inside the tide
Mr. Tanara Interview
You may have noticed Mr. Tanara, our new vice principal, as the friendly new face on campus—engaging with students during lunch and building connections throughout the school. He’s already made a positive impact, diving into student life and strengthening the Legacy community. In this section, we sit down with him to learn about his journey into education, what inspired him to join our school, and what he values most about being part of our community. We’ll also get personal, asking about his interests outside of school, his unique perspectives, and the experiences that have shaped his leadership style. Welcome to Legacy, Mr. Tanara!
What made you come to Legacy? Why do you think it stands out from other schools?
I love the approach to instruction here at Legacy. Students are acquiring the academic and social skills to contribute to the betterment of the world. I think that is really special.
What’s a unique or interesting fact about you?
When I graduated from college, I decided to sell my car and use the money to backpack around the world with two friends. We decided to travel without making any plans and allow the trip to develop organically. A few countries we visited included: China, Thailand, India, Kenya and South Africa. It was really amazing traveling with no plans and no reservations. We all learned to really be present in the moment and fully immerse ourselves in the experience.
Two truths and a lie - write two things that are true about you and one that isn’t
I swam with great white sharks
I used to teach high school English in Las Vegas
I have run a marathon
What skills does Legacy teach that helps prepare students for the real world?
I think Legacy really empowers students to think outside of the box and to be effective collaborators. These are two skills that I believe are so critical for anyone to know how to do. So much of what we do requires us to come up with new solutions to existing problems and I see the students at Legacy developing this skill every day. As far as collaboration is concerned, our teachers do an amazing job of developing projects and lessons that support students to develop the ability to work together productively. Students are learning about how to communicate effectively, build on one another's unique ideas and the results are pretty amazing.
If you could choose any job in the world besides being a vice principle what would you be?
I really enjoy capturing unique stories in writing and in film - I think I would be some sort of storyteller either through film or writing.
What launched your interest for education?
I always loved learning and creating spaces where students can explore new topics and ideas and discover their unique talents. Education opens up a world of opportunities and I wanted to be a part of that. So, I became a teacher and now serve as an administrator.
What’s one of your hot takes?
Pineapple pizza is delicious