Ms. Tabata: Vistamar’s Science Superstar and Your Biggest Fan!

Are you in need of a funny anecdote that almost seems too wild to be true? Or, do you need some help understanding the difference between meiosis and mitosis (because who doesn’t)? Well, look no further! If you haven’t already, meet Ms. Tabata!

Ms. Tabata (although some students call her “T-Bat” or “Tabata”) is currently a part of Vistamar’s Science department, teaching AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Advanced Practicum in Laboratory Science (if you know you know). Ms. Tabata was born and raised in Wahiawa, Hawaii, and lived there through her high school years. Ms. Tabata received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Loyola Marymount University here in Los Angeles, her master’s in science education from California State University, Long Beach, and her science teaching credentials from California State University, Dominguez Hills. All-in-all, Ms. Tabata loves science!

I asked Tabata what inspired her to pursue teaching and her answer was unexpected. Most teachers say they’ve always admired it, or it kind of just clicked for them, but Ms. Tabata said, “It was an accident.” After college, Tabata deferred medical school, and decided to teach science for that year, and fell in love with it then. “I never went back and I don’t regret it one bit.” Ms. Tabata said that if she wasn’t teaching science, she would want to teach a Humanities class or anything with writing. If I had Tabata in an English class, it would probably be my favorite class ever! #TabataforHumanities2024.

Ms. Tabata started at Vistamar in 2006 and has been in the Science Department since. She served as the Science Department Chair for 14 years, but decided she wanted to get more classroom time and came back as a science teacher! When asked her favorite thing about Vistamar and why she stays, her answer is simple: “The students.”

I can hear you all saying “Aww” and I said the exact same thing. I’ve been taking “Tabata classes” since my freshman year. I started off with Tabata in Physical Science over Zoom, which was interesting, but Tabata made sure the class was never dull! From building our own Operation games to the mysterious “miracle berry” experiment we did as a class, you can expect “outside of the box” learning in Ms. Tabata’s class. Junior year, I took AP Biology, which I was mortified to take because I’m a Humanities kid at heart. But, my worries and anxieties quickly went away once Tabata added her truly unique spins to the class. From the funny (and sometimes messy) “bubble lab” to represent cellular membranes to the Toothpicks Enzymes Lab where I showed my skills as “Toothpick-ase.” I always get a kick out of Tabata’s unique curriculum.

If you couldn’t tell by now, Ms. Tabata absolutely loves her students and loves teaching. Her favorite part of teaching is “watching students grow and learn and become really good people.” I asked her what her favorite kind of student interactions are and she said “I love my Anatomy & Physiology class because of all of the gossip,” followed by one of Tabata’s unique and infectious laughs. She says that her students used to call Anatomy & Physiology, “Anatomy & Psychology because it’s therapeutic, talking about problems and having light, and fun discussions.” Being in Tabata’s A&P E-block, I can definitely attest to this, and there’s never a dull moment. I always love hearing Tabata’s funny stories in class that come up randomly in Anatomy class. If you have a moment, ask her about her jury duty story, it’s a doozy.

Ms. Tabata, if she isn’t already, is soon to be your #1 fan and supporter because she loves seeing her students succeed and persevere through challenges. Whether it be going to a baseball game (or scorekeeping, thanks to her new G-block), or going to see one of Vistamar Theatre’s performances, Ms. Tabata will be in the stands cheering you on! If you need some academic support, Ms. Tabata is always willing to come to school early, stay later, or even offer support during lunch too. Or, you could just pop in to say “hello” and have a chat with Tabata about whatever is on your mind. Outside of school, Tabata can be found at one of her son’s baseball and soccer games or gaming at home with her sons.

Tabata would like all students to understand the importance of being kind. She says, “People will always put you down, but know that you are good! Don’t be a person that puts other people down! SPREAD JOY!” This is truly reflected in not just her teaching philosophy but her life philosophy to simply “spread joy!” If you have the time, go pop into Lab 3 and say “hello” to Ms. Tabata. She’s always ready for a good chat and would love to meet you. You’ll probably see me in there, too, telling Tabata my latest life updates. Ms. Tabata, thank you for all you do and thank you for being a bright light at Vistamar School.

Photo Credit: Cliff Williams