Thank you, Principal Jergens-Zmuda!

We love our principals! Today, let’s learn more about Issaquah Middle School Principal Mark Jergens-Zmuda, who draws inspiration from one of his family members who was a teacher. Read on to learn more in this National Principals Month highlight!

• How many years have you been working in education? I am starting year 24.
   
• How many years have you worked with the ISD? This is the start of year 6.
   
• What is one of your favorite memories from when you were in school as a student, and why? One of my favorite memories was being in the high school marching band and playing in front of a crowded stadium in Scranton, PA for a Tournament of Bands competition. Our school performed several songs from “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
   
• If you could live in any fantasy world, what would it be? (For example, Narnia, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Middle Earth, Neverland, etc.) I would love to live in Winterfell or Westeros in "Game of Thrones."
   
• Who inspires you, and why? My grandmother inspires me. She was an English Language Arts teacher in Pittsburgh, PA for more than 40 years. She loved to travel and took each of her grandchildren to see a different country. I got to visit Ireland and lean about my ancestry.
   
• What is one of your hobbies or something you’re a huge fan of (and briefly explain why)? As an adult, I love to play softball. I have been playing with a league down near Tukwila for the last several years. I played short stop, left center and left field. Our team has qualified for the adult NAGAAA (North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance) World Series for a few years now.
   
• What did you do for fun/to relax this summer? I took my family to San Diego. We went to Sea World, visited the USS Midway, a Padres game, Coronado beach, San Diego Zoo and La Jolla Beach to relax and get some sun.
   
• What’s your biggest hope for this school year? To make a positive impact and difference at Issaquah Middle School teaching kindness and taking care of one another.

Thank you for leading at Issaquah Middle School, Principal Jergens-Zmuda!

#GoPanthers!