Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Pamela Patterson

Educator, US Math

(858) 453-3440 x250

Bio

“I challenge students to think for themselves, to look for patterns, and to examine relationships with the goal of understanding why and how mathematical principles work. I encourage students to see mathematics as a creative and collaborative endeavor. I strive to inspire greatness for a better world through the universal language of mathematics, which provides students with a powerful lens through which to make sound decisions and interpret the world around them.”

Pam Patterson believes in the school’s mission of educating the whole student and equipping them with skills to pursue a lifetime of intellectual exploration, personal growth and social responsibility. She is particularly interested in using technology to explore mathematical relationships to deepen understanding. She helps students develop the vocabulary and confidence to articulate mathematical ideas and processes. She believes that the supportive La Jolla Country Day School community provides students and faculty the opportunity to develop relationships that continually challenge them to grow and improve.

Ms. Patterson’s grandfather inspired her to become a math teacher, and she began working with high school students as a math tutor and volleyball coach at New Hartford High School while attending Hamilton College. Upon graduation, she started teaching and coaching at Dunn School in Los Olivos, Calif. She and her husband moved to San Diego in 1995, when she took a position at LJCDS. She currently serves as math department chair in the Upper School, teaches Algebra II with Trigonometry and Honors Precalculus, and is the proud parent of two LJCDS students. Along with cooking and knitting, Ms. Patterson enjoys spending her free time hiking and backpacking in the San Diego backcountry.
Joelle Biedenbach

Educator, US Math

(858) 453-3440 x319

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students recognize their ability to make positive change in both themselves and the world. I believe my classroom is a place where risk-taking is encouraged and supported, and where mistakes are welcome. Life would be so boring if we got everything right the first time. It is my goal to inspire students to see the world around them as a beautiful place that is always in need of improvement and love.”

Joelle Biedenbach believes that all students are capable of finding enjoyment through problem solving. Being curious and asking questions are life-long learning skills that show up in her classroom daily, as she cultivates a culture of confidence in math. Being able to explain your reasoning and support your work is critical and, through risk-taking and practice, attainable by all.

Ms. Biedenbach graduated from Lafayette College, in Easton, PA, with a joint degree in Mathematics and Economics. While always passionate about learning and education in general, Joelle first realized that her path would be teaching high school mathematics during her senior year at Lafayette. She started teaching and coaching swimming in 2003 and completed her California teaching credential through University of California, San Diego. Joelle has been teaching mathematics in the Upper School since 2011.

Ms. Biedenbach grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia and, after swimming all four years at Lafayette, transplanted to the San Diego region. She loves running, swimming, the ocean, yoga, and is fiercely devoted to the Philadelphia Eagles. Joelle lives in (and loves) North County, keeping busy by chasing after her two young daughters.
John Edman , Jr.

Educator, US Math; Coach - Baseball

(858) 453-3440 x175

Bio

“I inspire greatness by promoting an environment where student-athletes work together in the classroom or on the field, giving feedback and encouraging one another as they explore complex mathematical concepts together in the classroom or perfect their skills on the field. I especially enjoy encouraging student-athletes to strive for excellence and to lead by example.”

John Edman joined La Jolla Country Day School in 1998, and he is constantly reinvigorated by the sense of family and camaraderie as faculty and students alike strive to make the world a better place. He loves that students have the chance to experience a wide variety of academic, athletic, artistic and service opportunities while also being encouraged to pursue their passions and become excellent in areas of special importance to them.

Mr. Edman graduated from Williams College with honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a concentration in mathematics. After four years of teaching math and coaching baseball at his alma mater, Cranbrook Kingswood, in Michigan, he went on to earn his Master of Science in statistics from the University of Michigan while also serving as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan baseball team. He moved to San Diego in 1999 with his wife and three children, all of whom have been proud lifers at LJCDS.

Mr. Edman’s baseball teams have accumulated 330 wins, including 20 wins in six of the last 10 seasons. The Torreys have won five of the last nine Coastal Conference titles and won the CIF Championship in 2011. He has had 38 players compete collegiately and six play professionally including his son, Tommy Edman, who currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.
David Jenkins

Assistant Head of Upper School (Emeritus)

(858) 453-3440 x221

Bio

“I inspire greatness by working with our students to develop relationships based on dignity, learning about the things they want to do, finding ways to say yes, and helping them navigate the path they choose to follow.”

Dave Jenkins arrived at La Jolla Country Day School following a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, he attended flight school and earned his wings as a helicopter pilot. While on sea duty, he made multiple six-month deployments to the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. His shore-duty assignments included a couple of years at the Pentagon, graduate school, and at Naval Air Station, North Island, here in San Diego. During his time in the Navy, he had the opportunity to serve in a variety of leadership positions.

