Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Vanessa Calderon

Director of Finance

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Bio

“My duty to inspire greatness is twofold: As a La Jolla Country Day School parent, I strive to provide a home environment that values and exemplifies continued lifelong learning both academically and socially. As an LJCDS employee, I ensure that the financial data used to create our financials is reliable and accurate for making business decisions and that our organization’s resources are used for the purposes intended.”

Vanessa Calderon, a native San Diegan, earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration-finance from California State University, San Marcos, and a Master of Science in forensic accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to joining LJCDS in 2015, she spent 10 years working in various accounting roles at financial institutions. Ms. Calderon is an associate member of the national and local chapters of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and is currently studying to take the Certified Fraud Examiners exams.

Ms. Calderon was thrilled at the opportunity to use her education and experience to work for an independent school. In her role, she hopes to share her accounting knowledge and implement updated processes and internal controls while safeguarding the school’s assets.

Ms. Calderon is a parent to three Torreys—Kaiya ’27, Evie ’29 and Ozzy ’37. During her free time, her hobbies include photography, sewing, baking and cooking.
Jacqueline Calvillo

Administrative Assistant, Business Office

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by supporting LJCDS’ business office in creating a welcoming environment where faculty and staff can access the tools they need to reach their professional goals. I lead with kindness in hopes of inspiring connection and understanding in others.”

Jacqueline Calvillo joined the LJCDS community in 2022 because she has a passion to work in an educational setting where educators are appreciated, leaders feel supported, and students are inspired to make an impact on the world, big or small. She supports the day-to-day functions of the business office, assisting human resources and organizing supplies for the bookstore.

Ms. Calvillo earned her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. She worked for the County of San Diego, supporting individuals and families seeking public assistance through government programs and community services. In her role with the Health and Human Services Agency, she assisted San Diego County residents who were experiencing food insecurity, financial hardship and homelessness. She learned to keep dignity and consideration at the forefront of the customer service she offered.

Ms. Calvillo is a lifelong learner and is most excited to be surrounded by inspiring individuals making an impact on future generations. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, painting, long walks and road trips along the California Coast.
Santiago Camacho

Coach - Volleyball

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Meghann Carpenter

Associate Educator, Kindergarten

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by creating an environment of encouragement and support to help our youngest minds grow excitement for learning. From learning how to grow in friendships to viewing the world in new ways, kindergarten helps to lay the foundations for a child’s education. By fostering a mindset of curiosity and wonder about everything they are learning, I hope to build our students up to be problem solvers and persistent learners.”

Meghann Carpenter believes that modeling empathy and engaging students’ strengths and interests help to build an environment where every student can succeed. As an associate teacher in the kindergarten classroom, Mrs. Carpenter leads her class in lessons and activities that draw on students’ creative abilities and builds relationships to connect with students on a personal level.

Mrs. Carpenter graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2014 with a degree in teaching. Since then, she served her community as a nanny and an assistant kindergarten teacher at La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School before joining the LJCDS family in 2021 as part of the Extended Day team for kindergarten. In 2022, she stepped into the role of kindergarten associate educator.

In her free time, Mrs. Carpenter enjoys soaking in every minute with her young daughter, playing games with friends, going to the beach, and trying new restaurants and coffee shops.
Patrick Casey

Educator, US Humanities

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by teaching my students about how history can empower people to think deeply and critically, make connections across time, and form evidence-based arguments. As a coach, I inspire greatness on the court and beyond by building a culture of trust, commitment and care into everything we do.”

Patrick Casey, MAT, believes that a solid education can open up many opportunities. He came to LJCDS because of its long legacy of having a vibrant community of faculty, staff and students that consistently excels. Mr. Casey first got into teaching because he believes that education can be a powerful tool to break barriers of inequity and can be a means to empower students. He has a heart for service and advocacy. Being a teacher and coach allows him to help students of all backgrounds pursue a meaningful future and encourage them to positively impact the world around them.

