Principal Dr. Patricia Kurtz was recently named the high school principal “Administrator of the Year” by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) for San Francisco County and San Mateo County. Kurtz was nominated and selected as Administrator of the Year for the principal of a secondary school for exemplifying key professional standards identified in the award process.
Kurtz was recognized out of the 300 schools in San Francisco and San Mateo counties.
One of the key feature of the process is that the awardee is identified, nominated, and selected by peers. “Having my peers, who I respect and enjoy working with daily, nominate me is a wonderful compliment,” says Kurtz. “I feel so fortunate to spend my days doing my life’s passion and work, and to be recognized for doing what I love is really an honor .”
Kurtz’s first job was as an interim social studies teacher in New York, followed by four years as a guidance counselor. Kurtz moved west and, once in California, she served as a consultant for the California Department of Education, working in the area of professional development. She then worked 10 years as a counselor for the San Mateo County Office of Education, after which she joined the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) as a Teacher on Special Assignment. She ultimately became the district’s Director of Curriculum, and in 2008 she became the principal of Aragon. Kurtz earned her doctorate from UC Berkeley in Educational Leadership and Policy Administration.
When Kurtz first became principal, she described that her main goals were to “lessen the achievement gap by creating a supportive community for students at all levels, not just the top and bottom of the academic scale, and [to] support teacher education to increase their ability to help students.” Kurtz says that she didn’t think any of those goals had changed. She says, “The high school years are not easy. As a parent, I have had two teenagers, and as we mature, I feel for teachers and every one of the students because of the pressure colleges are putting on our student population. So my goal is to make sure that students continue to have a place where they feel supported to be who they are, and not just the students, but also our teachers.”
“To be recognized by your peers is always the best,” she continues. “And besides, this is the best job I’ve ever had. It’s why I went into education.”
Assistant Principal Joe Mahood says, “Pat is a very passionate advocate for students. She is very aware of the needs to support the ‘whole’ student. She has encouraged faculty and staff to develop programs that engage all students so that they will feel a part of the community. Big Buddies, Flex Time and Lip Dub to name a few are examples of her inclusivity of all students and staff into the school culture.”
Dr. Kevin Skelly, Superintendent of the SMUHSD, adds, “Research consistently points to the outsized role principals play in the success of students in high school … The Aragon community is so fortunate to have a principal of Ms. Kurtz’s caliber leading the school, and the rest of us benefit from her wisdom, warmth, and collaborative spirit.”
On a more personal note, Kurtz enjoys a variety of activities outside of school such as reading, hiking, and skiing. She and her husband recently traveled to Bangkok. Kurtz would also like to let teachers know that the administrative field “is still looking for administrators and there’s so many good teachers out there [that would be an asset in the field].”
