Our highly qualified teachers build the academic foundation of our students’ young minds.
Lower School Teachers
Together, our teachers create a learning environment that’s stimulating, supportive and safe. They challenge students to be their best selves, encouraging them to push their academic boundaries and discover new interests.
With rich learning environments, leading-edge instructional technology and powerful support staff including administrators, librarians and learning specialist, our teachers have the tools they need to give your child an excellent academic experience. Many of our teachers hold advanced degrees in their subject areas and participate in ongoing professional training in areas such as child development.
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
Librarians
Information literacy is the cornerstone of our academic curriculum. When our students visit the library as a part of our lower school curriculum, they learn that intellectual curiosity is cool and the library is a fun and exciting place.
As students progress through the lower school, our information literacy curriculum advances with them. While our youngest students are learning through active play in the library, our fourth and fifth grade students are learning to research, cite and report on information found with our extensive library resources. With our librarians serving as an extension of our teaching staff, there’s always a knowledgeable instructor available to help students with research projects.
We are continually impressed by the caliber and professionalism of the entire teaching and administrative staff at The Harker School. It has been wonderful to observe the growth and progression of our two daughters during their first years at this unique institution.
Steve Harris, parent
Technology Specialists
At Harker we teach students how to use technology meaningfully and effectively to explore deeply, solve problems and represent information and data in new ways. Through intentional and targeted technology integration into our curriculum, our technology specialists help teachers use these tools to increase student knowledge and open doors to discovery.
Professional Development and Support
Teacher development and support is an essential component of our lower school program. Our teachers enjoy internal and external professional development opportunities. With the support of our librarians, technology staff, counselors and learning specialist, our teachers have the in-house support they need to devote their energy to creative and caring classroom teaching. Our own Vegesna Foundation Teacher Excellence Program allows selected faculty to travel the U.S. and abroad to hone skills they can bring back to their classrooms.