Mr. Casey played college basketball while earning a Bachelor of Arts in history and religious studies from Davidson College in North Carolina. He earned a Master of Arts in teaching from St. Louis University while also completing the two-year Teach for America program. Mr. Casey worked at an inner-city school focused on advocating for educational equity across the region and country.

In his free time, Mr. Casey enjoys spending time with his wife, hiking and trying to find the best coffee shops in each city that he and his wife visit.
Cassandra Castillo

Assistant Educator, ECC Jr. Kindergarten

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping shape the minds of our future generations. The first five years of life are the most crucial, and I feel I was meant to be in as many children’s lives as possible to help them discover their full potential as young children.”

Cassandra Castillo believes that all children are capable and competent and thrive in an environment where they are provided with boundless opportunities and surrounded by educators who love and support them. Her passion for teaching young children started back in high school with a child development internship program. After working with multiple schools throughout high school, she gained a love for early childhood education and decided to pursue her passion for educating young children.

After graduation, Ms. Castillo enrolled in child development classes at a community college, where she received an associate’s degree in child development. She has taught at different preschools in San Diego over the years and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in family and human development at Arizona State University.
Carmy Cesaire

Educator, Physical Education; Coach - Football, Basketball

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by guiding tomorrow’s leaders through the development of perseverance, accountability, integrity and enthusiasm, and being a part of something greater than oneself. These qualities will inspire La Jolla Country Day School’s students to shape their communities and strive for a better world.”

Carmy Cesaire is in his first year as a physical education instructor at LJCDS. He joined the football program in the 2011 season as a running back/linebacker coach and spent the 2012 season as the JV head coach and offensive coordinator at Scripps Ranch High School. Coach Cesaire returned to the Torrey sidelines for the 2013 season as varsity offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. The 2014 season saw the Torreys capture their first 11-man football CIF Division V Championship. Since 2013, the Torreys offense has rewritten the record books, setting 24 combined game, single-season and career records. Coach Cesaire begins his first season as the JV head basketball coach, after spending the past three years coaching basketball at Scripps Ranch High School.

Coach Cesaire moved out West from Massachusetts, where he was teaching special education. He also coached football and basketball at his alma mater, Fitchburg State University (D-III), from 2005–2011. Coach Cesaire has also served as a camp director and camp counselor. He was also involved with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).

Coach Cesaire was a three-year starter and two-year captain for the FSU football team, setting numerous program records. He ranks among the program’s all-time leaders, posting 132 receptions, 2,036 yards and 16 career touchdowns.

Coach Cesaire lives in Scripps Ranch with his wife, Dianne, daughters Yazmine (18) and Gabrielle (9), son Quentin (7) and bulldog Winston (3).
Alex Chachas
Briony Chown

Head of Lower School

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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.
Molly Cleere

Educator, Grade 4

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students gain the confidence and skills to make a difference in the world. I empower students to grow academically, socially and emotionally. It is my goal to capture each student’s natural sense of wonder and ignite their joy of learning so they will commit to a lifetime of learning.”

Molly Cleere believes that education is the one tool that has the ability to solve the world’s greatest challenges. She knows that all students have unlimited potential to learn and educating students at LJCDS is a tremendous honor and responsibility. As the Lower School science educator, Mrs. Cleere strives to help students uncover who they are and how they learn.

Mrs. Cleere earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Bucknell University where she majored in Elementary Education and Spanish. She also received her Master of Education from Vanderbilt University specializing in English Language Learners. Mrs. Cleere taught fourth and fifth grade in upstate New York for 10 years before moving to San Diego. During that time, she was selected as a New York State Master Teacher and was an active participant in the statewide STEM program.

In her free time, Mrs. Cleere enjoys traveling, spending time with family, playing golf, watching sports, reading and playing board games.
Wendy Clemente

Educator, LS Music

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Bio

“I inspire greatness by helping children find their voice. A child who sings with confidence and joy will always know how to share their ideas and empower others to use their voices as well. I believe that the singers in my classroom are on their way to becoming citizens who will live their lives out loud.”

