Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Daniella Aviles

Educator, US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x242

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by exposing students to different perspectives and experiences so they can develop empathy for people in their community and around the world. I hope that speaking another language will inspire my students to engage with people from different backgrounds and discover and learn about the wonderful diversity that surrounds them. I want to inspire them to be respectful of other people and cultures, and I hope that they continue to challenge different ideas about the world around them.”

Daniella Aviles aims to create an environment where students are excited to discover the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. She encourages students to speak a second language because that will allow them to understand and respect different perspectives. She hopes that students in her classes gain a cultural understanding of the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world as well as students’ very own communities.

Originally from Lima, Perú, Ms. Aviles studied Spanish and history at San Diego State University. She had the opportunity to study culture and language at the University of El Salvador in Argentina. Ms. Aviles participated in Tsinghua University’s Summer Service Program in rural China and spent the summer traveling and learning about Chinese culture. She received the TINKER grant to conduct research in Perú in 2010 and earned a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of California, San Diego. She started her career in education at UCSD, teaching Spanish.

In her spare time, Ms. Aviles likes to spend time with family and watch movies. She enjoys baking sweet treats and traveling to different places around the world, where she can meet different people and try new foods.
Beth Cross

Educator, US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x304

Bio

“I inspire greatness by encouraging those around me to not be afraid to communicate with others in any capacity.”

By evaluating and continually updating the curriculum, Beth Cross provides students with Spanish courses that challenge them and keep them productive. She strives to improve their abilities to listen, read, speak and write. Upon completion of each level, Profe Cross wants her students to meet national standards of communication as established by the American Council of Teaching Foreign Languages. She prepares them to be the best global citizens they can be because language teachers are not merely teaching the language but the cultures they represent.

At 16, Profe Cross spent her junior year of high school in Argentina. It was there she fell in love with the Spanish language and immersing herself in another culture. She studied Spanish education at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she had yet another opportunity to study abroad, spending second semester junior year at the Universidad de Valladolid in Spain. Profe attended graduate school at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she received her master’s in intercultural communications. Since 2003, she has taught high school Spanish. Profe currently teaches Spanish III, Spanish IV and Spanish Cinema. She also facilitates the Freshman Health and Wellness program.
Wendy Liu Ph.D.

Educator, US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x353

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by fostering a deep understanding and appreciation of languages and cultures, encouraging my students to become compassionate, open-minded global citizens who can bridge cultural gaps and contribute positively to our interconnected world.”

Wendy Liu joined LJCDS in 2024 with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. She completed her undergraduate studies in language teaching at Hunan Normal University in China and subsequently taught at a college before moving to the U.S. in 2008. Dr. Liu earned a master’s degree in multilingual and multicultural education from Florida State University and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park. Passionate about teaching, Dr. Liu aims to make learning Mandarin a joyful and engaging experience for her students, creating lasting memories.

Dr. Liu is an avid traveler and has explored Paris, Mexico City, and numerous destinations in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Soldiers. In her leisure time, she delights in sitcoms and comedies that bring a hearty laugh. Dr. Liu’s hobbies include playing the piano, singing Chinese opera, and keeping active with Zumba, yoga, and hiking. She co-authored three parenting books in Mandarin with her husband Yi, sharing their personal stories of raising a bilingual and bicultural family in the U.S.
Eva Power

Educator, US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x303

Bio

“Through the study of languages and cultures, students embark on a journey of self-discovery. They develop an understanding of diverse perspectives and become better equipped to explore on their own. By challenging my students to think differently, to wonder, and to celebrate the universality of thought, I aim to inspire greatness, curiosity, reflection and empathy for a better world.”

Eva Power has been teaching at La Jolla Country Day School since 2000. She is the Upper School World Language chair and teaches Spanish. Born and raised in Spain, Ms. Power speaks Spanish, French, German and English. In addition to her linguistic background, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in international business from Regents College in New York, and in Spain, she earned the degree of Técnico de Empresas y Actividades Turísticas from La Escuela Oficial de Turismo and studied Máster en Gerencia Hotelera from El Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. What Ms. Power loves most about LJCDS is the close relationships with her students and her wonderful colleagues. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t feel privileged to be part of this community.

