Grade 7 science teacher Raji Swaminathan recently published her second book about the elements, titled “The Alkaline Earth Metals – They Rock and Bone!” The illustrated book follows Atom, who is gifted a magical periodic table for her birthday and is transported (with her dog, Electron) to each element’s domain to learn more about them. The book, which also contains illustrations by Swaminathan, takes Atom to locations including Utah, California, Greece and Scotland. Proceeds from the book, which is available through Amazon, are being donated to children’s charities.
Earlier this year, upper school English teacher Charles Shuttleworth, a noted expert on the life and works of Beat generation author Jack Kerouac, was selected as the keynote speaker at this year’s Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival, which takes place Oct. 8-12. Shuttleworth’s lecture, titled “Kerouac: The Buddhist Years,” will be viewable throughout the festival, and he also will be holding a special Q&A session via Zoom at 11 a.m. PST on Oct. 10. Those who would like to participate in the Q&A are being asked to RSVP.
The Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival is held annually by the nonprofit organization Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! Inc., which was founded in 1985 and is based in Kerouac’s birthplace of Lowell, Mass., where he is also buried. The festival typically includes walking tours of places Kerouac mentioned and alluded to in his works, but is being held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the summer, Shuttleworth had an essay published in Beat Scene, and independent magazine dedicated to covering authors of the Beat Generation, such as Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Charles Bukowski.
Along with thousands of families throughout California, some of Harker’s faculty and staff also have been impacted by the devastating fires in the state. Many have been evacuated and are still working through the process of returning to their homes. Others have lost their homes. Please continue to look for community updates on fundraising efforts that support our Harker families. Two current efforts, organized by family and friends of impacted staff, are raising funds to help upper school English teacher Beverley Manning and lower school academic counselor Patty Marsette. Questions or other information on fundraising efforts can be sent to communications@harker.org.
At the end of each school year, Harker recognizes longtime employees with the presentation of gold pins for five-year full-time employees and a diamond inset for every five years thereafter. This year’s 67 recipients, honored at a ceremony on Thursday, are:
Five years Adam Albers – Pastry Chef, Food Service
Johnny Castro – Custodian ll, Facilities
Anuradha Datar – Computer Science Teacher, Upper School
Miran Eldeeb – Mathematics Teacher, Middle School
Christopher Hurshman – English Teacher, Upper School
Abigail Joseph – LID Director, Middle School
Mark Kocina – Photographer, Office of Communications
Christine Larita – Kitchen Aide, Food Service
Patty Marsette – Academic Counselor, Lower School
Sheva Momenian – Mathematics Teacher, Upper School
RaeAnn Prado – Assistant to College Counseling, Upper School
Erik Ruiz – Custodian, Facilities
Ronald Spitalere – Kitchen Aide ll, Food Service
Byron Stevens – History Teacher, Upper School
Mira Vojvodic – Mathematics Teacher, Lower School
10 years Tere Aceves – Director of Endowment Funding, Advancement
Greg Achten – Speech and Debate Teacher, Middle and Upper School
Meredith Cranston – Campus Librarian, Upper School
Nicole Hall – Administrative Services Manager
David Hart – Instrumental Music Teacher, Upper School
Samantha Hipol – Cook ll, Food Service
Kelly Horan – Academic Dean, Upper School
Mark Janda – History Teacher, Upper School
Sam Lepler, Business and Entrepreneurship Teacher, Upper School
Corey Newton – Internet Technology Services and Support Coordinator, Tech Department
Heather Russell – Grade 3 English Teacher, Lower School
Amira Townzen– Asst. Director Enrichment and Supervision, Lower School
15 years Miguel Aguilar – Custodian ll, Facilities Dept.
Mark Brada – Physics Teacher, Upper School
Enni Chen – Science Teacher, Lower School
Carlos Rojas Esquivel – Lead Groundskeeper, Facilities Department
Walid Fahmy – Physical Education Teacher, Lower School
Irene Gary – Payroll Specialist, Business Office
Melinda Gonzales – Director of the Annual Fund, Advancemenet
Maria Guadalupe Gonzales – Food Service
Carol Green – History Teacher, Upper School
Danielle Holquin – Director of Admission
Shaun Kelly Jahshan – Mandarin Teacher, Upper School
Lori Kohan – Academic Counselor, Upper School
Kevin Lum Lung – College Counselor, Upper School
Carlos Madrigal – Cook, Food Service
Dan Molin – Athletics Director, Upper School
Rodolfo Molina – Custodian, Facilities Dept.
