Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Tyler Hales

Dean of Students, MS; Coach - Football

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by being a positive and enthusiastic role model for young men and women in the classroom, on the playing field and in the hallway. I encourage students to think about others before themselves. I hope that students leave my classroom and football program ready and eager to make positive impacts on others and the world around them.”

Tyler Hales believes that there is no finer school in the country than La Jolla Country Day School, and he approaches each day with gratitude that he has the privilege to work with the best students, faculty and staff anywhere. His role on campus is to teach students perseverance, accountability, integrity and enthusiasm through his eighth-grade U.S. history curriculum and Upper School football program.

Mr. Hales graduated from Colby College with honors in American studies and earned his professional certification in education. While at Colby, he played both football and baseball, serving as a baseball captain for two years. He earned his master’s degree in teaching and learning: research in curriculum design at the University of California, San Diego.

At LJCDS, Mr Hales taught third grade for two years and fifth grade for three years, and served as the junior varsity head baseball coach for seven years. He has also coached Torrey football since he joined LJCDS in 2007 and was named the head varsity coach in 2014.

Mr. Hales is originally from Lexington, Mass., and lives with his wife, Jena, who is an assistant professor in biological psychology and behavioral neuroscience at the University of San Diego. They have two young children, Coleman '31 and Delaney '33.

Tyler Hales on LinkedIn
Fiona Halloran Ph.D.

Educator, US Humanities

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students explore the origins and meanings of American identity. One of the most challenging elements of changing the world is knowing where to begin. A deeper sense of national and personal identity can drive students toward a clearer vision of the change they want to achieve and can, as a result, help them to improve all of our lives.”

Fiona Halloran, Ph.D., teaches Upper School humanities courses, including American Studies, AP European History, AP U.S. History, and Food and Culture. She also helps to guide the Model United Nations program. Dr. Halloran earned a Ph.D. in American history from the University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in American history from American University in Washington, D.C. She is the author of Thomas Nast: The Father of Modern Political Cartoons. She has been supported in her research on American political cartooning and 19th-century history by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Huntington Library, the Gilder-Lehrman Institute, and the University of Oxford.

Before coming to LJCDS in 2019, Dr. Halloran taught for four years at Eastern Kentucky University and for nine years at Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the parent of a member of the class of 2026 and is excited to see where an LJCDS education will lead him.
Valencia Valentine Hamman

Director of College Counseling

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Bio

“I feel strongly that through the journey of the college admission process, I am able to inspire greatness for a better world. As I tell every student who steps into my office, they are exactly where they need to be with regard to the steps that lead to college. Each student has their own educational path, and I am poised to help them get from wherever they might be when they first walk through the door to where they are headed for college.”

Valencia Valentine Hamman joined the La Jolla Country Day School college counseling staff in 2007 after spending more than 20 years working in college admission. A native of Peoria, Ill., Ms. Valentine Hamman began her admission career at Beloit College in Wisconsin, where she worked for four years. Then she moved to San Diego, where she was a member of the admission staff at the University of San Diego for more than 12 years. Ms. Valentine Hamman also worked as a West Coast regional representative for Cornell University for four years, recruiting students from all over the West to attend Cornell. Admission work began for her as a way to give back to her alma mater, but it has become a lifelong passion.

Ms. Valentine Hamman attended Beloit College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in French and psychology. She has lived in San Diego since 1991 with her husband, Peter, a facilities engineer for a start-up biotechnology company. They have two children: Jackson (LJCDS class of 2020), who attends Ohio Wesleyan University, and Isabella, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate. They all love being a part of the LJCDS family.
Liesl Hansen

Educator, MS Band

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Bio

“Music is an essential part of our humanity. I inspire greatness every day by exposing middle school students to the hard work, dedication and teamwork it takes to make that music happen. These remarkable students will go on to become even more remarkable adults, and my hope is that wherever life takes them, they are able to look for and appreciate the culture and beauty around them.”

Liesl Hansen is the Middle School band director at La Jolla Country Day School and takes students from producing their very first notes in fifth grade to being ready to join the Upper School program when they are finished in eighth. Ms. Hansen has been the director since 2007 and has watched the program grow to be an integral part of the culture, not only of the Middle School but of the community as a whole.

