By Leila Azziz and Annika Andersen
May 26, 2026
BioDiversity is a recurring feature that seeks to introduce teachers and staff to our community. This interview was conducted in October 2025 and is edited for clarity and concision.
BioDiversity is a recurring feature that seeks to introduce teachers and staff to our community. This interview was conducted in October 2025 and is edited for clarity and concision.
Bowman Courier: What are your duties and responsibilities?
Isabel Schwarz: I kind of do a little bit of everything on campus, especially in the office. I do random tasks that just need to be done. I answer phone calls, monitor who’s coming in and out of the school, and I also handle different email accounts.
How long have you been working at Bowman?
I have been here for a little over a month, but I was a student here as well for three years.
Why are you working at Bowman?
I am at Bowman because I just feel like it’s a good way for me to give back to my community and the education that I received here. I really appreciate what goes on here now. I think more so than when I was a student. I especially think of learning and just how intentional everything is, just even being in the office when it comes down to what type of paper we use or what color we use. I also really enjoy working at a place that fosters a holistic person and you guys are our future generations. So, it’s like working at a place that really helps build that. I think it just feels like it’s a good way to give back.
What is your educational background?
I was here from 6th to 8th grade, and then I went to Palo Alto High School for 9th through 12th, and then I went to Gonzaga University in Washington for my degree. I got a bachelor in marketing and I got a minor in Fine Arts.
What were your previous jobs?
So it ranged. I had an internship with this global energy company called Hitachi. Then, I worked at the Gonzaga alumni as a social media specialist there. After I graduated, I was a barista for two years and now I’m here.
Did any of those jobs influence you to get this job?
Yeah, I think part of it is being in your twenties. You’re exploring different avenues and I think while the degree I have is a good foundation, it’s not necessarily something I was really interested in. It was just skills I obtained. So, I think right now I’m figuring out and trying out different things and seeing what sticks with me.
Do you see a future here at Bowman?
Yeah, for sure, I honestly do. I was talking about it with my parents the other day. How I feel like I’m really interested to see how I grow here. What kind of roles I’ll eventually obtain or if I stay as a receptionist, if I’ll enjoy that. So we’ll see.
Would you ever consider being a teacher?
It would be cool to explore that. I would probably start off as an assistant. Katie was telling me that’s what she did. She was an assistant with juniors, and that seems like it could be really fun.
What specific subject would you want to teach?
If I were to teach a subject, I would probably teach either English or Art. I think that I have proficiency in both of them.
What do you like most about Bowman?
I really like how holistic it is here with just learning how to just be citizens in addition to actually learning good quality education. I really like that Bowman teaches how to sew, cook, and take out the trash. Those are all helpful skills that I think a lot of people don’t really learn unless you’re being taught that by their parents. Sometimes, parents can be busy and kids don’t really have that learning experience. So, I think just being able to do that at school allows you to learn life experiences. So I think just learning different aspects of life aside from education is really important.
Would you improve anything about Bowman?
I like the fact that they’ve already expanded to different age groups and that they have different campuses. Even though it can be a lot to deal with on the administrative side. I think I’ve been here too short of time to really improve anything right now. Maybe ask me in a year or two from now.
Do you like how Bowman changed since you were a student?
Yeah. So I think they really expanded themselves, which I think they had the potential to do even when I was here. So, the fact that they were able to expand themselves and Bowman has the space to have separate art rooms and a wood shop room. Now you have a whole Home Economics room. When I was a student, it was the staff lounge. So, it’s very different now.
What are things you do during your free time?
I like to read a lot, although I haven’t made as much time as I would like. I would love to eventually have something like my own home library. I believe in physical books rather than Kindles, and I really like to do art. The projects I do can be very big. Sometimes it could be painting or drawing, sometimes it could be something more crafty. I also really like to cook. I’ve kind of taken over cooking the dinners in my house. And so that’s actually been kind of fun for me because I’ve just been exploring different recipes and how to cook different things. And my brothers tell me it’s good so that’s when you know it’s good. I also really like doing stuff outdoors such as going for walks, going on hikes and just also really taking care of my health and like challenging myself. I just ran a 1/2 marathon the other weekend, which was good because I had a better time than I thought I was going to get because I was quite nervous about it. I think just being active probably sums it up.
Last, is there anything else you want the readers to know?
I would say feel free to come into the office and ask me questions if you’re able to. Not while you’re working, but you know, feel free to say hi. I think also expanding your understanding of your interests outside of school is really important. I also think if you end up not going to Bowman for high school, really doing extracurriculars to meet people and going things is really good for your transcripts, or whatever you submit to colleges. I think it’s also a great way to immerse yourself in whatever community you’re in. So doing extracurriculars is really good for expanding who you are as a person.