Member Spotlight: Lawrence Tanimoto
Lawrence Tanimoto has been the Treasurer of CSTA Washington since 2019 and a longtime advocate for expanding access to high‑quality computer science education across Washington.
My CS Story
Lawrence taught Computer Science at Ingraham High School in north Seattle from 2014 to 2021. During that time, he developed and taught a wide range of courses, including AP Computer Science A, IB Computer Science SL and HL, Exploring Computer Science, introductory programming in Java and Python, and applied technology courses such as Web Design and Microsoft Office.
Lawrence has also worked to expand CS access across Washington and the US as a TEALS volunteer. He has supported students and teachers at Wingfield HS (Jackson, MS), Lake Washington High School (Kirkland WA), Soap Lake Middle/High School (Soap Lake, WA), and the Washington State School for the Blind (Vancouver, WA).
Since retiring from full‑time classroom teaching, Lawrence has continued to play an active leadership role in CSTA Washington. From 2023 to 2025, he served as the lead instructor for Washington’s online Computer Science Endorsement Exam Preparation Course. He also led and championed several initiatives, including the CSTA Washington Connector newsletter (November 2023 – March 2025), the Washington CS and CTE Analytics 2025 project and its predecessors, and the ongoing development and maintenance of the new CSTA Washington website. Through these efforts, Lawrence has focused on strengthening the CSTA Washington’s operations, Washington CS educator community, and improving access to data and information for advocacy and decision‑making.
Prior to entering education, Lawrence spent 28 years in the international computer industry. He began his career in Japan working as a systems engineer with Fujitsu Corporation for six years. He later spent 18 years at Microsoft, primarily as a technical Program Manager supporting worldwide assistance and content services for Microsoft Office. His industry experience shaped his understanding of how large‑scale systems are built, supported, and sustained—and continues to inform his approach to improving the sustainability and effectiveness of CSTA Washington’s operations and finances.
Lawrence holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences from Stanford University, which included substantial coursework in computer science, and an MBA from the University of Hawaiʻi. His own computing journey began even earlier, learning FORTRAN on punch cards at ʻIolani School in Hawaiʻi—a formative experience that gives him a deep appreciation for both how far computing has come and the importance of strong foundational learning.
When Lawrence first became involved with CSTA Puget Sound, he believed that computer science education in Washington was already strong. Over time, however, he has become increasingly concerned about the pace of progress and the uneven access to CS education opportunities across the state. This realization has reinforced his commitment to CSTA’s vision – every student prepared for a world powered by computing.
My Story
Lawrence lives in north Bellevue, Washington, with his wife and has two grown children. A longtime Seattle Seahawks fan, he has been a season ticket holder since 1999. Within the CSTA community, he is perhaps best known for winning both the Men’s and Women’s brackets of the CSTA Chapter Leaders NCAA March Madness Challenge in 2024.
Committed to lifelong learning, Lawrence continues to explore new interests and skills during retirement. In addition to his work with CSTA Washington, his current pursuits include listening to audiobooks, regular fasting, morning exercise, learning tai chi, and playing guandan.
