Getting to Know Mrs. Tanaka

A fourth generation Californian, I've been teaching for over 23 years after graduating from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in Art Education.

I began teaching in South Pasadena at the elementary level, then high school, and happily landing here in middle school.

My family includes my husband Steve, a film editor for NHRA and our 2 daughters-Maya studies theatre at UCLA and Izzy is a freshman at SPHS. We traveled to Japan over the summer and had an incredible time! Truly a bucket list adventure! We love our pets, and own two sweet dogs and a 28 year old Russian tortoise named Eddie Vedder (hello Pearl Jam fans!)

In my free time I love exploring new food and museum destinations with my family, reading, hanging at the beach or mountains, and volunteering at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. I've been spending my summer practicing my acrylic painting skills using dogs as my subject matter. I can’t wait to create art with your kiddos!