Harker School Teachers
Our teachers across our lower, middle, and upper school divisions are dedicated to nurturing an environment where students thrive academically and personally. Each stage of learning has its own unique approach, but all our teachers share a commitment to fostering curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.
At every level our teachers are dedicated to cultivating an engaging, supportive, and enriching environment that encourages students to reach their fullest potential. With their extensive knowledge and a commitment to student development, our teachers bring both expertise and passion to their classrooms, creating stimulating learning experiences tailored to each student's unique needs.
Lower School Teachers
In the lower school, our teachers craft a nurturing and challenging environment where students feel safe to explore their academic and personal interests.
Athletic Director
Theresa "Smitty" Smith
BIO
Lower and middle school athletic director Theresa "Smitty" Smith has been head coach of the girls varsity volleyball team since the upper school began in 1998. The Peninsula Times Tribune's High School Athlete of the Year in 1983, she was also later chosen for the 2007-08 Cambridge "Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women in Teaching and Education." Ms. Smith can often be found gardening, traveling to warm tropical places, working out or swimming.
- Started at Harker: 1990
- Ms. Smith played on the USA 1990 Amateur Olympic volleyball team, which won the gold medal in Australia
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Education:
- A.A. General Education, De Anza College
- B.S. Physical Education, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Gr. 1 Teacher
Larissa Weaver
BIO
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Larissa Weaver teaches first grade, which means her lessons run the gamut from homeroom, math, language arts and creative writing to character development, social studies and handwriting. Perpetually active, she especially loves to go kayaking and biking. Ms. Weaver is a self-proclaimed “regular” at Peets coffee!
- Started at Harker: 2009
- Ms. Weaver has completed nine half marathons and several triathlons
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Education:
- B.A. Secondary Education, University of Puerto Rico
- M.A. Early Childhood Education, Smith College
- CLAD Credential, Stanford University
Gr. 4-5 Geography & History
Tobias Wade
BIO
In addition to his role as a grade 4 world geography and grade 5 U.S. history teacher, Tobias Wade coaches several sports, including grade 5 flag football and grade 4 baseball. "I want my athletes to have good sportsmanship and have fun playing the game. Work hard and play hard, inspire those around you, and be a good leader." Mr. Wade's a spirited fan! His favorite sports teams are the Chargers, Warriors, Sharks, Giants and A's.
- Started at Harker: 2003
- Mr. Wade enjoys bike riding, golf, reading and hiking, and has recently gotten into four wheeling
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Education:
- B.A. Child and Adolescent Development, San Jose State University
Visual Arts
Gerry-louise Robinson
BIO
Irish native Gerry-louise Robinson has long been part of Harker international summer program, teaching arts and crafts. Ms. Robinson now teaches lower school art, and loves every creative minute!
- Started at Harker: 1999
- Ms. Robinson has taught in England, Australia, Ireland and the U.S.
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Education:
- B.A. (Hons) Related Arts & Art, West Sussex Institute of Higher Education (U.K.)
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, Cambridge University
Middle School Teachers
Our middle school faculty members are dedicated professionals who thrive on the energy and curiosity of early adolescents. They create vibrant, engaging classrooms that encourage students to explore their own interests while expanding their academic horizons.
History & Social Science
Ramsay Westgate
BIO
A Washington, D.C., native, Ramsay Westgate grew up in Boston and comes from a family of educators (including his wife, who teaches math). He has taught U.S. history at Harker for many years, and considers the Monterey Peninsula to be his happy place. In the past, Mr. Westgate has also coached middle and high school girls basketball.
- Started at Harker: in 2004
- Spent five years in France teaching at the American School of Paris
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Education:
- B.A. History, Dickinson College
- M.A.T. Humanities, Colorado College
History & Social Science
Keith Hirota
BIO
Keith Hirota is the chair of Harker’s middle school history and social sciences department. He’s also assistant coach of Harker's varsity softball team and a certified water safety instructor/lifeguard.