Ms. Hansen began her training when she was in fifth grade, when she chose to play the French horn, and music has been a part of her life ever since. She received her bachelor’s in music education from Michigan State University, where she was a member of the Spartan Marching Band for five years. She also spent a semester studying horn performance abroad in Vienna, Austria, and had the honor of studying with Wolfgang Tömbeck, principal horn soloist for the Vienna Philharmonic.

Ms. Hansen performs with various community ensembles, is an avid member of Hornswoggle, an all-French-horn ensemble, and is also a member of the orchestra for San Diego Musical Theater.

Ms. Hansen enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two young sons, Legos and parks being some of their favorite activities to share.
Kelley Hart

Educator, ECC and LS Performing Arts

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by instilling in students the idea that we are all creative, expressive beings capable of musical growth and appreciation, regardless of natural talent.”

Kelley Hart believes music is an integral part of a child’s life. Through music, children develop a sense of self-identity, release stress, communicate complex emotions in a healthy way, and connect with the beauty of the world through aesthetic experiences. Ms. Hart regularly witnesses the impact music has on self-esteem and confidence. Working together with fellow musicians builds long-lasting friendships. Performing allows children an opportunity to reach out and touch the hearts of all those who hear it.

Ms. Hart began her musical studies at age 8, when her parents gave her a piano and lessons for her birthday. She earned a Bachelor of Science in music education from Missouri Southern State University and a Master of Music in opera performance from the University of Texas at Austin. She has taught all ages, pre-K through high school, served on the faculty at Kenyon College, Ohio State University and the University of San Diego. She is the co-founder of Opera NEO, a local nonprofit summer opera festival. Ms. Hart enjoys teaching students of all ages and believes her strengths lie in the diversity of her musical experiences.

Ms. Hart moved to San Diego in 2010 with her husband, Peter Kozma (who is also a musician), and their daughter, Sofie (who was two at the time). When Sofie started school as a junior kindergartener, they found a loving, supportive community at LJCDS and decided to put down roots in San Diego. Ms. Hart is thrilled to be a part of the LJCDS community!
Meg Hassey

Assistant Head of Middle School

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by honoring each student’s unique strengths, interests, and potential. Through this lens, I am passionate about creating intentionally student-centered learning experiences that make students feel seen, valued, and empowered.”

As the assistant head of Middle School for academics, Ms. Hassey channels her passion for intentional, engaging, and relevant learning experiences into shaping the Middle School’s academic vision. She supports faculty growth and ensures the curriculum remains dynamic and meaningful. Since starting in 2024, Ms. Hassey has been dedicated to building strong relationships and serving as a cheerleader for students and colleagues.

With a diverse background as an AmeriCorps member, teacher, special educator, school leader, and educational equity coach, Ms. Hassey brings a wealth of experience to her role. A dual-credentialed classroom teacher and education specialist, she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with a minor in education from Colby College and a master’s degree in effective teaching from the Charles Sposato Graduate School of Education.

When not at work, Ms. Hassey enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family. You can find her running, playing soccer, reading on the beach, and seeing live music. She’s a passionate fan of women’s sports (especially soccer) and the Cincinnati Bengals (who dey!).
Adrian Hayes

Associate Educator, Grade 4

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Bio

“I inspire greatness by bringing a unique excitement to the classroom and by building a special connection with students. I believe that all students have unique gifts, and it is up to us as instructors to encourage the growth and development of those gifts. The more we learn how to overcome challenges, the more we learn about ourselves and our resources.”

Adrian Hayes is a Lower School associate educator. He provides in-class support to Grades 2–4 teachers, including classroom management, duty coverages and small group assignments.

Before joining LJCDS in 2020, Mr. Hayes served as both a college and professional basketball coach in Colorado and San Diego. He served as program coordinator for the YMCA, developing after-school programs for lower school-aged students. Mr. Hayes also runs a local basketball program in San Diego, where he develops the skills of youth basketball players and coaches several competitive basketball teams.

Mr. Hayes was born and raised in Austin, Texas. He dedicates his free time to staying in shape and spending time with friends and family. He is also very active in the community with his nonprofit organization, Play Our Dues, supporting youth with special needs.
Stephanie Heinrich

Educator, MS Science Grade 5; Team Leader Grade 5

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by creating a safe environment where students can challenge themselves, both in academics and athletics. In a world where solutions often create additional obstacles, I empower students to collaborate and develop ideas that will provide scientific solutions for real-world problems on a global scale.”

