Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Hue Lam

Technology Operations Coordinator

(858) 453-3440 x 197
Renee Lathom

Educator, ECC Tiny Torreys

(858) 453-3440 x412

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping children develop age-appropriate skills to regulate their emotions.”

Renee Lathom believes that children thrive when they are in an environment where they feel safe but also challenged. To foster this type of an environment, Ms. Lathom offers individual attention to each child to make them feel special.

Ms. Lathom’s love of working with children began after taking child development classes through high school and community college. After multiple years working in a preschool, afterschool program and summer camp at the La Jolla YMCA, Ms. Lathom found her love for singing songs, loud and proud.

Ms. Lathom spent many years at La Jolla Country Day School working for the extended day program. When a junior kindergarten associate teacher position became available, she jumped at the chance to work in a preschool classroom once again and has been enjoying it ever since.

While working at La Jolla Country Day School, Ms. Lathom earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Ashford University.

When not at school, she can be found catching up on current television shows and movies, while doting on her two cats. She is a fan of country music and often attends concerts around San Diego. Photography is a favorite creative outlet for Ms. Lathom, and she loves when she can bring her two passions together to capture the fun and beauty of early childhood.
Caleb Lee

Coach - Basketball

(858) 453-3440
Jean Ah Lee

Educator, US Math; Coach - Surf

(858) 453-3440 x332

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by encouraging an awareness of the people around us so that we can respect, learn from and care for each other. We must remember that we don’t live in this world alone. Whether listening to others’ ideas and approaches to a math problem or noticing that a classmate might be having a bad day, paying attention to others is an important part of living and learning.”

Jean Ah Lee is an Upper School mathematics teacher and surf coach. She believes that our study of math isn’t just about learning content. It’s also about the problem-solving and analytical skills we develop through math that can be applied to any field, career, or life situation.

Ms. Lee was inspired to become an educator by her father, an electrical engineering professor, and her mother, an example of a lifelong learner. Ms. Lee encourages her students to maintain confidence and a positive attitude when faced with a challenge or an undesirable outcome. Life isn’t always fun and easy, and neither is math.

Ms. Lee earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from MIT and worked as an electrical engineer at Bose Corporation. She subsequently earned a Master of Education from Harvard University and began her teaching career. Before LJCDS, Ms. Lee taught mathematics in New York City, Guatemala City and San Diego. In addition, Ms. Lee enjoys surfing and yoga and loves to travel.
Nicholas Lee

Educator, US Math

(858) 453-3440 x263

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping our students become aware of their own potential greatness not only as mathematics students but also as worldly citizens. I create a classroom environment where students feel nurtured and encouraged to engage in a discourse about the many, often bumpy, paths to solving interesting problems that further develop their critical thinking skills.”

Nicholas Lee believes that our students should study mathematics for more than just the capability of solving textbook problems. He sharpens their ability to apply critical thinking skills towards solving new problems that they may encounter in their ever-changing world. By fostering a welcoming learning environment coupled with collaborative exercises and friendly competitions, he encourages students to engage and wrestle with thought-provoking problems.

Before joining the LJCDS community in 2018, Mr. Lee was an Upper School math teacher and varsity volleyball coach at the Poly Prep Country Day School in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York for six years. He and his husband enjoy traveling accompanied by their two daughters. Mr. Lee also loves to play board games. Some of his favorite games include Cauldron, Ticket to Ride and Dominion.
Dan Lenzen

Director of Design & Innovation

(858) 453-3440 x352

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by teaching our students to empathize with the difficulties others face and how to be proactive problem solvers. Human-centered design requires a deep interest in how others experience the world, a sharp analytical eye and the courage to try to improve the world. I teach students the technical and human skills that will allow them to tackle problems of any size.”

Before to coming to LJCDS, Dan Lenzen earned his Master of Science in cognitive science at the University of California, San Diego, where he designed methods to study gesture and sign language with the Microsoft Kinect and taught design to undergraduates. This work built on his interest in how cognition exists in our mind and bodies that began when he earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Colorado College (with a focus on social psychology). He spent three years as a researcher at the University of Chicago, investigating the role of gesture in learning in middle school students. These experiences provided Mr. Lenzen with skills in human psychology, research design, web design and computer programming.

Mr. Lenzen is the director of Design & Innovation and teaches courses in the Upper and Middle Schools.

