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 Alicia Deutz
    Alicia Deutz
    Administrative Assistant and Attendance, MS
    (858) 453-3440 x115
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness by listening and appreciating the little things. Students, faculty and parents will always receive a warm welcome and an open ear from me. I strive to make sure everyone has a unique and fulfilling experience every time they walk into the Middle School office. Sometimes all people need is a smile and someone who appreciates them so they can go on to accomplish great things.”
    Alicia Deutz is the administrative assistant to the Middle School director and assistant director, although you will often find her applauding the drama class, encouraging the football team, setting up hot cider on chilly days, listening to parents, and helping out wherever she can. She wears many hats and helps make La Jolla Country Day School an environment where everyone can thrive.
    Mrs. Deutz attended Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., and Shiller College in Madrid, where she studied philosophy and Spanish. She used this education when she moved to Mexico City, where she was active in the Junior League and other volunteer organizations that helped the community. An active parent, she was always involved with her children’s school activities, and after moving back to the United States and settling in San Diego, she continued that involvement. In 1993, Alicia began working at another school with a similar position for 10 years. Then she made a fortunate connection and began working at LJCDS, where she has been for 12 years.
    She enjoys working with her professional colleagues, and she feels privileged to have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of students and their families.
    When she’s not at school, you’ll find her hiking, kayaking, spending time with her family, and cooking.
     
  • 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 Meg Hassey
    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!).
  • Photo of Dan Lenzen
    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.

  • Photo of Robert Wagner
    Robert Wagner
    Director of the Arts
    (858) 453-3440 x234
    Bio
     
    “Through an arts education, is an education in the human condition. Through painting, building, singing, performing and shaping, students learn to understand themselves and the world around them. I inspire greatness by ensuring students have a safe place to discover their true selves as they experiment with how to create art which shapes, reflects and challenges the world around them.”
    Robert Wagner received his Bachelor of Arts in theater and dance from Muhlenberg College. He founded a nonprofit high school performing arts program for inner-city youth in Allentown, Pa. and served as the manager of education and outreach for Muhlenberg College’s Summer Music Theatre. 
    Mr. Wagner started at LJCDS in 2012 and has taught Middle and Upper School dance and drama and choreographed and directed all of the theatrical productions. In 2022, he became the director of visual and performing arts.
    Professionally, Mr. Wagner performed with the Enchantment Theatre Company’s national tour of The Velveteen Rabbit, sang and danced his heart out in countless summer stock productions on the east coast, and choreographed and assistant-directed the La Jolla Playhouse W.O.W. Festival productions of Heaven on Earth and Under Construction. He has served on the board of the international nonprofit Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc., and was the director of performing arts at the Swain School for four years.
    In his free time, Mr. Wagner loves playing with his Goldendoodle, Midas, and traveling with his husband Brent.
 

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

La Jolla Country Day School

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

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