Middle school science teacher Raji Swaminathan released her latest book on Sunday. The book is the seventh entry in Swaminathan’s “The Magical Periodic Table and the Element Girls” series, in which the main character, Atom, meets and learns about the various elements of the periodic table. Kindle Unlimited users have permanent free download access to the book.
Tags: eweekly, express, Faculty, ScienceThis past weekend, speech and debate coach Greg Achten was inducted into the Emory University Barkley Forum’s Gold Key Society, which was founded in 1964 to honor successful high school debate coaches. Existing members of the society select coaches to be inducted, which takes place at a ceremony during the Barkley Forum for High Schools Tournament. To date, 204 coaches have been inducted, including Harker coach Jenny Achten, a 2007 inductee.
Tags: alumni-express, eweekly, express, Faculty, Speech and Debate, topdebateLast week, longtime upper school art teacher Pilar Agüero-Esparza was named one of the 12 most recent Bay Area artists to join the Fleishhacker Foundation’s Eureka Fellowship Program, which has provided funding to local artists since 1986. A national panel of arts experts evaluated the work of each of the 123 artists nominated by local nonprofits. Agüero-Esparza’s award of $35,000 will be received in 2025 as part of the program’s three-year cycle.
A teacher at Harker since 2002, Agüero-Esparza’s work has appeared in many museums and galleries, including the San Jose Museum of Art, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, MACLA and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, frequently exploring concepts of race and inequality while channeling her own experiences living as a part of a marginalized group. In summer 2022, Montalvo Arts Center commissioned her to create a tapestry mural for their Claiming Space exhibition.
Tags: eweekly, express, Faculty, Visual ArtsUpper school debate teacher Greg Achten was recently elected to the executive board of the National Debate Coaches Association. All members of the organization are eligible to vote for the nine-member board. It is a national organization dedicated to supporting best practices in the debate community. The organization hosts one of the national championships and supports new programs with debate curriculum and research support. Achten’s years of community service, especially his expertise in running tournaments, were contributors to his election success. Additional details can be found at the NDCA website.
Tags: alumni-express, eweekly, express, Faculty, Speech and DebateThis past summer, K-5 visual arts chair Gerry-louise Robinson and middle school art teacher Sofie Siegmann traveled to Thailand to learn more about the country’s art, culture and history, and how they can be integrated into Harker’s visual arts programs. The trip was part of the Raju and Bala Vegesna Teacher Excellence Program, which supports teachers seeking exciting professional development opportunities.
“Thailand is a rich melting pot of art and culture that has embraced traits from all the countries that border it,” said Robinson. “There are so many visible connections with India and East Asia, cultures that are part of our Harker community.”
The excursion began with a three-day stint at the University of Fine Arts in Bangkok, where Robinson and Siegmann gave a presentation and participated in a project with the university’s teachers and students. “We got to explore the many disciplines that the college has to offer and chatted with many professors who are practicing artists in their own right,” said Robinson.
“It was the most rewarding experience, because it brought everybody together,” said Siegmann “The students worked at home, and in the end we all created a wall with over 500 pieces!”
They then visited temples in the northern and southern regions of the country, admiring and analyzing the many different techniques that made each of the temples unique. The trek also included stops at places where locals were creating ceramics in a variety of styles, as well as visits to art studios to meet with and learn from local artists. During the several workshops they attended, Robinson and Siegmann took part in soap carving, paper making and mask painting.
Robinson said she hopes to use the striking scenes she experienced in Thailand’s floating markets into her instruction, in addition to paper making projects and works involving elephants, which are icons of Thai culture. Siegmann said she planned to integrate at least two pieces inspired by what she learned in Thailand into each of her classes, including paper making, soap carving and printmaking.
The teachers thanked global education director Jennifer Walrod for organizing the trip. “Jennifer Walrod did an outstanding job in putting this trip to Thailand together,” said Siegmann. “It was such a smooth, adventuresome experience.” Sakchai Boon-Intr, a professor at the University of Fine Arts, was also instrumental in making the experience so worthwhile. “He did so much to enable us to be at the college and engage with the students and staff,” Robinson. Finally, they thanked the Vegesnas, whose endowment granted this unique opportunity.
“Thank you to the Vegesna family for making this possible,” Siegmann said. “What an opportunity!”
Tags: alumni-express, eweekly, express, Faculty, Raju and Bala Vegesna Teacher Excellence Program, topfinearts, Visual ArtsUpper school chemistry teacher Andrew Irvine competed as a member of the United States canoe polo team at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Ala., in July and the 2022 International Canoe Federation’s Canoe Polo World Championships in Saint-Omer, France, in August.
