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 Celeste Bilbao
    Celeste Bilbao
    Educator, LS and MS World Language
    (858) 453-3440 x349
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by conveying to my students the value of learning about the Spanish-speaking culture as well as connecting them with meaningful experiences to learn a second language in a safe and caring environment where everybody participates.”

    Celeste Bilbao began teaching at LJCDS as a long-term substitute for the Heritage Spanish class in Middle School. She felt a strong connection and motivation with the school's vision, care for the students and sense of community. She is grateful to be part of this nurturing community where each person has a voice.

    Ms. Bilbao was born in Santiago, Chile, where she earned her university degree as an ESL teacher. Before starting her professional path in Chile, she flew to London to experience living in a foreign country. This nurturing life experience made her recognize the importance of being a global citizen, which she is now passionate about instilling in her students. Back in Chile, Ms. Bilbao taught different age groups and one-on-one lessons in language institutes. Her most enriching career development was the 14 years teaching lower and middle school students at St. Ignatius El Bosque. During those years, she continued learning different strategies to teach languages and received training in Visible Thinking Routines and project-based learning. 

    Ms. Bilbao and her family are pretty new in the USA so she enjoys traveling around her new home, going to the beach, dining out on Mexican food, as well as surfing the web to learn more about second-language acquisition.
  • Photo of Laura del Moral
    Laura del Moral
    Educator, MS World Language Grade 7/8
    (858) 453-3440 x329
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by creating an awareness of the trend toward cultural blending and encouraging multicultural perspectives. Ethnicities are blending as we reshape a new global identity. I provide opportunities to connect the students to our local and global communities, making each student more multiculturally aware.”

    Laura del Moral, M.E., believes that the Middle School world language department prepares students to be part of our global community. Ms. del Moral’s role is to provide authentic and unique experiences in Hispanic languages and cultures to develop multicultural thinking.

    After graduating from Humboldt State University, Ms. del Moral began teaching Spanish and English in France. At the World Trade Center of Marseille, she was part of a dynamic environment as her European students were from various cultural backgrounds and were multicultural thinkers. Ms. del Moral built innovative, dynamic language-teaching strategies to suit the blend of cultures and interests. Ms. del Moral had the privilege of teaching European Union members, who benefited from her engaging approach. Since 2010, she has developed the Spanish program at La Jolla Country Day School by implementing real-life projects and introducing appropriate Spanish novels into the curriculum. She greatly enjoys teaching Middle School students, whom she finds clever and unique.
    Ms. del Moral enjoys reading studies on language acquisition and bilingualism. As a professional goal, Ms. del Moral shares the research with the English, history and world language departments along with the  Learning Resource Center. These studies help her stay current with the most recent research on how we learn languages.

    Ms. del Moral has been teaching for over 20 years and continues to have an immense passion for the field.
  • Photo of Marisol Irwig
    Marisol Irwig
    Department Chair, MS World Language; Educator, Spanish Grade 8
    (858) 453-3440 x468
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by educating with a creative, lively and purposeful perspective to benefit student’s academic and personal goals. I believe that genuine care and respect for our community will help students to understand the importance of their daily contribution to our school and society.”
    Maria Irwig, M.A.Ed., believes that giving full attention to everyday details in the classroom will help students to understand the processes of learning based on trust and meaningful teacher-student relationships. As the MS World Language Department Chair & 5-6 Spanish Teacher, Mrs. Irwig’s role is to provide the tools to understand the function of the Spanish language and its interconnections with our immediate and extended communities.
    Mrs. Irwig’s career as an educator began in Mexico over 15 years ago. She has served as a performing arts and world language teacher in various schools. Before joining LJCDS in 2019, Mrs. Irwig created and established a Spanish language curriculum for a K–8 school, as well as a performing arts program that included Grades 4–8 concert band, Grades 5–8 jazz band and marching band, and K–8 musical theater.
    Mrs. Irwig enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband at all Disney vacation destinations. She also loves to bake and cook.
     
  • Photo of Elvia Martinez
    Elvia Martinez
    Educator, MS World Language Grades 5/6
    (858) 453-3440 x128
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by motivating my students to be open to the world of possibilities and connections that are made available by the acquisition of a second language. My role at La Jolla Country Day School is to become a facilitator of growth, collaboration and effective communication through immersion in the Spanish language. My goal is for my students to not only be bilingual but also to be exposed to other cultures and traditions of Spanish speakers around the globe. That is essential for any citizen in this global society.”
    Elvia Martinez has been an educator since 2005, working with students from K–8 in diverse cities of San Diego County. Her background includes teaching in general education classrooms and offering specialized services to students with special learning needs. She has also worked as a tutor for after-school programs, as a certified tax preparer and as a certified Spanish legal interpreter.

    Ms. Martinez is the mother of two girls and enjoys family time and trips with her husband. She describes herself as a strong person who is open to changes, opportunities and challenges. Ms. Martinez embraces life fully, as that is the best gift one can possess.
 

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

La Jolla Country Day School

9490 Genesee Avenue
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858-453-3440

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