As a native Chicagoan, Mr. Lenzen has joyfully embraced the San Diego lifestyle—surfing, hiking and actually enjoying the months between October and April.
Beth Levin

Educator, Grade 3

(858) 453-3440 x339

Bio

“I inspire greatness in the world by making every child feel special and important. When a child feels that they are being heard, they are more open to ideas, their confidence rises, and they are motivated to do better in the world around them. I believe that when my students leave my classroom, they will be confident learners and doers.”

Beth Levin wants every child to feel loved. In her classroom, she creates a “classroom-family” environment. This leads to every child treating others with dignity, being kind, and encouraging others. There is no fear of being wrong in Ms. Levin’s class as “no question is a bad question.” With this philosophy, she creates an academic environment in which children will achieve excellence.

Ms. Levin graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in reading—with an emphasis in elementary education—from Grand Canyon University. Ms. Levin taught first grade at a private school in Bellevue, Washington for five years.

Ms. Levin loves spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid reader and enjoys going to the beach. Ms. Levin likes to exercise, scrapbook and experiment with new recipes. She also has a passion for trying new things and exploring the world around her.
Jana Libbette

Assistant Educator, ECC Jr. Kindergarten

(858) 453-3440 x 292
Todd Lineback

Educator, US Science

(858) 453-3440 x146

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by igniting students’ passion for science. The brilliant minds of science have made incredible insights into the nature of physical phenomena. Investigating these will aid my students greatly in their future endeavors, be they academic, professional or otherwise.”

It is so important that teenagers build a well-considered, well-constructed base of knowledge and skills. In his role as a science teacher in the Upper School, Todd Lineback works to ensure that each student formulates as strong a foundation in science as possible. He shapes his approach to fit each student’s unique needs and to incorporate each student’s unique awareness and abilities into their science learning experience.

By regularly asking students to conduct lab protocols and then to draw conclusions based on evidence gathered, students have the tangible and relevant revelations associated with live lab-bench explorations. Further, Mr. Lineback fosters cooperative interaction among his students and emphasizes that science is an active, social and technical enterprise.

Mr. Lineback earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and he worked as an undergraduate researcher at UCSB’s Neuroscience Research Institute. His teaching career began in Tottori, Japan, where he worked as an assistant English teacher for two years. He has taught high school chemistry since 2000 for institutions as far afield as Bethesda, Md., and the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean Sea. He has worked at La Jolla Country Day School since 2008.
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.
Lori Long

Educator, MS Math Grade 7

(858) 453-3440 x220

Bio

“I teach students first and content second. I believe the connection and bond I form with my students is critical to their success, and I pride myself on getting to know each and every student and learning how to maximize each student’s potential.”

Lori Long aspires to help students acquire conceptual understanding of mathematics through problem solving. She uses problem solving as an opportunity for students to apply their mathematical thinking skills not only to the academic world but to the real world around them. Because students are formulating opinions about their math abilities, it is her goal to help create a positive attitude about math so that students leave her class believing they are capable of success in the subject. Nothing is more heartbreaking to Ms. Long than to hear an adult say, “I was never good at math!” To this she always responds, “You just didn’t have teachers who inspired and encouraged you,” because Ms. Long believes all individuals are capable of success in math when they have good instruction.

Originally from California’s Central Valley, Ms. Long is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, and Fresno Pacific College, where she received her K–8 teaching credential and earned her Master of Arts in math and science education and an administrative credential. Before coming to La Jolla Country Day School in 1996, she previously worked in a public school district in Fresno as both a teacher and administrator. She has worked at all levels, from second grade through high school. When asked which grade she enjoys most, she says whichever one she is currently teaching!
Caroline Lounsbury

Support Educator
Heather Love

Learning Specialist

(858) 453-3440
Kirsten Luongo

Educator, Grade 3

(858) 453-3440 x212

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by creating a community where everyone feels heard and valued. It is important that we teach children the importance of a growth mindset and believe that begins with creating a safe place within our classroom.”

Kirsten Luongo appreciates how LJCDS values teaching to the whole child. Her role is to provide a safe and fun learning community where students and families feel their voice matters.

Ms. Luongo’s career began as a co-teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School. She taught third grade for two years in New Haven, Connecticut, and for four years at a charter school in San Diego before starting at LJCDS in 2019. She earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education and her master’s in curriculum and instruction.