Staff Moving on From the HRS Community

After a chaotic year, some Upper School staff have decided to move on from the School. Sunisa Manning, Ann Dubin, Katy Liang, Cara Pryor, Rachel Concannon, and the teaching assistants are among a few. In addition, Antonio Gallegos, Molly Gowen, Ann Murphy, Kathleen Ray, Carl Thiermann, and Corey Turoff will not be returning to campus next fall. These six teachers gave their thoughts on leaving the School below. 

Antonio Gallegos 

Facilities Manager, Middle and Upper School Soccer Coach

After 30 years at the School, Antonio Gallegos is moving on. He has spent nearly all of his career working at the School and has coached the middle and high school soccer teams for 25 years. When asked what he will miss about the School, Gallegos responded, “I’ve learned everything from here that I know, so I’m going to miss a lot. Friends, family, and people that I’ve known since they were little — now they’re graduated, got married, and have kids.” After he leaves, Gallegos will do similar work at local school St. Paul’s, where he also hopes to coach soccer. He says, “It was an opportunity that I was looking for. I’ve been here for 30 years, I’ve learned a lot. But I have to move on to the next stage to get better.” 

Molly Gowen 

Upper School Math, Assistant Cross Country Coach

After two years of teaching at the School, Molly Gowen will not be returning to campus next year. After she leaves, she plans to teach math at the Athenian School, where she worked for six years before coming to the School. She describes it as her “home” and says that while she enjoyed the School, she has realized she is happiest at Athenian. When asked what she will miss the most, Gowen responded, “My students! Not only in my math classes, but my advisees and XC runners.”

Ann Murphy

Middle and Upper School Art 

After teaching at the School for 10 years, Ann Murphy is leaving to focus on her own work. She has taught middle school, Beginning 2D, Advanced 2D, and Honors art classes. Murphy explains her decision to leave, saying, “It’s time for me to focus on my own artwork and spend my best energy in my studio and on my next art project.” But before focusing on her artwork, Murphy is going on what she describes as a “personal quest” to the Mississippi Delta, in order to study the region’s blues music and literature. When asked what she will miss from the School, Murphy said, “The students bring me joy, they make me laugh, and they have taught me a lot. So I will miss the students.”

Kathleen Ray

Middle and Upper School Drama

After 30 years at the School, Kathleen Ray is retiring. She teaches middle and upper school drama and directs many of the plays. She explains that she will miss getting students excited about drama, adding,  “I love the rehearsal process and figuring out how to make the show happen and how to get the kids involved in it.” After she leaves, Ray and her husband, who is also retiring, plan to travel and spend time with their family. Ray will continue to work as a board member of the Contra Costa Civic Theater. Additionally, she is considering returning to the School next spring to direct the musical and wants to help with the holiday program. Ray talks about her decision, made before the pandemic, saying, “It’s time. I love this place, but I’m old enough and I’ve been doing this for a long time.”

Carl Thiermann 

Assistant Head of School

After 44 consecutive years as an educator, Carl Thiermann has decided to move on. In his 29 years at the School, Thiermann has taught English, history, and typing. He has been the English Chair, Director of Studies, Scheduler, Upper School Head, and Assistant Head of School. Thiermann explains his decision to leave, saying, “I love Head-Royce but I can’t stay forever. You need to accept the different stages of life.” After leaving, Theirmann plans to write, travel, hike, and spend more time with his family. He is also planning on being involved in social and environmental causes. When asked what he will miss the most, Thiermann said,  “I’m going to miss everything and everyone—and especially my junior advisees!” 

 Corey Turoff 

Upper School History, Debate Coach

After working at the School for 15 years, Corey Turoff is leaving. He has been one of the Directors of Debate and a History 9 teacher for the majority of his career at the School, as well as teaching History 10 for a few years. Turoff chose to leave because he feels he has worked in the same positions at the School for long enough, and wants to move on. He was recently offered a full-time job with a software start-up, where he plans to work after he leaves. Turoff said, “I’m going to miss working with my colleagues… I think they’re awesome and wish them all the best.”