Lionel Harkabe

Lionel Herkabe doesn't have a single, specific degree revealed in the series; it's mentioned that he holds two doctorates from Harvard University and also studied at Princeton. Before becoming the Krelboynes' tutor, he worked as a government analyst and amassed a fortune of $200 million with an internet company before losing it all.

However, Herkabe's cunning and despicable nature return to haunt him when Malcolm reveals his terrible secret: skipping gym class and hiding it for years from Mr. Hodges, the principal of North High School. Herkabe decides to take one last semester of gym class to regain his title after being disqualified. However, Reese, out of gratitude to his brother and in revenge for all the humiliations he had suffered, throws dodgeballs at him, and even the class joins in. After this, he is never seen again.

Despite his generally unlikeable demeanor, Herkabe has a more sensitive side, where his hardened personality might be masked by good intentions. In his first appearance (Emancipation), although he seems cruel to the Krelboynes, he makes them work hard, stating that he won't allow them to fall into the traps society has set for them. He reveals that, like the Krelboynes, he was pampered and treated as a gift because of his talents, and that he is capable of anything, only to lose it all and become bitter and hardened. He is likely dealing with deep depression and loneliness, as hinted at in Reese's Job. He was using Barton to achieve great things and regain everything he had lost through him, but when Barton's parents wanted him transferred, Herkabe was saddened by his departure, as were his wife and all of his therapists.

Herkabe is a manipulative, vile, hateful, and despicable man who shows a complete lack of respect for his students. He attacks them with insults and offensive comments that focus primarily on their intelligence and overwhelms them with countless mental challenges that are far too much for them. However, Malcolm is the only one who seems to withstand Herkabe's psychological abuse, because he suffered something similar at the hands of Lois.