Since 2003, Wendy Clemente has taught general and vocal music in the Lower School. Beginning with the first graders, she enjoys watching her students explore musical expression and find their voices. She believes that all humans are musical and that early music experiences can build skills that will set up a lifetime of music-making. In the Middle and Upper School, Ms. Clemente works as the theater costumer, designing and dressing shows, while also teaching and mentoring costuming students in the theater tech program.

A life-long Californian, Ms. Clemente always knew that she wanted to be a music teacher. She grew up singing regularly in church and began piano lessons at age 9. In high school, she began performing in musical theater while also interning for a small-label fashion designer. She spent a year studying music and theater in England, toured Western Europe as a soloist, and finally graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education. Ms. Clemente began her first teaching job in Bozeman, Mont., and then relocated to San Diego, teaching music and English at Escondido Adventist Academy for 11 years. She continues to perform as a soprano and conducts various choral organizations, including the La Jolla Renaissance Singers, the UCSD Geisel Library Toy Piano Duo, Bach Collegium–San Diego, St. Paul’s Cathedral, La Jolla Playhouse, and the La Sierra University Vocal Octet Alumni. On weekends, she serves as music director at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Escondido. In 2019, she was selected as the La Jolla Rotary Club Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Clemente spends her spare time sewing costumes and apparel for herself and family members, cooking gourmet vegetarian food, reading, and traveling with her husband, two adult children (who both attended LJCDS), two cats and a very spoiled beagle.
Rachel Clouser Ed.D.

Assistant Head of Upper School

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by encouraging others to find the best in themselves and to share that greatness with others to improve our world. We all have the potential for greatness, and it is important to me that everyone in our community believes in themselves.”

Rachel Clouser joined the LJCDS community in fall 2017 as the dean of academics and student life for students in Grades 9 and 10 after previously working at Brentwood School and The Webb Schools. Since then, Dr. Clouser has been named assistant head of Upper School for student life and faculty enrichment.

She loves seeing students both inside and outside of class as they challenge themselves academically, athletically and artistically. The school’s belief in inspiring greatness for a better world strongly resonates with Dr. Clouser, and she loves being a part of the Country Day community.

Her passion for literature stems from her love of books, mainly British literature that was inspired by her time studying abroad in Oxford, England and working in London after graduating from college. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English (Cum Laude) from the University of San Diego and her Masters of Education from Lehigh University. She completed her doctoral work at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership.

When not at school, Dr. Clouser enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, Martin, and their adorable puggles, Macallan and Lolita.
Megan Cohen

Long-term Substitute Learning Specialist

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Lissa Corona

Educator, US Visual Arts; Yearbook Advisor

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by creating a safe and comforting environment for our students; one that embraces differences, encourages curiosity and thrives in experimentation and discovery. Our students inspire me to become a better person in all aspects of my life: as a teacher, mentor, friend and artist. I desire to plant seeds of empowerment, confidence, and responsibility to ourselves and each other, as we work toward building a just and equitable society for future generations to flourish.”

Lissa Corona, M.F.A., believes that art has the power to change the world. Teaching Middle School students ways of seeing while thinking about how images, sounds and experiences shape our culture is integral to how they approach the world around them. Ms. Corona has developed an art curriculum that encourages critical thinking and creative problem-solving as the foundation of an impactful art practice.

Ms. Corona has been an exhibiting artist since 2004. She earned her master of fine arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and her bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego—graduating with honors from both programs. Ms. Corona’s work has been exhibited across the United States as well as Mexico, Sweden and Ireland. A multi-disciplinary artist, she uses video, performance and text to investigate universal themes of the human condition with emphasis on relationships, emotion, humor and the concept of sincerity.

Before joining LJCDS in October 2017, Ms. Corona was the Interim Executive Director of the San Diego Art Institute (2017), Education Director for Lux Art Institute (2013-2016), and Millennial Engagement Project Coordinator for the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (2017-2018). She also started a nonprofit for art education Not Nothing Projects, and a collective focused on creating equity for women of color in contemporary art called LOUD.