- Started at Harker: 1999
- Mr. Hirota born in Pennsylvania but raised in Hawaii
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Education:
- B.A. U.S. History, University of Hawaii at Manoa
- P.D. (Professional Diploma) Secondary Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Spanish
Julie Pinzás
BIO
Proud of her Peruvian heritage, Julie Pinzás has long taught Spanish at Harker, and serves as the chair of the modern and classical languages department for grades 1-8. She has volunteered at the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation in La Carpio, Costa Rico, where she takes students in the summer for Spanish language immersion.
- Joined Harker in 1993 (Time at Harker: 31 years)
- Ms. Pinzás once worked for two years with Dr. Theodore Sackett, the editor of "Hispania," a journal devoted to the teaching of Spanish and Portuguese.
- She practices Taekwondo and used to figure skate!
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Education:
- B.A. Spanish, University of Southern California
- B.A. International Relations, University of Southern California
- M.A. Hispanic Linguistics, University of Southern California
Mathematics
Kathy Pazirandeh
BIO
Kathy Pazirandeh has taught a wide range of subjects at Harker: pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, logic, earth science, life science and physical science. Her hobbies are also just as varied: She enjoys swimming, biking, hiking, reading, cooking, knitting and crocheting. A native of Iran, Ms. Pazirandeh also loves to travel the world and explore different cultures.
- Started at Harker: 2012
- She has lived in the capital cities of four different countries! (Tehran, Iran; London, U.K.; Berlin, Germany; Ottowa, Canada)
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Education:
- B.S. Applied Chemistry, Tabriz University
Upper School Teachers
Our upper school teachers invest deeply in each student's success, often working with academic counselors to personalize curriculum plans. Their dedication extends beyond the classroom, with many offering additional support during office hours to ensure students thrive academically.
Visual Arts
Pilar Agüero-Esparza
BIO
With extensive experience in arts education and administration, Pilar Agüero-Esparza has contributed to the development of the upper school’s visual arts department since 2006. Through teaching and in her own art practice, she values the power of the arts to transform lives, cultivate understanding, and foster social change.
- Started Harker: 2002
- Recipient of the 2023-2025 Fleishhacker Foundation’s Eureka Fellowship
- A Diversity Committee member and chaperone for the annual NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, Ms. Agüero-Esparza loves sharing the importance of DEI work!
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Education:
- B.A. Art, University of California, Santa Cruz
- M.F.A. Spatial Art, San Jose State University
Spanish
Diana Moss
BIO
A Bay Area native, Diana Moss grew up in Los Gatos and has taught Spanish for over three decades. Ms. Moss favors an approach to language learning in which students acquire language skills useful in everyday situations. She brings the Spanish language and culture alive in the classroom by maintaining a lively pace and utilizing a wide variety of content and activities.
- Started at Harker: 1996
- Ms. Moss has additional studies at the University of Madrid and Portland State University.
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Education:
- B.A. Spanish, University of California, Santa Barbara
- E.S.L. Certificate, San Jose State University
History & Social Science
Donna Gilbert
BIO
Donna Gilbert is the chair of the history and social sciences department at the upper school. She has also taught world history and ancient Greek and Roman history. Ms. Gilbert enjoys food, wine, travel, reading, design and art, and relaxing at home with her partner and dog.
- Started at Harker: 1998
- She was raised just outside of Washington, D.C.
- Ms. Gilbert is an avid San Francisco Giants fan who loves hiking, walking and golfing
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Education:
- B.A. Art History, Trinity College
- M.A. Classical Archaeology, Tufts University
- M.A.T. Teaching Education, Simmons College
Performing Arts
Laura Lang-Ree
BIO
Laura Lang-Ree has held leading or supporting roles in over 50 productions with companies around the Bay Area, and chairs Harker’s K-12 performing arts department, where she teaches acting and directs the annual upper school musical. Her book, “The Cancer Parent’s Handbook,” will be published next year.
- Started at Harker: 1995
- Ms. Lang-Ree loves to travel and is an avid scuba diver.
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Education:
- B.A. Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles
- M.A. Academic Theatre Arts, San Jose State University