Performing Arts Director Cast in Local Production of ‘The Music Man’

In mid-October, K-12 director of performing arts Laura Lang-Ree was a cast member in Lyric Theatre’s production of “The Music Man.” She played Alma Hix, one of the four gossipy Pick-a-Little Ladies. “I have been missing creating a character from scratch,” said Lang-Ree, who spent several years as a singer with the Los Gatos/Saratoga Big Band. “It was time to go back to my musical theater roots.”

Sports Coaches Lend Expertise to Goals for Girls

This summer Theresa Smith, lower and middle school athletic director, and Brighid Wood, assistant to the athletic directors, helped host the Goals for Girls soccer clinic at Santa Clara University. Smith and Wood were joined by former U.S. Women’s National Team players Cindy Parlow Cone and Brandi Chastain, as well as Rebecca Crabb, a two-time national champion at the University of North Carolina. In 2007, Cone started Goals for Girls, which “connects girls from different countries and backgrounds with their peers around the world in a forum that addresses social and health challenges through cultural exchange and soccer,” stated Wood.

Upper School LID Director Named to CUE Board of Directors

This summer Diane Main, upper school director of learning, innovation and design, was named to the board of directors of Computer Using Educators. Founded in 1978, CUE is a nonprofit organization that seeks to inspire students via the use of technology in the classroom. The organization holds conferences each year where teachers can attend a wide variety of workshops designed to help them develop innovative teaching methods.

Science Department Chair Speaks at Anatomage Conference

In July Anita Chetty, upper school science chair, spoke at a users group meeting hosted by Anatomage, a 3-D medical imaging technology company. Its products include the Anatomage Table, which is currently being used by Harker science students.

Science Teacher Named to Woods Hole President’s Council

In late October, upper school science teacher Kate Schafer was invited to be a member of the President’s Council at the Woods Hole Research Center. The center, which helps develop policies to combat climate change, formed the council to advise its president and staff on strategy and management.

Upper School Head and Journalism Teacher Honored

Butch Keller, upper school division head, and Ellen Austin, upper school journalism teacher, were both honored at the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Indianapolis on Nov. 12. Keller was selected by The Journalism Education Association as its administrator of the year, an honor presented annually to school administrators who demonstrate outstanding support of school journalism programs. Austin was named one of this year’s Pioneer Award winners by the National Scholastic Press Association. Considered the NSPA’s highest honor awarded to journalism educators, the Pioneer Award recognizes “individuals who make substantial contributions to high school publications and journalism programs outside of their primary employment,” according to the NSPA website. To read more, search “journalism” at news.harker.org.