Every educator’s journey starts with a story, often shaped by the schools, mentors and communities that make learning feel possible. For Howard Salvatore, a first-year secondary education-social studies major specializing in history at Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), that story began in South Philadelphia. 

Salvatore grew up in South Philadelphia and attended Southwark School before moving on to Constitution High School. “I’ve always been in culturally diverse schools, which really helped me navigate the education system,” he said. “Unlike schools that are predominantly white, I had the privilege of learning about different cultures early on, and that has impacted me a lot.” 

These experiences shaped his vision for inclusive classrooms where every student feels supported. Having extraordinary teachers fostered his deep respect for educators.  

“I had so many teachers who truly supported me,” he said. Two in particular influenced his path: his student government teacher, Michael Mander, and Jennifer Luneau, with whom he completed a teaching assistantship. They introduced him to lesson planning, designing activities and leading classroom discussions, and their guidance encouraged him to take advanced placement and dual-enrollment classes, including Temple University’s B4USoar program. 

Through that program, between 2022 and 2025, Salvatore took four classes at Temple University. “Being in college classes with other students really gave me a sense of being a Temple student,” he shared. Influenced by his teachers, many of whom were Temple alumni, he knew early on that he wanted to continue his education at Temple. 

A curriculum focused on history and law in high school deepened his interest in education. At Constitution High School, all students are required to complete a National History Day project, an assignment Salvatore fully embraced. He later served as a teaching assistant during his junior and senior years, supporting classmates with slideshows, worksheets, games and lessons. 

He says his proudest achievement was his senior-year National History Day documentary on Pauli Murray, a feminist and groundbreaking civil right activist who contributed to Brown v. Board of Education. “Working on this project strengthened my research skills and deepened my appreciation for the untold stories in history,” he said. His work earned first place in Pennsylvania and advanced to the national competition in Maryland, marking the school’s first statewide win since 2016. 

“Being an educator is about giving students a voice, especially those who lack confidence or opportunities at home,” he shared. “I want to uplift students, build on their strengths and support them in areas where they need growth.” Salvatore hopes to bring inclusive and lesser-known history into his future classrooms. “I’d like to integrate it into lessons naturally, rather than isolating it to specific months or topics.”  

Now at Temple, Salvatore values the close-knit environment in the CEHD. “Education attracts people passionate about teaching, and the smaller community allows me to form close connections with peers and advisors,” he said. “It’s a supportive environment that’s different from many other majors.” Classes such as “Socio-Cultural Understandings of the Education System” with Lindsay Metzker helped him examine how education systems impact minority groups and inspired his final project. 

Looking forward, Salvatore hopes to give back to the community and city that shaped him. 

“Philadelphia is a diverse city that challenges people to step out of their echo chambers. I want to provide students with opportunities to experience new perspectives and learn in a supportive environment,” he said. “I want to become the kind of teacher students turn to when facing personal challenges, academic struggles and all the things left in the margins. I want to understand their challenges, provide a strong support system and make learning engaging while ensuring every student feels valued.”  

Salvatore encourages other future educators to not listen to “discouraging voices” and shares “if you’re passionate about teaching, follow your heart and embrace the opportunity to be part of the change in education.”