Emiko Kamitsuna: 

Japanese teacher Emiko Kamitsuna (she/her) is one of the newest members on staff. After 26 years of teaching, Kamitsuna is eager to see what teaching IB Japanese entails.
“I’m trying to learn about IB and the program. There is no one set curriculum, so it’s been busy this year. However, I have really small classes,” Kamitsuna said. “So it’s an ideal situation. The students are very, very nice and polite.”
Kamitsuna has also taught at North Creek High School since 2017. She is still teaching there for her first three periods. Overall, she is delighted by the attitude her students have in the classroom.
“Students in Japanese 300, 400 and 500 — they’re not freshmen. So they’re calmer. And I think that they know that this is IB Japanese, so they can expect some work.” 

One of Kamitsuna’s favorite parts about Japanese class is the potlucks during the year. “The food seems to make everyone happy and talkative,” Kamitsuna said. 

Besides teaching her Japanese classes, Kamitsuna leads a quiet life with three dogs: Bosco, Dewey and Boomer. 

Although the Japanese program is being gradually cut at Inglemoor, which means she only teaches IB Japanese 300, 400 and 500, Kamitsuna remains enthusiastic about the future of Japanese in the district. 

“It was a few years ago that the decision was made. We had enrollment, but somehow, they decided to cut the Japanese program. If we can do anything to restart (the program), that would be great.”

Grace Hartinger: 

Grace Hartinger (she/her) is beginning her venture as the new Algebra I and Algebra II teacher. Previously, Hartinger taught at Woodinville High School and Northshore Networks for a total of nine years. Hartinger said she’s quickly adjusting to Inglemoor and enjoys getting to know her students. 

“I’ve been really impressed by everybody. They’re really nice and respectful, and I obviously really like math, but I also like learning what the students are as people and their other interests.” 

After teaching math for a while, Hartinger has figured out why she loves it so much. 

“If I think back to who I was as a student, I really like that there’s an answer (in math). You get to a finite conclusion. As a teacher specifically, I like that math creates an environment where people are just thinking really hard. You go into a math classroom, or any classroom, really it’s not just math — just thinking through the logic really makes your brain work.” 

Besides math, Hartinger considers herself a true Seattleite and enjoys exploring the area. 

“I live in the U-District, and I really like walking places and trying new food,” Hartinger said. “I also do a lot of workout classes and video games.” 

Overall, Hartinger enjoys the open-campus environment and the breathing room it provides.

“Everyone’s on the same floor, so I see other people. For example, I see the people in the main office way more. And I see my students walking by. And I don’t know if you know what Woodinville (High School) looks like, but it’s three stories, and so you’re kind of just in one part of the school; you don’t see the other parts.” 

As a teacher, Hartinger said there’s never a boring day. 

“Any teacher will tell you, the day goes by real quick, right? Because there’s so much to do, and there’s always something, some new challenge, or whatever it is.”

Jeremy Tapp: 

French teacher Jeremy Tapp (he/him), who teaches all five levels, is ready to begin his first full year teaching at Inglemoor. After 26 years of teaching at Bothell High School, Tapps’s favorite part about teaching is helping students understand a difficult concept. 

“It always comes back to when they have that moment where it’s like a lightbulb moment. When you’ve been struggling, and then all of a sudden you get it. I love seeing that on students’ faces.”

Tapp started learning French in high school and received his degree from Western Washington University. He said he really loves learning and teaching languages. 

“I love diving into the culture a little bit. And it’s an elective; you know that students are choosing to come. I think that shows a certain amount of motivation and drive. I like working with that energy too.”

Outside of school, Tapp lives on a farm with his partner, Jeff. 

“We have sheep, chickens, and a couple farm dogs.”

Tapp is also a violinist with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra. 

Although Tapp teaches the same French curriculum each year, he said he never gets tired of it. 

“I’ll probably teach the same things over and over again like I’ve taught them and in the past decades, but each class brings something new, something fresh. So each class has its own level of interaction, its own psychic energy working with the material, and that’s so it feels like it’s new every time.”

Alayna Miller: 

First year teacher Alayna Miller (she/her) is excited to begin this year teaching 12th grade AP Language and Literature and Pre-IB English 9. Although this is her first year, Miller has worked as a long-term substitute. 

“I used to work in the portables, and I taught English 11. I had subbed at another school prior to that, so I subbed all of last year.” 

Prior to her first teaching jobs, Miller recieved her bachelors degree in literature from Western Washington University and attended Everett Community College through a satellite program that earned her a master’s degree. 

Mainly, Miller enjoys watching students interact with one another. 

“It’s always really fun for me to see the perspectives that they have. Normally, I feel that they come up with something I would never think of, and that community that we build in the classroom from sharing all those things is really exciting for me.” 

Outside of the classroom, Miller finds joy in spending time with her friends and family. 

“My siblings are high-school-age, so we do a lot of thrifting and go to the movies. I have a book club with my friends, and my parents have a lot of animals, so I’m really involved with them. Currently, they’re redoing their house, so I’ve helped them a lot with interior DIY, gardening and cooking.” 

Miller said that ultimately, her students inspire her to continue teaching. 

“I love getting to see what you guys are interested in and what you do with your lives outside of school, watching you become leaders and the great people that I get to see in the classroom.”