Soaring Eagle math teacher retires after 11 years

MariaFernanda Gomez

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By MariaFernanda Gomez

Special to the Intermountain Catholic

DRAPER — "The best moment of being a teacher is that rare occasion when students finally have the light dawn," Tammara Kuramoto laughed. Behind the artful origami and picture frames in her Juan Diego Catholic High School math classroom is a unique Japanese history that sheds light on the woman, superfan, and teacher.

Kuramoto, who has taught for 21 years (11 at JDCHS), will teach her final class this month and then embark on a new learning curve – retirement. She is excited to spend more time with her husband, who is already retired, as well as on her many hobbies. "I’ve put off doing crafts and sewing that I haven’t had time for," she said. "And we’re looking forward to traveling; starting with just visiting family and after that, we’ll see."

After graduating from the University of Utah, Kuramoto married her husband, Henry, and moved to California, where he owned a rose nursery. She helped him there for 17 years before they moved back to Utah.

She began teaching in the late 1960s at her alma mater, East High School in Salt Lake City, teaching alongside faculty members who once taught her.

In 2000, Kuramoto transferred to JDCHS to teach geometry, trigonometry and Algebra II – her favorite subject to teach. "It’s when students start to see more than arithmetic," she said.

No matter where she has been, her Japanese culture and traditions have stayed with her. Her classroom is filled with origami and crafts, and she brings homemade Japanese food to school for the faculty to enjoy. Her father, Ken Ogura, was born in 1920 in Portland, Ore. Kuramoto says her math skills may come from him. "He could do a lot of computations," she says.

"She is a total American, but really respects her Japanese traditions," said Jan Duane, JDCHS librarian and a close friend of Kuramoto.

Kuramoto attends as many school sporting events as possible, as well as band and choir concerts, and she can even be found dressed up at prom.

"She is a rabid football fan," Duane said. "She loves football more than her husband! I always sit with her because she knows every player, every move, and every play."

Students and coaches also know Kuramoto as a Soaring Eagle superfan.

"Her presence at the games is a symbol to the student body that it is important to support school teams," said Brandon Sluga, a fellow math teacher and boys basketball coach. "It is also a symbol of dedication to the school."

Kuramoto is not an athlete herself, however; she says P.E. was her worst subject in school. "I’m a clutz! I like to watch it, but not do it," she said.

Her co-workers and students appreciate her commitment to the whole personal welfare of all students, not just their academic success.

"She is a team player and always is responsible with preparation of personal and math department responsibilities," Sluga said. "She is very dedicated to helping students succeed in school and in life."

Kuramoto is in her classroom before, after, or during school to help students with questions and to prepare them for tests.

"She is concerned with the whole class’s success, not just a few individuals," said Jenny Schilling, a senior who was in the Algebra II honors class. "She doesn’t just ignore you or move on if you don’t get it. She will keep working and make sure that the entire class gets it. She loves teaching because she is always happy and bubbly and is always there for her students."