Aarthi Ragupathy – Corporate Budget Manager ERP Administrator, Finance
Kimberly Sandoval – Kindergarten Teacher, Lower School
Jennifer Sandusky – Vocal Music Teacher, Upper School
Eileen Schick – Mathematics Lab Teacher, Lower School
Preeti Sharan – Information Systems Lead, Tech Department
Grace Wallace – Teacher and Grades 1-2 Department Chair, Lower School
20 years Evan Barth – Division Head, Middle School
Bob Benge – Copy Center Manager
Jeremiah Brewer – Physical Education Teacher, Middle School
Jeffrey Draper – Theater Teacher, Upper School
Danny Dunn – K-5 Technical Director
Kerry Enzensperger – Director of Community Service, Upper School
Jesse Lara – Director, Information Technology, PK-12
Marissa Lucketti – Human Resources Manager
Maria Parry – Security Officer
Bradley Stoll – Mathematics Teacher, Upper School
Jeff Sutton- Biology Teacher, Upper School
Kevin Williamson – Dean of Students, Upper School
25 years Darrin Cassidy – Assistant Director, Food Service
Diann Chung – Admission Director Lower School
Kathy Clark – Campus Librarian Lower School
Laura Lang-Ree – Director, Performing Arts, K-12
30 years Pete Anderson – Physical Education Department Chair, Grades 6-8
Gail Palmer – Dance Director, K-8 Lead Performing Arts Teacher
Theresa “Smitty” Smith – Athletic Director, Grades 4-8
Last week, Abigail Joseph, the middle school’s learning, innovation and design (LID) director, was named one of the first-ever recipients of the Computer Science Teachers Association’s Equity Fellowship. “I am part of a cohort of 10 educators from around the U.S. that are participants of the Computer Science Teachers Association organization’s inaugural Equity Fellowship,” Joseph said yesterday. “This is a true honor to be chosen out of 112 applicants, and I am happy to share my journey with all of you.”
The program provides various opportunities for career development to support efforts to increase equity in computer science education. “CSTA’s Equity Fellowship is a selective, year-long program that elevates educators who have demonstrated success in disrupting the disparities impacting females, underrepresented students of color, English language learners, and students with special needs in order to bring their inclusive teaching practices and leadership to educators across the country and around the world at the 2020 CSTA Annual Conference,” according to the organization’s website.
This story originally appeared in the summer/spring 2019 issue of Harker Magazine.
Pauline Paskali teaches three courses at the upper school: regular and AP American Literature, and Genre Studies. Her love of language and literature are evident even in casual conversation, and she’s known not only for imparting that passion to her students, but for her warmth and kindness. But people may not know of her deep love for nature – “[its vastness] always challenges me and inspires me to carry on,” she says – or that she has two pet chickens, Clementine and Guinevere. Raised in Connecticut and Massachusetts, this East Coast transplant tells Harker Magazine a few more fun facts about herself.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Let go of what is beyond your control.
What are you good at? I often find myself in the role of backup photographer at weddings and gatherings of friends and family. The distance and intimacy created by my DSLR lens enables me to capture something essential about the people I love.
What do you love most about your life? Most people have to go to work every day, but I still get to go to school. Who doesn’t love being in an environment full of curious and kind people, young and old?
What is something interesting about you that almost no one knows? I spent my junior year of high school living with a French family in a country house outside of Rennes. I discovered there my passion for walking and for butter.
Where is the one place in the world that you like to escape to? Whenever I need a reboot, I return to the place I spent my summers as a child, a tiny village in the rugged Pindus Mountains of northern Greece.
What is your most treasured object and why? Recently we discovered a book containing a poem my father had written when he was in his early 20s. No one in my family knew about his writing. Reading his verse brought back to life the young man who long ago reluctantly immigrated to America to assuage the pangs of hunger.
This story originally appeared in the spring/summer 2019 issue of Harker Magazine.
