Congratulations to Dr. Andrea Kurtz, Psy.D. for 25 Years at GA! Kurtz’s position is two-fold as she serves as both the Middle School Psychologist and the school-wide Director of Counseling Services. In celebration of her years spent here, we asked Kurtz a few questions about herself.

Q: Besides your official “titles”, what is your role here at GA?
A: I support the students, families and faculty of the Middle School by providing individual counseling and consultation. I also provide support for our students regarding evaluations, consultation with outside clinicians, and working with the Health and Wellness team to support student well-being.

As the Director of Counseling, I supervise the team of GA psychologists and counselors. Our department’s work is to educate the community on issues related to mental health and child and adolescent development. Part of our department’s Mission Statement is to ‘foster foundational social, emotional, and learning skills that allow students to have positive interactions in the classroom with their peers, their families, and in their future adult lives.’

Q: Why have you stayed here for 25 years?
A: I have stayed at GA for 25 years because I love working with students, their families, and the faculty daily and help to ensure that students are thriving and learning skills to be independent and resilient. No two days are the same – every day presents different challenges and opportunities to help support our students. 

Q: What is a favorite thing that you experience in your role here?
A: My favorite thing is working directly with students in a counseling capacity. Providing students with a safe space to discuss challenges and develop coping strategies is very rewarding.

Q: What is one of your favorite things at GA? 
A: What I love most about GA – several things – is the sense of community, opportunities to learn and grow, and working with such talented colleagues and administrators.

Q: What is something you are interested in that is not GA related?
A: I enjoy mindfulness, yoga, and baking.