Irvine was originally scheduled to compete in 2020, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic put all competition on hold. “When were told the World Games were happening [in 2022] … we had some meetings and got together on Zoom and we talked about what the expectations were,” Irvine said. Despite some setbacks, such as team members leaving and the departure of their coach, the team regrouped and began training with visitors from New York and Texas. Irvine was selected as a member of the team in March.
The team held training camps and participated in a tournament called the Cup of the West with other U.S. canoe polo squads and a team from Canada. Members of the team local to the Bay Area trained every week at Shoreline Lake in Mountain View and the Berkeley Marina.
Going into the World Games, the team was up against some extremely tough competition. “They have programs that start as young as 7 years old, in schools and in universities,” Irvine said. Despite not winning any of their games, the team was able to overcome expectations. “We were more competitive than I think some people expected.”
Canoe polo ended up being the most popular event at the World Games, and Irvine said fans in attendance were highly appreciative and excited to meet members of the team. “We had people asking for our pictures, and someone asked for my autograph,” he exclaimed. “I was like, ‘You’re sure, right?’”
The following month, the team headed to France for the ICF World Championships, which featured a much greater number of teams and categories than the World Games. Team USA was grouped with teams from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Spain and Taipei, Taiwan. They had three wins total, defeating Hong Kong twice as well as Japan, and recorded a tie against Taipei. “We were actually winning [against Taipei] up until the last minute, and if we had beat them, we would have been in the top 12,” Irvine said.
After the improved performance at the World Championships, “We reflected on how the World Games was like a training session, preparing us for the World Championships,” Irvine said, adding that he felt happy with his performance after seeing the level of competition he and the team were up against and remembering aspects of his performance. “I had some huge, impactful moments on the team,” he said. “I was happy to have found a way to contribute.”
Tags: alumni-express, canoe polo, eweekly, express, FacultyOn July 3, beloved former upper school English teacher Marc Hufnagl passed away at his home in Switzerland following a brave battle with prostate cancer. He had been living in Switzerland with his husband, Juerg, after his retirement in 2016. He was accompanied by Juerg, his sister, Jan, and his dog, Nico, at the time of his death. “We are heartbroken from the loss of our beloved Marc, but we know he will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who knew and loved him,” Jan said.
Hufnagl joined Harker in 2001 and taught English at the upper school for 15 years. An avid musician and songwriter, he released multiple albums of original music, and in 2014 performed a selection of his own songs for students. He was a big fan of Joni Mitchell, as evidenced by the poster of the cover art from her album, “Hejira,” that he had hanging in his classroom. After his diagnosis, he contacted upper school English teacher Charles Shuttleworth to request that it be shipped back to him, which Shuttleworth graciously did.
“He was a great, great person,” said Shuttleworth.
During his time at Harker, Hufnagl commuted to his job from Oakland each day, just one example of his remarkable dedication to teaching. “In one of my last conversations with him, he said that he felt great pride in being part of this institution and in seeing the students excel the way they do while at Harker and after Harker,” said Jennifer Gargano, assistant head of school for academic affairs. “Knowing that he even had a small part in the students’ success filled him with great pride.”
A Caring Bridge page has been set up for people to leave dedications, and several Harker alumni have posted remembrances of their former teacher. “As a former student, he filled my heart with love for a subject I never thought I could love,” said Edward Sheul ’16.
Sahana Narayanan ’16, who is studying at the New England Conservatory for her master’s in jazz voice, said, “In my formative years, you modeled a contemplative life of endless artistic and spiritual self-inquiry. Thank you for your kindness and time.”
Those wishing to make a donation in Hufnagl’s honor have been asked to support Cancer Support San Francisco Bay Area and the Swiss Cancer League. A celebration of Hufnagl’s life is planned for Friday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. at the Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill, located at 1520 Lakeside Dr. in Oakland. As space is limited, attendees are encouraged to RSVP by emailing juero@att.net.
Tags: alumni-express, eweekly, express, Faculty, Marc HufnaglEvery year, Harker employees who have been with the school for five years receive a special pin as thanks for their years of service to the community. A new diamond is set into these pins every five years to signify the employees’ continued dedication. This year, 70 employees were honored by receiving new pins or having new diamonds placed.