Walid Fahmy is a busy man at the lower school! He teaches health and P.E., and coaches after-school football, basketball, soccer and baseball, in addition to being a grade 5 homeroom teacher and the Spirit & Service Club coordinator. This Oakland native’s favorite things in the world are his two young sons, Marino and Rocco, but he also gets a lot of satisfaction volunteering for youth programs at his church and escaping to the beach to swim or lay in the sun. He tells Harker Magazine about a few more of his favorite things.
What do you like to do when you finally have a block of free time? Travel, travel, travel! I have been to 15 countries and would like to add to that.
What makes you feel like a kid again? Going to Disneyland with my boys and enjoying the rides, wearing Mickey Mouse ears and eating sugar all day!
What is something one of your parents said that you will never forget? My dad told me, “God gave you two ears, one mouth; so listen twice as much as you talk.”
What is something interesting about you that almost no one knows? I eat raw meat. Completely raw. I season it and never cook it.
What is the best compliment someone can give you? I truly appreciate when someone compliments my loyalty. I feel that loyalty is a strong character trait – evident in the fact that I have been with Harker for 22 years now!
What is your most treasured memory? Delivering my firstborn son. Mine actually were the first hands to touch him. That makes me very happy!
This story originally appeared in the spring/summer 2019 issue of Harker Magazine.
Ask a middle school student or colleague to sum up Cyrus Merrill in a few words and you might get “laughter,” “enthusiasm,” “energy” or, most likely, “Hawaiian shirts!” It may come as no surprise to learn he was his college’s mascot (a big blue sagehen). Merrillteaches grade 8 U.S. History and coordinates the grades 5-12 Future Problem Solving clubs, and is known for crafting engaging and humorous lessons. He says his 2-year-old daughter helps him remember that simple joys and laughter may be found in seemingly insignificant things. It’s clear from his chat with Harker Magazine that this enthusiasm for life and adventure runs through everything he does and shines on the students lucky enough to be in his classes.
What would constitute a perfect day for you? A day where my students were incredibly enthusiastic and took an idea I gave them to another level. I love the question, “Can I do this other thing instead … and here is why?”
What is an experience you’ve had that few others have experienced? I was once shipwrecked on a freighter off the coast of Madagascar.
For what are you most proud of yourself? I gave up a fellowship to Cambridge and instead somehow found the patience to sit for days on end sculpting rocks in Zimbabwe. I have the sculptures at home to remind me.
What is the best compliment someone can give you? “Thank you … you made me believe and convinced me something was possible.”
What is your most treasured memory? Finding dinosaur bones at age 10 with my geology professor father and his close paleontologist friend (who happened to make his biggest discovery – now on display – that very day).
This story originally appeared in the spring/summer 2019 issue of Harker Magazine.
Middle school math teacher Margaret Huntley moved to the U.S. eight years ago from her native Australia, leaving behind her parents and six siblings. Though she cites this as the biggest risk she’s ever taken, she has created a happy life here with her also-Australian husband and their 1-year-old daughter. Passionate about the outdoors, she loves cycling in the hills, going to the beach – “anywhere I can be totally by myself in nature.” Read on for more interesting facts Harker Magazine discovered about Huntley!
When did you first really feel like an adult? The first time I filled out a tax return.
What gives you a reason to smile? The little things: a sunrise walk, a picnic lunch, a blossom tree. There are so many reasons to smile if you look for them.
Brag about something. I can still do round-off back handsprings!
If you had $100 million in the bank, what would your day look like? Much like it does right now. I’d still be teaching at Harker. I think I’d fly business class when I travel, though!
What helps you persevere when you feel like giving up? Knowing that even things that seem insurmountable and unachievable are not the end of the world. If something really needs to get done, it will get done; if I don’t get it done, then I guess it wasn’t that important.
What does your inner child want? To cuddle up with a teddy bear.
Debra Nott, Harker’s director of nursing, was awarded the 2019 Excellence in School Nursing Administration Award by the California School Nurses Organization in mid-February. “Debra’s dedication to student health and excellence in school nursing practice is an inspiration to her peers and colleagues throughout the state,” said Sherri Vitali, state awards and scholarship chair for the California School Nurses Organization. “CSNO is very proud of Debra and her many accomplishments.” The award was presented at the 2019 CSNO conference in Monterey in front of 600 of Nott’s peers.