Ms. Corona is a film and television enthusiast, with a collection of critical theory texts analyzing everything from reality television to slapstick comedy as it pertains to gender, race and socioeconomics. She is also the mother of Pancho and Ofelia, the most brilliant twins to ever walk the Earth.
Jessica Corso

Educator, ECC Jr. Kindergarten

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by sharing with children my vulnerable, passionate and determined self. I believe it is important to step back and observe our children. When we allow children the time and space to explore and experiment on their own, we gain insight into how they think, and only then can we support their true potential.”

Jessica Corso believes that every part of the child’s day is important and unique. A child can learn valuable lessons while sitting at the lunch table with peers and teachers. A teachable moment can happen anytime and anywhere, and Ms. Corso is honored to have the opportunity to scaffold empathy, determination and dignity for the children at LJCDS.

Ms. Corso earned her bachelor’s degree in music and voice and specialization in teaching music to children from New Hampshire at Keene State College and her master’s in child and family development from San Diego State University. While at SDSU, she also received a credential as a social and emotional early childhood intervention specialist. While writing her thesis, she became interested in the Reggio Emilia approach to education.

She began her career at Gorce Child Study Center, where she studied child-centered learning and the project-based approach. Before joining LJCDS, Ms. Corso was previously at Mission Bay Montessori Academy of La Jolla and Aspirations Child Learning Center in Carlsbad–a Reggio-inspired school.



Ms. Corso has been singing and writing music her entire life—her greatest passion aside from education. She is currently the lead singer of Feathers and Lead, a band she started three years ago. Ms. Corso writes music for the band, and she enjoys the teamwork and friendship that has grown throughout the years.
Alexander Cromidas '11

Reception Coordinator

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world through compassionate and empathetic counseling. I try to imagine myself in the shoes of any student who walks through my door and I use that perspective to creatively advise students on their path to college and beyond.”

Alexander (Alex) Cromidas is a college counseling associate who provides administrative support to the college counseling team by helping manage visiting admission counselors, on-campus standardized testing and more. Mr. Cromidas also graduated from LJCDS in 2011 and is excited to be back on campus in a professional capacity.

Mr. Cromidas started his career as an admission counselor at Pitzer College, his alma mater, in 2015. Since then, he’s worked in academic advising and recreation at UCSD, member services at the YMCA, and one-on-one with students as a writing tutor.

Mr. Cromidas loves to stay active through daily walks and does his best thinking while out in the fresh air.
Beth Cross

Educator, US World Language

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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.
Eli Cunningham

Network Administrator

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by supporting a modern network to connect students, faculty and staff to the information resources of the world. In this information age, anything can be found online with enough tenacity. Never before in my lifetime has information about the world and communication with other people worldwide been more accessible than it is right now.”

Eli Cunningham believes that access to information and ideas through the web can revolutionize every student’s understanding and perspective of the world they live in and can help change the world for the better, one person at a time. As the network administrator, Mr. Cunningham’s role is to provide reliable access to today’s ever-growing digital world. Technical skills and digital experience are valued universally throughout all job sectors and are invaluable for success in the 21st century.

Mr. Cunningham began his career at the University of Michigan-Flint, where he earned his bachelor's degree in computer science. He worked at the university in the Mediated Classroom Services department, providing emergency technical support campus-wide to professors. He has worked in a technical role in various industries, including real estate, business acumen and educational sectors. Before joining LJCDS in 2021, Mr. Cunningham worked for the Calaveras County Office of Education, where he provided technical support to the county’s schools. He was responsible for monitoring the 10 GB internet connection that supplied internet access to all the schools in the county.

Mr. Cunningham is an avid weightlifter and technology enthusiast. He enjoys chatting about fitness, healthy eating and all things tech.
Maria Curtis

Director of the Early Childhood Center

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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.