In the 2021-2022 school year, Bellarmine welcomes new teachers to the community. The Lion staff was able to catch up with a few of the teachers. Not featured yet are World Languages teacher Angelica Calcote,  Campus Ministry director Aires Patulot, and Alumni Service Corps volunteer Patrick Selner.

Mathematics Teacher, Mary Fischer

Question: What brought you to Bellarmine; where did you come from?

Answer: I have been waiting for an opportunity to work at Bellarmine. I was working in the Senior Living Industry (during COVID!) before coming here. I was the Fitness Director. We were fortunate – no one came down with COVID in my building. My favorite teaching experience (before now) was at Mililani High School on Oahu, Hawaii for six years.

Question: What classes/programs are you teaching?

Answer: I am teaching Honors Pre Calc and Adv Alg Trig and I will fill in PE one period once Mrs.[Julie] Hiles goes to have her baby.

Question: What do you do outside of school? Do you have any hobbies? A pet?

Answer: I am/was a group fitness instructor.  I can teach anything but Zumba.  My favorite thing to do outside of school is hang with my fitness friends in a KickBoxing class, or Body Pump Class, or on a weekend hike, or kayaking.

My husband and I have 4 grown and gone kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 chickens.

Social Studies Teacher, Liu Johnson

Question: What brought you to Bellarmine; where did you come from?

Answer: I received my BA in History from Humboldt State University and shortly thereafter enlisted in the US Air Force where I honorably served overseas. After my service, I attended the University of Puget Sound where I received my Master’s degree in teaching.

I’ve been teaching in Tacoma Public Schools for 16 years, primarily at Dr. Silas High School, formerly known as Wilson. Most of my teaching experience is in AP History.

Question: Why Bellarmine?

Answer: I have been considering a transition to BPS for a while. The academic rigor aligns with my expectation for students and the Jesuit values of service before self and care for the whole person, are core values of mine.

On a personal level I have witnessed my own children’s success as they matriculate through our local Catholic school and I know the formative education they’ve received. I hope to bring my expertise to the BPS community and contribute to our students’ experience.

Question: What classes/programs are you teaching? Have you enjoyed your classes thus far?

Answer: I teach AP US History and World History.

Is it June yet? Kidding. I am enjoying my classes. Students are engaged and prepared to learn. Faculty and staff have been helpful, there’s good energy on campus and we’re moving forward.

Question: What is one thing you are excited about the coming year(s)?

Answer: I’m excited to witness my students grow in their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. I’m excited to see my students transition as thoughtful young adults with a deep understanding of history and how it impacts their future decisions.

I’m also excited to watch the girls soccer teams compete… I’m a fan of soccer and dad to one of the lady lions!

Question: What do you do outside of school? Do you have any hobbies? A pet?

Answer: Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife and I have 3 kids and our favorite sports teams to watch have one of our kids on it! When we’re not traveling for sports, I enjoy cooking, drawing, sculpting and archery.

Our family dog is a 100 pound Greater Swiss Mountain dog named Kenai. She’s 12 years old and getting a little cranky in her old age, but she’s still my biggest fan.

Mathematic Teacher, Conor Unruh

Question: What brought you to Bellarmine; where did you come from?

Answer: Bellarmine is a unique community that provides multiple ways to grow as a human being.  Cura Personalis, the dedication to the development of the whole person, is a major theme at Bellarmine, and I could not wait to be a part of a community built around it.  I come here after spending the past year teaching 6th grade math, science, and religion and St. Charles Borromeo School.

Question: What classes/programs are you teaching? Have you enjoyed your classes thus far?

Answer: I teach Algebra E and College Prep Pre-Calculus, as well as help out with the baseball and freshman football program. I have thoroughly enjoyed my classes so far.

Question: What do you do outside of school? Do you have any hobbies? A pet?

Answer: I enjoy golfing, reading, cooking, and eating.  My wife and I have a 1-year-old cat named Smokey (and hopefully we will have a dog in the near future!)

Art Teacher, Andrew Deem

Question: What brought you to Bellarmine; where did you come from?

Answer: I was born and raised in the City of Destiny so, even though I never attended Bellarmine, I knew plenty of friends and acquaintances who did. Earlier this year a rare opportunity to teach ceramics at Bellarmine popped up and I had to apply.

Question: What classes/programs are you teaching? Have you enjoyed your classes thus far?

Answer:I was thrilled to accept an offer as the newest member of the Art Department here at the top of the hill. My background is in ceramics, so I am teaching all Intro to Ceramics classes, an Advanced Ceramics course, and a Design Course. On top of that I have a fantastic group of freshman students in my Formation Class.

