Inez Tapia, a first-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary, overcame challenges and found her calling through the Seattle Teacher Residency program.
At Highland Park Elementary in West Seattle, first-grade teacher Inez Tapia is making a difference through dedication and perseverance.
Inez’s journey into teaching was not a straightforward one, but every step of the way prepared her for the role she plays today.
“All of my jobs before STR had to do with some sort of educational background—mentoring, tutoring—but it wasn’t until I became an instructional assistant (IA) that I was truly inspired to pursue teaching,” Inez explains. She worked alongside an incredible teacher, learning and growing in the role, which ultimately led her to apply to the Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) program.
Inez was part of STR’s very first cohort, and her journey through the program was not without its challenges.
Being the eldest in her family, she faced significant family health issues and had to take on a lot of responsibilities at home while managing the demands of the residency. “I struggled trying to balance both family and school,” she admits.
Despite these obstacles, Inez found support within the STR program. “They did a wonderful job of trying to support me,” she says, recalling the extra year she took to complete the program and the assistance she received in overcoming obstacles like passing the NES test. “Even though I had those obstacles, I didn’t give up, and neither did they. STR really supported me in that journey, and that’s why I’m here today.”
One of the biggest takeaways from STR for Inez was the emphasis on collaboration. As part of the first cohort, Inez and her peers had to learn alongside the director and professors, often serving as the “guinea pigs” for the program. “We had to rely a lot on each other for support. Looking back, the lessons were very helpful for me today. I can think about anticipated answers from students, their funds of knowledge that they can provide scaffolding differentiation that I need for them to access the curriculum.” she says.
This sense of collaboration has stayed with her throughout her teaching career. “Now, I feel like the STR curriculum helped me think about my kids and what they’re going to learn and how I can work with others as well to continue that growth” she explains.
The program’s emphasis on detailed lesson planning also helped Inez anticipate student needs and provide the necessary scaffolding and differentiation to ensure all her students could access the curriculum.
Inez believes that what sets STR teachers apart is the experience of being in the classroom from day one. “We’re in it from the start, building community and culture alongside our mentors,” she says. “That’s what prepared me for classroom management—I had a whole year to work on it, not just six weeks.”
In her classroom, Inez focuses on building genuine, intentional relationships with her students from the very beginning. “We work a lot on identity,” she explains. “I use my own background—my language, my Mexican American heritage—to help my students feel comfortable sharing where they’re from.” For Inez, teaching is not a one-way street; it’s about giving students the opportunity to teach her and their peers as well.
Through her dedication to her students and her community, Inez Tapia is making a lasting impact at Highland Park Elementary, ensuring that every student feels valued, supported and capable of achieving their goals. Her journey, filled with perseverance and a deep commitment to social justice, continues to inspire those around her.
Learn more about the Seattle Teacher Residency and make a gift to support future educators like Inez.