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 Tyler Hales
    Tyler Hales
    Dean of Students, MS; Coach - Football
    (858) 453-3440 x193
    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
  • 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 Jeff Hutzler
    Jeff Hutzler
    Director of Athletics and Physical Education
    (858) 453-3440 x129
    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.
 

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

La Jolla Country Day School

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

© 2025 La Jolla Country Day School 

Privacy Policy

Country Day Connection Newsletter

Accredited by: