I wouldn't have known about otherwise," she said. These experiences have deepened her understanding of education and commitment to community engagement. 

Kurtz's passion for urban education strengthened after she securing a position through the School District of Philadelphia's Office of Research, an opportunity she learned about through her Professor, Lori Shorr. As part of her work, she visited 20 different high schools, including Central, Martin Luther King and Simon Gratz, conducting surveys and gaining insight regarding the challenges facing urban schools. 

"Visiting schools from various parts of the city helped me see how education can differ so greatly depending on location," Kurtz said. "Working in the Philadelphia area helped me gain a better understanding of the community I live in and fueled my passion for making a difference in urban education." 

Kurtz is committed to supporting her students inside and outside of the classroom. She serves as a pre-college mentor and tutor for high school students in Temple's Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science, a federally funded college access program designed to provide first-generation, low-income and at-risk students the supports needed to successfully pursue a college degree.  

Her experience tutoring high school students in Upward Bound solidified her decision to become a teacher. She ultimately chose math as her subject because she felt most confident helping students learn in that area. 

Kurtz is also a campus ambassador for Teach for America (TFA), where she has learned about educational inequality and the importance of passionate educators. TFA partners with several public and charters school in Philadelphia. She plans to gain classroom experience before pursuing a master's degree in school counseling.  

"Teach for America will support me along the way," Kurtz explained. "They provide various stipends for teaching certifications, student loan repayments and relocation. After completing my two years of service, TFA will also offer support in applying for graduate programs and accessing scholarships to further my education." 

In addition to her academic and professional commitments, Kurtz has built a meaningful relationship with the community at Paul L. Dunbar School, where she serves as a mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. "Big Brothers Big Sisters holds me accountable," Kurtz shared. "I know my student is expecting me to show up for her, and it's shown me how much of a difference being a positive role model and offering consistency can have on a student."  

On campus, Kurtz is the president of the Human Development and Community Engagement Association (HDCEA). In this position, she is dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for students in the program. Kurtz works closely with peers and faculty to ensure the organization remains a valuable resource for students, providing opportunities for networking, professional development and community involvement. 

"I've been working on the restructuring of our programs to better meet the members' needs. It has been an exciting challenge," Kurtz explained, "I've learned how to spark my peers' interest in HDCEA. I take pride in continuously updating and improving the program to ensure that it best serves students." 

As Kurtz looks ahead to graduation in May 2025, she is excited to continue making a difference in the lives of students.  

"Temple has given me the tools to work with diverse communities and engage families in meaningful ways," she said. "I feel prepared to step into the classroom and, eventually, into a school counseling role." 

Kurtz further added, "I want to inspire my students, the staff and the families that I end up working with in the future, assisting them in achieving anything that they put their mind to."