Question:What is one thing you are excited about the coming year(s)?

Answer:I am just simply excited to be here around Bellarmine’s forward-thinking faculty and student body. I am excited to see what my students will make in class and eager to, not only teach students, but learn from them as well.

Question:What do you do outside of school? Do you have any hobbies? A pet?

Answer: Apart from teaching, I practice my own artwork; I have a full ceramic studio at home where I make my own line of pottery and sell through my website. During the spring and summer my partner and I enjoy backpacking with our dog and gardening in the backyard. Being out in nature and growing plants is a great way to unwind, reflect, and think about our place on this planet.

World Languages Teacher, Sarah Bostrom

Question: What brought you to Bellarmine; where did you come from?

Answer: I ended up at Bellarmine through a special graduate program I am in called PACE. It works through the University of Portland and helps teachers find full-time teaching jobs across the country while receiving their Masters in Education. PACE and Bellarmine had worked closely together before and had an opening for a Spanish teacher, so that’s how I got here!

Question: What classes/programs are you teaching? Have you enjoyed your classes thus far?

Answer: I teach Spanish 1 and also am working in Integrated Studies. So far classes have been great! I am loving getting to know all the students and everyone at the school has been incredibly supportive.

Question: What is one thing you are excited about the coming year(s)?

Answer: I am excited to be gaining all the wonderful experience I have by working at Bellarmine. I am also excited to be able to teach students about something I am really passionate about and hopefully ignite some of that passion in them! I am also just excited to get to know the community better.

Question: What do you do outside of school? Do you have any hobbies? A pet?

Answer: Outside of school, I love being outdoors and going on hikes. I enjoy reading, embroidery, and spending time with friends and family. I am also brand new to Tacoma, I just moved from the Bay Area, so I have been enjoying going out and exploring the city.

Counselor, Christopher Scotti

Question: What brought you to Bellarmine; where did you come from?

Answer: I went to high school at O’Dea then went to Oregon State University and played soccer there. I played there when it was a very brand new program. After I went and played professional soccer for about 10 years after I was playing college. I lived in Portland and played for the team there as well. I moved around a little then eventually moved into education. I’ve been in education for over 15 years. I came to Bellarmine because I think it was serendipity. I’ve been a counselor for a few years. I saw the position and I thought I’d applied for it. I was always thinking about Bellarmine in some capacity and then when the position came up I was really excited and decided to apply.

Question: What classes/programs are you teaching? Have you enjoyed your classes thus far?

Answer: I have really enjoyed the staff here and I enjoy meeting with the students. It’s different, every school has their different components. This being a preparatory school and kids like being so anxious and eager to attend college, that’s been new for me. I’ve helped with that before but not within the same capacity. But I really, really have enjoyed it so far.

Question: What is one thing you are excited about the coming year(s)?

Answer: Being here at Bellarmine I love challenges. I love to be a part of things and that it can have an influence on and be a difference maker. I pride myself on that. The challenges of things coming and seeing where I fit in. Whether that be academics or even athletics or some sort of co-teacher. Possibly within the formation teams and overall just people getting to know my personality. I can really be myself here and am excited for the future.

Question: What do you do outside of school? Do you have any hobbies? A pet?

Answer: I have a wife and two kids, a seven and nine year old. We just got a puppy, a Siberian Husky. It keeps my family very busy. Soccer also is a family hobby and my kids are playing. We also enjoy some water sports, snowboarding, skiing and to go on walks.

Mathematics Teacher, Kenny Pham

Question: What brought you to Bellarmine; where did you come from?

Answer: As someone from Renton, what brought me to Bellarmine certainly wasn’t the location. It was because of the Jesuit community that is here and the supportive environment that focuses not only on its rigorous college prep curriculum but on the whole person as well!

Question: What classes/programs are you teaching? Have you enjoyed your classes thus far?

Answer: I teach Advanced Algebra/Trig and Geometry A and B this year! The classes have required a bit of transition but all of my classes are great and full of great students!

Question: What is one thing you are excited about the coming year(s)?

Answer: I’m excited to have students back on-campus this year, but I’m also particularly excited in helping out with some of the retreats that Bellarmine has to offer!

Question: What do you do outside of school? Do you have any hobbies? A pet?

Answer: I don’t have any pets but if I’m not at school, then I’m either doing ministry at my home parish or I could most likely be playing video games with friends when I’m off the clock.