From shark week to teachers’ lounge
Highlands Elementary teacher talks about what made him become an educator
Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of profiles of Saugus Union School District teachers who have returned to teach at schools they once attended.
Before he began his nearly 14 year career in the Saugus district, Dan Kurtz, a fifthgrade teacher at Highlands Elementary School, wanted to specialize in sharks.
But, after he worked as a second-grade teacher’s aide for his former teacher Pete Bland in high school, Kurtz knew he wanted to become a teacher as well.
“I was TA for his class and absolutely loved it. I really got along with Pete and I really saw myself following his footsteps,” Kurtz said. “My mom was also an office manager in this district.”
After he earned his teaching credential, Kurtz decided to return to the Santa Clarita Valley and, particularly, the Saugus district.
“I really favored the Saugus district,” Kurtz said. “I connect well with the kids here in Santa Clarita because I was one of them. So I really understand how they’re growing up, what they’re experiences are, what they aren’t
exposed to and what they are exposed to… I can bring that into the lesson.”
He also wanted to work in the district because of its integration of technology in the classroom with Chromebooks and Flat Panels and because of its diverse student makeup.
Now, the fifth-grade teacher is back in his elementary school, working with his former third-grade teacher Mara Kavanagh and teaching students in what used to be his second-grade classroom.
“You think it would be crazy but it’s really not that impactful because the school has changed so much so it’s really different than it used to be,” he said. “The only thing that’s really unique is the three walls so we have the open pods. To me that’s kind of normal where for others it’s not.”
Kurtz said he loves watching students gain confidence in themselves in their learning throughout the day.
“I also want to teach because I’ve had some really amazing teachers that really went out of their way and they really helped shaped the person I am today,” Kurtz said. “I want to be like them and give the students the same experiences I had.”