LJCDS was a perfect landing place for Mr. Jenkins. He spent his first 12 years in the Upper School teaching in the math department. During this time, he also coached the girls varsity soccer team and the girls varsity lacrosse team, and served as the sophomore class dean. In 2014, Mr. Jenkins joined the Upper School administrative team as dean of academics and student life for juniors and seniors.

Mr. Jenkins enjoys reading and often has up to five books on his nightstand. He enjoys biographies, but you will also find Nelson DeMille novels and works by David McCullough.

Mr. Jenkins and his wife, Masami, are proud parents of daughter Lorin who is a 2007 alumna of LJCDS. They live in Bonita, and Lorin is a CPA living and working in New York City.
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.
Tiffany Norwood

Teacher

(858) 453-3440
Nancy Pegels

Educator, US Math

(858) 453-3440 x107

Bio

“I strive to inspire greatness for a better world by leading with dignity and encouraging my students to ask questions, participate in exploring answers, and to listen to the input of their peers. In this way, they are actively engaged in learning and discovering, while appreciating and challenging each other. I promote a friendly, comfortable classroom environment in which each student feels accepted for who they are and can recognize who they can become.”

The process of learning mathematics develops the skills necessary to tackle difficult problems and formulate viable solutions. Nancy Pegels believes that a solid understanding of mathematics forms a foundation for many careers and paths of exploration. She believes that students may not know where their talents will be most useful, but she appreciates the opportunity to inspire her students to forge ahead and use their creativity to find their purpose in the world around them.

Ms. Pegels attended the University of Cincinnati, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Education. She began her career at Lutheran West High School while earning her master’s degree in Mathematics at Cleveland State University. In 2002, she moved from Ohio to California where she taught math at The Bentley School in Lafayette and The College Preparatory School in Oakland. Ms. Pegels joined the faculty at LJCDS in 2018 as a long-term substitute teacher, taking over courses in Algebra II and Geometry.

She has three children, two of whom will be away at college this year studying engineering, while the third enjoys her sophomore year of high school. She and her husband enjoy attending concerts, games and performances and exploring the hiking trails and interesting neighborhoods in the San Diego area.
David Schall

Educator, US Math

(858) 453-3440 x254

Bio

“??I inspire greatness by bringing multiple decades of teaching experience and a wealth of tried-and-true strategies and methodologies to the classroom. My students are motivated to learn mathematics in an atmosphere filled with wonder, joy, humor, warmth, teamwork, diligence and compassion. I embrace the liberating academic freedom, exceptional collegiality, and scholarly intensity of the LJCDS learning community. I delight in working with the greatest faculty, staff, students and parents in San Diego.”

Dave Schall graduated with high honors from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1983. After earning his California State Teaching Credential at San Diego State University, he taught for 18 years at Oceanside High School. Since 2003, Mr. Schall has spent all or parts of his tenure at LJCDS as a teacher, academic league coach, mathematics department chair, senior and sophomore class dean, grade-level coordinator, Upper School registrar, and assistant to the director of service learning.

Mr. Schall has been married to his wife, Kim, since 1986, and they have raised five wonderful adult children: Amy, Zach, Alex, and twins Emily and Sarah. Their fur baby, Beesly, is a boisterous and mischievous chocolate lab. Mr. Schall and Kim are proud grandparents of a baby girl, Rhea Louise Salmon. With the addition of Rhea, the Schall home continues to burst at the seams with activity, joy, craziness and laughter.
Diana Valji

Educator, US Math; Coach - Ultimate Frisbee

(858) 453-3440 x264

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by teaching students to think logically and critically so they can become the problem solvers who will one day transform our world. I work to ensure that they feel supported in their endeavors. All students can be successful practitioners of mathematics, and it is my job to help them unleash their powers of logic so they can achieve their full potential.”

Diana Valji’s life was so profoundly affected by the wonderful, supportive teachers who challenged her that she was inspired to pursue a career in education. As a mathematics teacher in the Upper School, she works to prepare her students for a lifetime of learning, logical thinking and problem solving. As the advisory program coordinator for the Upper School, she leads the council in planning the curriculum for all four years as well as coordinating logistics for the program on a weekly basis.

Mrs. Valji earned her Bachelor of Arts in biochemical sciences with a secondary field in mathematics and a citation in Spanish from Harvard University, and her M.Ed. with emphases in secondary science and mathematics from the University of California, San Diego.

Before joining the La Jolla Country Day School community, she taught biology at Gompers Preparatory Academy. She has been teaching at LJCDS since 2009 and has coached the club ultimate frisbee team for the past four.

Mrs. Valji and her husband, Matthew, enjoy a friendly rivalry as teachers at competing schools, and they are a force to be reckoned with when watching Jeopardy, playing charades or participating in their favorite weekly trivia night. They welcomed a son in February 2016, and they are excited about embarking on the journey that is parenthood.