Ms. Power is a lifelong learner who loves discovering new fields of study. Her Kindle is a cacophony of genres, themes and languages. She is an avid reader who also loves hiking, surfing, skiing, dancing, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Ronnie, and two sons, LJCDS lifers Málik ’17 and Kían ’21.
Nathalie Rachel-Gueirard

Educator, US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x260

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by immersing my students in a Francophone world on a daily basis and thus broadening their horizons. I firmly believe that a better world is a world of peace, tolerance, cooperation, aid and mutual understanding of one another’s cultures and languages.”

Nathalie Rachel-Gueirard’s role and purpose is to educate young minds, open their eyes to the rest of the world, and help them become outstanding world citizens. In her classes, students not only discover the richness and complexity of the French language but also discuss traditions, history, current societal issues, politics, art and literature.

Ms. Rachel-Gueirard started teaching French in a German high school while working toward her master’s degree. After moving to the United States, she worked as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene. She spent 13 years at the University of California, San Diego, teaching both French and German. She also translates documents and has taught French to engineers working for a French company as well as German to Navy Seals’ commanders.

In her spare time, Ms. Rachel-Gueirard loves planning her next European summer adventures. She also enjoys watching movies, reading in different languages and painting. She is the proud mother of two daughters who have been on several study-abroad programs with UCSD and the University of Michigan in Europe, and who envision careers in the international and humanitarian sectors.
Sandra Revilla-Harker

Educator, US Spanish

(858) 453-3440 x328

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by internationalizing the curriculum to produce global citizens. I also strive to create a community of trust for all students, encouraging them to take risks, foster curiosity and become lifelong learners.”

Sandra Revilla-Harker, M.A.T., teaches Upper School Spanish. She provides an environment to develop educated, multicultural, risk-takers and curious leaders who can anticipate and respond effectively to a rapidly changing world.

Profesora Revilla was born and raised in Arequipa, Peru. She earned a Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Portland and has more than 10 years of teaching experience. She taught both Spanish as a second language and for heritage speakers. Profesora Revilla also taught high school in Portland, Oregon and in Silicon Valley, and has worked as a lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Profesora Revilla loves reading about different cultures, going to the beach, spending time with her family, cooking, baking, doing art with her kids, traveling and “glamping.” Some of her favorite books include Aura by Carlos Fuentes, El país de las mujeres by Gioconda Belli and En el tiempo de las mariposas by Julia Alvarez.

Profesora Revilla and her husband, Rick, have two kids; Valentina and Joaquin. Her favorite quote is “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Alina Rozas

Educator, US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x403

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by celebrating all cultures and teaching students about the importance of respecting, appreciating and honoring other heritages and traditions.”

Alina Rozas believes that all students have talents and strengths to achieve their personal and academic goals, and she encourages them to always work at their highest potential.

As an Upper School Spanish educator, Profe Rozas likes to instill in her students the passion for learning Spanish and grants them the confidence to use it both in their community and abroad. She engages students to learn in a pleasant and safe environment where taking risks and making mistakes are part of the learning process. Profe Rozas believes that learning a foreign language, and the culture involved in it, makes people more open-minded and compassionate, characteristics that all future leaders should have.

Profe Rozas was born and raised in Madrid where she earned her master’s degree in agricultural engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Once she started teaching Spanish, Profe Rozas discovered a new passion and pursued a second master’s degree in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language.

Before joining LJCDS in 2022, Profe Rozas taught at the Rhoades School in Encinitas, National University in San Diego, King’s Training in Madrid, and the Awty International School in Houston. During her career, Profe Rozas has taught students in grades 6–12, college and adults.

One of Profe Rozas’ greatest joys as an educator is to hear back from former students studying abroad in Spanish-speaking countries.
Scott Sanders

Educator, US History and World Language; Coach - Cross Country

(858) 453-3440 x248

Bio

“As a teacher, coach, advisor and trip leader at La Jolla Country Day School, I provide opportunities for student experience, knowledge, growth and leadership in the classroom, on local running trails, and on hiking trails in Utah. I support and encourage students as they discover the greatness around them and within themselves.”

