We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Hulya Odabas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Hulya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I absolutely love this question! It allows me to share a meaningful part of my life story. I was born into a family with three older sisters, and my father gave me the name “Hulya,” which means “dream.” This name holds a special significance because it reflects my parents’ aspirations for their daughters. Even though they didn’t have much formal education, they were unwavering in their commitment to education, especially my mom, who was determined to see all four of her daughters go to college. When I was 11, my father passed away due to cancer. This loss left my mother as the sole provider for four daughters. During this time, my mother’s strength and determination served as a source of inspiration for me, even though I didn’t fully realize it then. She made sure we never felt “needy” and instilled in us the belief that we had everything we needed to succeed in life.
As I grew older, I began to comprehend the profound impact of my parents’ influence on my life. My mother’s approach to adversity was a lesson in resilience and empowerment. Instead of dwelling on our problems, she faced them gracefully and always looked forward to the next opportunity.
The values and life lessons my mom imparted had a profound impact on my career and how I perceive the world. She taught me never to underestimate any opportunity, no matter how small it might seem, and encouraged me to approach every task with pride and enthusiasm. This invaluable lesson has been my guiding principle throughout my life.
As I continued to mature, I realized the importance of curiosity and being open to learning new things. My mom’s philosophy of “never missing any opportunity” became my motto. It not only shaped my career but also my personal growth.
My mom’s belief in the power of education became the driving force in my life.
It’s a testament to the enduring impact of my parents’ values and dedication to education, allowing me to thrive and contribute to the communities.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’d be happy to provide an overview of our organization and the work we do.

I am deeply passionate about education, and my journey into the field was driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives, particularly first-generation students. Our organization, Study Smart Tutors, is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to first-generation students, as well as the schools and college access programs that serve them.

Our mission is rooted in promoting educational equity, access, and success. We have a track record of offering high-quality education, especially intervention, college preparation, and enrichment programming, to thousands of students and families. Our goal is to prepare the students not only for college but also for successful careers and lifelong achievements.

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch services. We collaborate with partners who share our vision for educational equity. Through a combination of educational experts, specialized training, and a curriculum tailored to the unique strengths of first-generation students, we strive to make a lasting impact on their educational journey.

Our educational leaders in our team work diligently to develop curriculum and deliver instruction that harnesses the latest technologies, ensuring our programs are interactive and academically challenging. We believe in fostering an environment where learning is engaging and empowering, setting our students up for success not just in the classroom but also in life.

At the core of our vision is the belief that every first-generation individual should have the opportunity to overcome infrastructure challenges through education. We aim to support their growth and maximize their potential, supporting them to become influential leaders in their communities.We’re not just providing services; we’re helping to shape futures.

I want potential partners and the community to know that our work is driven by compassion, passion for education, and a commitment to equity. We approach our work with care, joy, and enthusiasm, and our focus is on creating opportunities and pathways for students that can truly change their lives. You can learn more about us and our work on our website at https://studysmarttutors.com/

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Excellent topic to talk about all day, every day! I’ll start by saying I’m fortunate to have a fantastic team.
Leading a team and keeping everyone’s spirits high is critical to our success. I lead with trust and compassion, but I also challenge my team to excel as we continue growing. We place great emphasis on social and emotional learning (SEL).

Did I mention I worked as a school counselor for about six years :)? My social and emotional learning focus is influenced by my background as a school counselor. SEL remains a cornerstone of our culture. It’s not just a passing trend for us; we genuinely believe in the value of emotional intelligence, effective communication, and empathy. These qualities enhance our working relationships and enable us to connect more deeply with our clients and students.

Our teamwork is founded on trust and genuine care for one another. I place my trust in my team’s abilities and encourage them to exercise their creativity and innovative thinking.

While compassion is at our core, I also embrace challenges. As we expand, we set higher standards and continually strive for excellence. I encourage my team to view challenges as opportunities for personal and collective growth. This approach keeps everyone motivated and contributes to our ongoing improvement.

We also acknowledge that maintaining a constant state of high morale isn’t always realistic. We’re comfortable with experiencing moments of frustration, confusion, or disagreement, recognizing that these are often integral to personal and professional development. These moments often lead to profound insights and creative solutions.

It’s crucial to acknowledge our successes, big and small, and to express our appreciation for the dedicated efforts of our team members. Our extraordinary team thrives within this environment, and it empowers us to continue making a significant impact in the lives of our clients and students.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely, without a doubt, I would choose the same profession and specialty. There’s nothing in the world that brings me more joy than the pursuit of knowledge. When you have a deep passion for learning, life becomes so much more manageable and fulfilling :)

Learning isn’t confined to one subject or field; it’s a universal language that allows us to understand the importance of human connections, the power of community, the intricacies of the human mind and behavior, and even the science of nutrition. Everything we do is rooted in the core concept of “learning,” and that’s what I cherish most about being an educator.

The curiosity I mentioned earlier, which I inherited from my mom, drives me to approach learning in all aspects of life with enthusiasm and wonder. It’s a priceless gift that keeps me engaged and excited about the world.

My professional journey has been anything but a straight line. I started as a scientist, transitioned to teaching chemistry, ventured into learning new languages, explored various roles in school districts, became a school counselor, and eventually evolved into an education leader. While my path may not have been straightforward, every step and experience along the way has contributed to my growth and understanding.

Even if I could go back in time, I would absolutely choose the same path and career. The dots that may have seemed disconnected at times all make sense in the grand scheme of things. I’m incredibly grateful for this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studysmarttutors.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.hulyalar/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hodabas/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hulyasodabas
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studysmarttutors/videos