Coach Kazue Kaneko Schmitz has been teaching Japanese language courses, level 1 through AP, at Columbus High School since 1997.  She is a native of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, and holds an Educational Specialist's degree from Columbus State University.  She also studied Japanese language methodology at California State University, Long Beach.

Mrs. Schmitz coached Columbus High School swim teams from 1999 through 2007.  She used to be a competitive swimmer when she was growing up in Japan.  She loves swimming and still swims occasionally at YMCA. 

Coach Schmitz received the Ledger-Enquirer Bi-City Swimming Coach of the Year Award in 2004 and again in 2006 for her dedication and achievement with the CHS swimming program.

Mrs. Schmitz will be turning the coaching duties over to Mr. Paul Heuton for the 2007-2008 school year.