They are:
45 Years
Carol Parris, Modern and Classical Languages Department Chair, Grades 1-8
40 Years
Mike Bassoni, Facilities Director
30 Years
Pete Anderson, Physical Education Department, Grades 6-8
Pam Dickinson, Director, Office of Communication
Georgie Maddams, Corporate Receptionist and Administrative Associate
Steve Martin, Executive Director of Food Service
25 Years
Heather Armada, Director of Transportation
Joe Chung, Director of ELI and LS Summer Activity Program
Brian Larsen, K-12 Production Manager and Upper School Technical Theater Teacher
Diana Moss, Spanish Teacher, Upper School,
Dan Rohrer, Facilities Manager, Lower School
Karriem Stinson, Assistant Athletic Director, Lower and Middle School
Larry Washington, Security Officer
20 Years
Anita Chetty, Science Department Chair, Grades 9-12
Beverley Manning, English Teacher, Upper School
Lisa Masoni, Latin Teacher, Middle School
Brigid Miller, English Teacher, Upper School
Raul Rios, Shipping and Receiving Associate, Upper School
15 Years
Victor Adler, Mathematics Teacher, Upper School
Melinda Gonzales, Academic Counselor
Patricia Andrews, Admission Associate, Middle School
Gayle Calkins, Assistant to Academic Counselors and MS Director of Global Education
Jeannette Fernandez, Mathematics Teacher, Upper School
Colin Goodwin, Grade 4 Teacher
Shelby Guarino, Grade 5 English Teacher
Matthew Harley, Biology Teacher, Upper School
Louis Hoffman, Instrumental Music Teacher, Lower School
Sandra Ignacio, Accounts Payable Specialist
Beatriz Justo, Kitchen Aide ll
Desiree Mitchell, Marketing Manager, Office of Communication
Jaron Olson, Director of Sports Medicine and Sports Performance
Alejandro Osorio, Tech Services Manager
Gustavo Parra Rivera, Catering Manager, Food Service
Pauline Paskali, English Department Chair
Jared Ramsey, Grade 5 U.S. History Teacher
Kate Schafer, Biology Teacher, Upper School
Troy Thiele, Director, Standardized Testing and Scheduling
Lauri Vaughan, Campus Librarian, Upper School
10 Years
Kellie Binney, Vocal Music Teacher Lower School
Imelda Cantu, Grade 1 Teacher
Katherine Chi, Kindergarten Teacher
Arabelle Chow, English Department Chair, Middle School
Chrissy Drummer, HR Generalist and Recruiting Specialist
Jennifer Hargreaves, Admission Director, Upper School
Marjorie Hazeltine, English Teacher, Middle School
Lorena Martinez, Director Enrichment and Supervision, Middle School
Rebecca McCartney, Senior Graphic Designer
Sejal Mehta, Grade 2 Teacher
Kristin Morgensen, Biology Teacher, Middle School
Lola Muldrew, Mathematics Teacher, Upper School
Charlie Ward, Cook ll, Food Service
Tor Warmdahl, Director of Security
Larissa Weaver, Grade 1 Teacher
Five Years
Michael Acheatel, Business and Entrepreneurship Teacher, Upper School
Rupa Banerjee, Kitchen Aide, Food Service
Andrea Bo, Grade 3 English Teacher
Peter Vaqueros, Custodian, Facilities Department
Paul Duran, Dishwasher, Food Service
Fred Nae, Bus Driver, Transportation Department
Isaiah Ornelas, Kitchen Aide, Food Service
Pamela Paredes, Teacher Aide, Lower School
Sara Pawloski, History and Social Science Teacher, Middle School
Kevin Reduta, Assistant Director Enrichment and Supervision, Middle School
Karmina Sanchez, Kitchen Aide, Food Service
Beth Wahl, English Teacher, Upper School
Katie Champlin, Theater Teacher, Middle School
Tags: express, FacultyIn late March, upper school English teacher Jennifer Siraganian was named the next Poet Laureate of Los Gatos. Over her three-year term, her duties will include planning an annual poetry program at the local library, engaging with a local school to promote poetry education and surveying poetry for a collection that will be submitted to the local library archives at the end of her term.
“I am thrilled, flattered and honored to be selected,” Siraganian said. “I’ve been an educator, poet and literary organizer for almost two decades, so when I saw the opening for Los Gatos Poet Laureate, I knew it was made for me.”
The application process included submitting a selection of her work and a letter of interest as well as reference letters. Upon being named a finalist, she interviewed with the mayor of Los Gatos and members of the city’s Library Board and Arts and Culture Commission. She was voted unanimously to be the city’s Poet Laureate. She was formally inaugurated on April 6 during the Los Gatos Town Council meeting.
Tags: eweekly, Faculty, tophumanitiesRaji Swaminathan, middle school science teacher, recently published the third book in her series about the elements, titled “The Halogens – Oh, So Reactive!” As with the previous two books, this book follows Atom and her dog, Electron, as they travel to visit the elements via a magic periodic table. The book is currently available to purchase through Amazon and will be available to download for free on April 5-6. The second book in the series will be available for free March 25-28 and April 5-6. Swaminathan’s other two books, “Hydrogen and the Alkali Metals” and “My Basketball Game – A Lesson about Accuracy and Precision,” are available as free downloads through Apple Books.
Tags: eweekly, express, Faculty, Science, topfaculty, topscience