In her first year, Stephanie Heinrich brought new opportunities to our Middle School community by starting a marine biology elective. She hopes to engage students through local marine life and by connecting them with marine scientists. As a science teacher, Ms. Heinrich believes that by educating our students about Earth, we can initiate the change that is needed to conserve global habitats.

Ms. Heinrich’s career began at the University of California, San Diego, where she double majored in psychology and ecology, behavior and evolution while playing on the intercollegiate water polo team. She competed professionally in Australia before returning to San Diego in 2011 to begin her coaching career with La Jolla Country Day School. Ms. Heinrich coached the varsity women’s water polo team for three years at LJCDS while working at SeaWorld San Diego as a scuba diver before transitioning to a research associate position with SKS Ocular, a biotech start-up, until February 2014.

Before returning to LJCDS in August 2015, Ms. Heinrich taught English in South Korea for one year, and that is where she developed her enthusiasm for teaching. Ms. Heinrich is currently working on her Master of Science in science education through Montana State University and spends her summers completing field courses in Montana.

Ms. Heinrich is an avid traveler and a scuba diving instructor. She loves being outdoors, especially in or near the ocean, paddle boarding and snowboarding.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-heinrich-7b43144b
Nate Heppner

Educator, MS English Grade 8; Coach - Swim and Dive

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by enveloping our students in literature and writing, which allows them to confront their own humanity, the humanity of others or, more likely, both at once. The ultimate purpose of eighth-grade English is to offer a variety of paths that converge on the road of life, by which students might exit the school year as more complete versions of themselves.”

Nate Heppner grew up in Palmer, Alaska. He is a 1998 graduate of Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. He taught for two years in Portland, Ore., and one year at Crawford High School before coming to La Jolla Country Day School. He could hardly believe his luck to arrive at a school where the curriculum includes “Ender’s Game,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Romeo and Juliet,” plus trips to Catalina Island and Sequoia National Park.

Mr. Heppner has been teaching Middle School English and coaching the Upper School swim team at LJCDS since the 2002–2003 school year. In addition, he teaches public speaking as a first-trimester elective for seventh- and eighth-graders.
Gabi Hernandez

Associate Educator, ECC

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Jessica Hernandez MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Nurse

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by advocating for holistic wellness programs that empower students to prioritize their physical and mental health. We can work together to cultivate a generation ready to thrive and make a positive impact by fostering resilience and healthy habits.”

As the school’s nurse, Jessica Hernandez aims to play a vital role in creating a safe and healthy learning environment by addressing students’ physical and emotional needs. She empowers students to take charge of their well-being by providing immediate care and health education. Ms. Hernandez’s goal is to help students stay healthy, focus on their studies, and reach their full potential.

Ms. Hernandez earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pepperdine University, a master’s in biology at Point Loma Nazarene University, and a master’s in nursing at Vanderbilt University. In addition to being a certified family nurse practitioner, she is also a credentialed educator. Before coming to LJCDS in 2024, Ms. Hernandez worked as a science educator in Orange County and a primary care provider in community clinics across North San Diego County. She maintains her clinical knowledge and skills by continuing her work as a nurse practitioner when she’s not at LJCDS.

In her free time, Ms. Hernandez loves to spend quality time with her family and friends. She also enjoys going to the beach, watching movies, and traveling.
David Hill Ph.D.

Educator, MS Math

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Bio

“I inspire greatness by focusing daily on developing character, helping connect to real-life applications and math-forward situations, and cultivating confidence and enthusiasm for math learning.”

Dave Hill’s desire to challenge students with mathematical thinking and to apply their learning to everyday life stems from using math extensively in his career before teaching in schools. He conducted academic research in infectious diseases (primarily pediatric HIV). He served in local government public health roles (communicable disease epidemiology and health policy) before he discovered the wonderful world of middle school math and science.

Dr. Hill studied as an undergrad at Stanford and earned a master’s degree from Emory and a doctorate from Stanford Medical School. Before joining LJCDS in 2024, he taught at Crossroads Arts & Sciences in Los Angeles, Menlo School in the San Francisco Bay area, and Graland Country Day School in Denver.

As a parent to Mason, Walker, and Avery, Dr. Hill values LJCDS’ focus on the inherent worth of every human and a welcoming and diverse community. He’s thrilled to be back by the ocean following a 6-year stint near his native Boulder, Colorado mountains.
Maxwell Hill
Michelle Hirschy

Director of Wellness

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by allowing my students a safe time and place to explore who they are and who they want to be as they try to discover how to get there. High school is a time for firsts and a unique time in our lives, where we really begin to delve into the world around us and the impact we can have. It gives me great joy to be on this journey with my students and to offer them a soft place to land through the process.”

