Our highly qualified teachers are the cornerstones of our academic program.
Middle School Teachers
Our teaching team is the cornerstone of our middle school. Our teachers work with early adolescents because they are drawn to this dynamic age group, when students are uniquely curious about learning and exploring their own interests.
They also bring passion and expertise to their classrooms. Many of our teachers hold advanced degrees in their subject areas and participate in ongoing professional development. Others find time to actively contribute in their professional fields by publishing literary works or academic papers, performing on stage, or receiving artwork commissions.
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
Librarians
The library is one of the most popular hangouts here at Harker. We think it’s because our students appreciate that the library is an exciting place to deepen their love of learning.
Our inquiry-based teaching approach hinges on information literacy – knowing how to find, verify, use and cite information available in print and on the web. Teachers and library staff work collaboratively to augment classroom lessons with outside resources available in our extensive library.
In a world deluged with information, our information literacy program sets our students up for success as they move forward to high school and college where study and research skills are invaluable.
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. With a laptop for each student, we ensure that our students have access to the technological tools they need to succeed.
Professional Development
Teacher development is an essential component of our middle school program. Our teachers enjoy internal and external professional development opportunities including annual workshops, trainings and retreats. 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.