Scott Sanders has worn many hats during his tenure at LJCDS. Currently, he teaches French and History, coaches cross country, and leads the EE trip to Southwest Utah. His two children, Ethan ’21 and Logan ’22, are both Country Day “lifers” now enjoying college in Oregon and New York.

Mr. Sanders has coached the cross country teams since 1999 and has been head coach since 2001. During this time, the teams have won a combined 18 CIF and 15 Coastal Conference championships and finished as runners-up seven times at CIF and nine times in the conference. The women’s team has competed at the State meet 12 times, with four top-10 finishes. The men’s team has made 17 appearances, with five top-10 finishes, including third place in 2012 and 2013. Coach Sanders was named San Diego section Boys Coach of the Year in 2013. A season highlight for Coach Sanders is the annual Alumni Run.

Summers as a camp counselor inspired Mr. Sanders to pursue a teaching career. After a junior year in Paris and graduation from Washington & Lee University, he began teaching at a boarding school in Maine. A master’s in French from Middlebury College soon followed. Before joining the LJCDS faculty in 1998, Mr. Sanders taught in Los Angeles and also spent a year teaching in Colorado, where he developed an abiding love for the Denver Broncos, trail running, and skiing. Additionally, he likes to travel with his family, hang out with his dogs, take lots of pictures, read, hike, and eat sushi.
Lillian Sung

Educator, MS and US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x320

Bio

“I inspire greatness by immersing my students in a foreign language and culture.”

Lillian Sung believes her experience and training have enabled her to evaluate diverse teaching styles from a unique perspective. In her own teaching, she strives to strike a balance between traditional and liberal methods. While Ms. Sung places a high value on maintaining classroom discipline and fostering hard work, she also tries to create an environment where students take joy in learning and feel comfortable participating in class. Ms. Sung appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community by sharing her knowledge and cultural heritage with students at La Jolla Country Day School.

Ms. Sung grew up in Taiwan, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She came to the United States to pursue her master’s degree in linguistics, with a focus on teaching Chinese as a second language. She later received a California single-subject teaching credential in Mandarin. Prior to joining LJCDS in 2011, she worked as a Chinese instructor at Palomar College.

Ms. Sung’s favorite quote is by Scott Hayden: “Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners and the love of bringing the first two loves together.”
Maya Torres

Educator, MS and US World Language

(858) 453-3440 x355

Bio

“I inspire greatness by helping my students dream about new adventures in various parts of the world, by opening their eyes to other cultures, and by encouraging them to think beyond themselves, thereby acquiring the gifts of empathy and compassion for others. I give my students the opportunity to make mistakes and realize that taking risks will make them better learners, helping them to grow stronger and go further.”

Maya Torres has a Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages and civilizations from La Sorbonne, in Paris, as well as a TESOL/TEFL/TESL certification from Oxford Seminars in New York City.

As La Jolla Country Day School’s Middle School and Upper School French teacher, Ms. Torres has a passion for foreign languages that expresses itself in sensitivity and compassion to the needs of students. Ms. Torres appreciates the reduced class size at LJCDS, which provides her the opportunity to genuinely connect with each one of her students.

Ms. Torres joined LJCDS in 2011. She has taught French I, French II, French III and French III Honors in the Upper School. She has also taught Spanish 1A and 1B in Middle School, as well as French 1A and French 1B.

Before working at LJCDS, Ms. Torres was a dance teacher and traveled extensively, teaching in four different languages. Ms. Torres’ language proficiency in English, French, Spanish and Arabic provides her with the desire to teach these skills in the most sincere and compassionate way. She also shares her facility and love for languages by raising her three young sons in trilingual fluency. In her spare time, she enjoys the practice of martial arts with her family, salsa dancing, reading, experimenting with new recipes from different cultures, baking, hiking and traveling.