Mrs. Hirschy believes everyone needs a place where they can talk with someone who will truly listen and accept them as they are, and she works to provide a safe and warm environment in which this can occur.

As the counselor to Upper School students, her role is to help all students in the areas of academic achievement and personal/social development to ensure today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

Mrs. Hirschy has been a counselor for more than a decade in New York, Colorado and California. Her passion is working with teenagers through the inevitable ups and downs of adolescence and ensuring that they always have a compassionate ear to which to turn when they need it.

In her spare time, Mrs. Hirschy loves to spend time outdoors and exploring San Diego with her husband and two young daughters.

Read more about our mental wellness initiatives.
Kimberly Huntoon

Educator, Grade 2

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by encouraging children to become their best self. This often means digging deeper to reach beyond what they think they can achieve. Taking time to enjoy one’s successes and conversely reflecting and learning from one’s mistakes is another lesson I value teaching. I also strive to teach children to show respect and kindness to others.”

Kim Huntoon works to provide a safe, caring and inspirational environment for young children so that instruction can flourish. The importance of being a positive influence at the beginning of a child’s education is a continuing source of motivation for her. She enjoys that no two days are ever the same when working with young children. Ms. Huntoon has experience not only in kindergarten but also in Tiny Torreys, junior kindergarten and second grade.

Ms. Huntoon moved to San Diego after graduating from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. She worked in the computer industry and college admissions before joining the faculty at La Jolla Country Day School. She and her husband live in Carlsbad, where she enjoys gardening and tennis.
Ansha Husain

Administrative Assistant, Admission

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping people realize their potential. This takes a variety of different forms depending on each person as everyone has a different style of learning and takes things at their own pace. I inspire greatness by being a role model to those who need someone to look up to and by teaching those who need extra encouragement.”

Ansha Husain joined LJCDS in the fall of 2021 as the administrative assistant to the Admission Department. She loves being back on a school campus and being able to interact with students and parents in a meaningful way. Ms. Husain enjoys seeing and hearing the students in action on a daily basis and witnessing how a school that truly focuses on students’ agency empowers them to take ownership of their learning and futures.

Ms. Husain was born in Bangladesh and grew up in the Bay Area. She has studied business and education at the University of Oregon and San Francisco State respectively. She moved to San Diego from the Bay Area in June 2020.

When not working, Ms. Husain enjoys spending time with her fiancé and three dogs (Loki, Willow and Xena), relaxing at home, going to the beach, hiking around San Diego, or going on road trips. Her hobbies include cooking, interior decorating, hiking and generally being outdoors on a nice day. She dreams of attending culinary school in France and/or Italy and eventually opening a restaurant as a retirement project.
Jeff Hutzler

Director of Athletics and Physical Education

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by leading an athletic department dedicated to students’ development of personal integrity, self-responsibility, self-sacrifice, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence. For more than 30 years I have been teaching young people through athletics to master these qualities, and I empower La Jolla Country Day School’s young men and women to tackle their personal goals and to shape a better world.”

Entering his 22nd year as LJCDS’ director of athletics and physical education, Jeff Hutzler is the winningest football coach in the school’s history, with a won-loss record of 101–37 from 2002–2013. His teams claimed six league and three CIF Championships. After playing eight-man football from 2001–2004 and returning to 11-man football in the Pacific League in 2005, the Torreys rejoined the Coastal League, California’s most competitive small-school football league, in the fall of 2011. Coach Hutzler was honored as one of California’s 13 model coaches in 2009. During Coach Hutzler’s tenure, 207 championship banners have gone up in Smith Gymnasium.

Before coming to LJCDS, Coach Hutzler coached football, track and field, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball in Nevada, Los Angeles and New York. He is a two-time Football State Coach of the Year, six-time Southern Nevada Track and Field Coach of the Year, and he was inducted into the Southern Nevada Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005.

Coach Hutzler grew up in Kailua, Hawaii. He competed in cross country, track and boxing at the University of Nevada, where he earned a degree in education in 1983. Coach Hutzler graduated from UNLV with a M.Ed. in physical education in 2000. He has two sons, Coleman and Luke, and two grandchildren, Micah and Leila. Coach Hutzler lives in Encinitas with his wife Janice.