Faculty and Staff Directory

The La Jolla Country Day School faculty, administration and staff are strong, diverse and talented individuals who have been drawn together for a common purpose. Ours is a vibrant community with an exciting charge—to create a stronger, better place where our children and those of future generations can grow to become excellent individuals, citizens and adventurers of the world.

Below is a list of the administration, staff and faculty. To locate a member, click on the drop-down menus below to search by division, department or last name. Faculty and staff bios are also available below.

Faculty/Staff Directory

  • Photo of Emma Buttery
    Emma Buttery
    Administrative Assistant, LS
    (858) 453-3440 x161
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by supporting the needs of the students and faculty in the Lower School. I try to provide a space for all who come to the Lower School office to be heard and feel appreciated. Small actions can make a big difference in making the world a better and kinder place.”

    Emma Buttery is the Lower School administrative assistant. Her job includes greeting and assisting all who visit the Lower School office. She is always willing to jump in and help, whether out on the playground at recess or connecting with families to help students be successful throughout their day. Ms. Buttery makes sure the Lower School faculty feels supported so that they can create an environment for students to thrive.

    Before joining LJCDS in 2020, Ms. Buttery was an assistant supervisor in the education and conservation department at SeaWorld San Diego. She helped facilitate and build a curriculum for SeaWorld’s summer camps and field trip programs. Ms. Buttery partnered with San Diego Unified School District to help create SeaWorld’s Ocean Link Lab, a free program for middle school students, to help expose them to STEAM careers at SeaWorld and in San Diego. Ms. Buttery graduated from Cal State, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. She danced professionally for 10 years before retiring her pointe shoes to start a family. 

    In her spare time, Ms. Buttery likes spending time with her husband, Michael, and son, JP. She enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors in the beautiful San Diego sunshine. 
  • Photo of Briony Chown
    Briony Chown
    Head of Lower School
    (858) 453-3440 x120
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by hearing and elevating the voices and the work of young learners as they embark on their school journey. Lower School students can create work and have ideas that are meaningful, complex and have an impact on the world. I seek to honor that within the school and within our San Diego and global community.”

    Briony Chown believes that young children are capable of far more than most adults believe. She is delighted to be part of the La Jolla Country Day School community where the curiosity and talents of both students and educators are nurtured and students’ intellectual and social-emotional growth are always at the forefront.

    Ms. Chown is an experienced educational leader with a strong early childhood and elementary school background. Most recently, and since 2015, she has been the director of High Tech High Explorer Elementary in Point Loma. In addition, she has been a Grades 2–5 teacher. Originally from the United Kingdom, she has an undergraduate degree in literature and philosophy and a graduate degree in primary education, multiple subjects.

    Throughout her career, Ms. Chown led the redesign and oversight of a K–4 curriculum; shaped and developed schoolwide facilities; hired, mentored and evaluated faculty; designed and facilitated professional development for her school community. She is committed to the development and success of our youngest students in the classroom, on the playground and beyond.

    Originally from London, Ms. Chown enjoys theater, museums and the arts, although she is also now fully immersed in the San Diego lifestyle of paddleboarding, camping, hiking, yoga and brunch. She is a proud mother of twin boys born in 2017.
  • Photo of Maria Curtis
    Maria Curtis
    Director of the Early Childhood Center
    (858) 453-3440 x191
    Bio
     
    “I am inspired by the young child. Each time I enter their world to be a part of their learning, I fall in love with being an educator all over again. My goal is to support and create inclusive environments where children feel valued, respected and part of a community. I inspire greatness for a better world by helping the adults in children’s lives hear their voices, understand their feelings and learn the language of play.”

    Maria Curtis has dedicated her 32-year career to the early childhood field. She was the owner of a private day care, a preschool director and a teacher of children 18 months to 5 years old. In addition, Ms. Curtis has worked as a residential care worker at Polinsky Children’s Center, the county’s 24-hour emergency shelter for children under 6. Ms. Curtis started at La Jolla Country Day School as the head teacher/director and nursery teacher in the Early Childhood Center in 1997. She joined the administration team as the Lower School assistant director in 2006, which has allowed her to work with students and families from Tiny Torreys through fourth grade.

    Ms. Curtis studied human development at Pacific Oaks College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts with specialization in early childhood education. She continues her studies, researching the development of relationships among preschool girls and relational aggression. She received nine years of education from the San Diego Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, which validated her commitment to the social and emotional development of young children. Ms. Curtis raises awareness about topics pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion. She has participated in the (NAIS) People of Color Conferences among other professional development opportunities.
  • Photo of Rafael Eaton
    Rafael Eaton
    Director of Libraries
    (858) 453-3440 x165
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by guiding collective curiosity, by connecting us to new perspectives to create a dynamic worldview, and by supporting the informed asking of questions that drive our day-to-day lives.”
     
    Knowing how to competently navigate and utilize a world of information is the key to creating well-informed global citizens. Rafa Eaton’s goal is to provide guidance to students’ independent learning and self-discovery through the library’s digital and physical programming.
     
    Originally from Oregon, Mr. Eaton began his career at Portland State University and finished his Bachelor’s at The City College of New York, where he concentrated on English Literature and Judaic Studies. He received his Master’s Degree in Library Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Before joining La Jolla Country Day School, Mr. Eaton plied his trade across the US as a line cook and an archivist-trainee for the San Diego Museum of Us, Democracy Now! Productions, and Canyon Cinema.
     
    In his free time he [still] enjoys cooking for his wife and two sons.
 

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

La Jolla Country Day School

9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440

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