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 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.
  • Photo of Marsha Poh
    Marsha Poh
    Assistant Head of Lower School
    (858) 453-3440 x229
    Bio
     
    “I believe our Lower School is a special place where students are encouraged to explore, play, and make deep connections between the material they study and their own lives. Each day I hope to inspire our students to work toward their goals and get involved in new experiences. I am fortunate to work with an amazing group of educators who are always pushing to make life at Country Day memorable for our students and families.”
    Marsha Poh was always on the move throughout her childhood. By the time she graduated from high school, she had lived in eight different homes. While growing up, she was known to set up a classroom in her home and “teach” her sister whatever she was learning in school. Mrs. Poh started playing softball as a child and played competitively until she graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. (where she also played Division I softball—Go Crusaders!). There she majored in psychology with a biological psychology concentration. Throughout her four years at Holy Cross, she found herself drawn to teaching. 
    After graduating in 2006, Mrs. Poh knew she wanted to learn more about education. Her curiosity took her to Cambridge, Mass., to pursue a master’s in education in middle school math and science from Lesley University. After finishing the collaborative master’s program, she married her college sweetheart.

    In her free time, Mrs. Poh loves to spend time with her family, exercise, volunteer with Pegasus Rising and the San Diego Food Bank, and take her rescued boxer, Mia, on walks around the neighborhood.
 

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

La Jolla Country Day School

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

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