Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Meghann Carpenter

Associate Educator, Kindergarten

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by creating an environment of encouragement and support to help our youngest minds grow excitement for learning. From learning how to grow in friendships to viewing the world in new ways, kindergarten helps to lay the foundations for a child’s education. By fostering a mindset of curiosity and wonder about everything they are learning, I hope to build our students up to be problem solvers and persistent learners.”

Meghann Carpenter believes that modeling empathy and engaging students’ strengths and interests help to build an environment where every student can succeed. As an associate teacher in the kindergarten classroom, Mrs. Carpenter leads her class in lessons and activities that draw on students’ creative abilities and builds relationships to connect with students on a personal level.

Mrs. Carpenter graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2014 with a degree in teaching. Since then, she served her community as a nanny and an assistant kindergarten teacher at La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School before joining the LJCDS family in 2021 as part of the Extended Day team for kindergarten. In 2022, she stepped into the role of kindergarten associate educator.

In her free time, Mrs. Carpenter enjoys soaking in every minute with her young daughter, playing games with friends, going to the beach, and trying new restaurants and coffee shops.
Wendy Clemente

Educator, LS Music

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Bio

“I inspire greatness by helping children find their voice. A child who sings with confidence and joy will always know how to share their ideas and empower others to use their voices as well. I believe that the singers in my classroom are on their way to becoming citizens who will live their lives out loud.”

Since 2003, Wendy Clemente has taught general and vocal music in the Lower School. Beginning with the first graders, she enjoys watching her students explore musical expression and find their voices. She believes that all humans are musical and that early music experiences can build skills that will set up a lifetime of music-making. In the Middle and Upper School, Ms. Clemente works as the theater costumer, designing and dressing shows, while also teaching and mentoring costuming students in the theater tech program.

A life-long Californian, Ms. Clemente always knew that she wanted to be a music teacher. She grew up singing regularly in church and began piano lessons at age 9. In high school, she began performing in musical theater while also interning for a small-label fashion designer. She spent a year studying music and theater in England, toured Western Europe as a soloist, and finally graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education. Ms. Clemente began her first teaching job in Bozeman, Mont., and then relocated to San Diego, teaching music and English at Escondido Adventist Academy for 11 years. She continues to perform as a soprano and conducts various choral organizations, including the La Jolla Renaissance Singers, the UCSD Geisel Library Toy Piano Duo, Bach Collegium–San Diego, St. Paul’s Cathedral, La Jolla Playhouse, and the La Sierra University Vocal Octet Alumni. On weekends, she serves as music director at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Escondido. In 2019, she was selected as the La Jolla Rotary Club Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Clemente spends her spare time sewing costumes and apparel for herself and family members, cooking gourmet vegetarian food, reading, and traveling with her husband, two adult children (who both attended LJCDS), two cats and a very spoiled beagle.
Elaine Gain

Associate Educator, Kindergarten

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Bio

“Every day I strive to be a role model who inspires greatness for a better world. In my class, I listen to the ideas, needs, passions, emotions and lessons that the children bring in and apply them to my planning every day. Doing this allows the children to gain confidence, feed their curiosity, understand their emotions, provide for others, ask questions, and find their little voice in this big world.”

Elaine Gain began her career in early childhood education through her high school’s ROP program. She received her Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and sciences and teaching credential with an embedded Crosscultural Language and Academic Development certificate (CLAD) from San Diego State University. Ms. Gain continues to obtain more early childhood education units to further her development as an instructor and holds a California Site Supervisor Permit for early childhood centers. Before coming to La Jolla Country Day School, Ms. Gain worked as a substitute teacher in the San Diego Unified School District, as a site supervisor/program coordinator at an early learning center, and as a pre-K teacher through the YMCA.

Outside of school Ms. Gain enjoys cooking, trying new food, visiting Disneyland and traveling. She is also passionate about living a more Eco-friendly life that will keep our planet healthy for many more generations to come.
Lauren Giesemann

Educator, Kindergarten

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Bio

“I strive to inspire greatness in my students by giving them the resources to become excited and passionate about learning. I believe that my ultimate goal as a classroom teacher is to build lifelong learners. My educational belief is that all students need to be given a space where they can think, question and create.”

Lauren Hansen believes that a strong educational foundation can make all the difference in instilling a child’s passion and love for learning. This is what drew her to teaching in the Lower School. Having attended independent schools herself, she understands the value of an independent school education and is very excited to grow as an associate teacher in the Lower School.

Lauren Hansen’s love for teaching began when she was in high school at Marin Academy in the San Francisco Bay Area when she taught a journaling class to a group of local middle school students. She attended Baylor University where she served as a student teacher in a variety of elementary grades through Baylor’s School of Education. She was immediately drawn to the early grades and began her teaching career as a lead preschool teacher at Carlsbad Country Day School.

When Ms. Hansen is not in the classroom, you can find her spending time with family and friends outdoors. She enjoys taking her dog to the beach and taking advantage of the beauty of San Diego. She is also very passionate about service and has been to Mexico, Kenya and Jamaica on community service trips.
Kelley Hart

Educator, ECC and LS Performing Arts

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by instilling in students the idea that we are all creative, expressive beings capable of musical growth and appreciation, regardless of natural talent.”

Kelley Hart believes music is an integral part of a child’s life. Through music, children develop a sense of self-identity, release stress, communicate complex emotions in a healthy way, and connect with the beauty of the world through aesthetic experiences. Ms. Hart regularly witnesses the impact music has on self-esteem and confidence. Working together with fellow musicians builds long-lasting friendships. Performing allows children an opportunity to reach out and touch the hearts of all those who hear it.

Ms. Hart began her musical studies at age 8, when her parents gave her a piano and lessons for her birthday. She earned a Bachelor of Science in music education from Missouri Southern State University and a Master of Music in opera performance from the University of Texas at Austin. She has taught all ages, pre-K through high school, served on the faculty at Kenyon College, Ohio State University and the University of San Diego. She is the co-founder of Opera NEO, a local nonprofit summer opera festival. Ms. Hart enjoys teaching students of all ages and believes her strengths lie in the diversity of her musical experiences.

Ms. Hart moved to San Diego in 2010 with her husband, Peter Kozma (who is also a musician), and their daughter, Sofie (who was two at the time). When Sofie started school as a junior kindergartener, they found a loving, supportive community at LJCDS and decided to put down roots in San Diego. Ms. Hart is thrilled to be a part of the LJCDS community!
Caitlyn Milazzo

Associate Educator, Kindergarten; Coach - Soccer

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where each child feels seen, heard and loved for who they are as they learn the beauty of individuality in a group setting. I strive to stretch children’s capabilities and help them explore new perspectives.”

Caitlyn Milazzo joined LJCDS in 2023 as a kindergarten associate educator. She wants to guide children and their families in discovering the joyful process in which we all learn together. Ms. Milazzo is committed to empowering young learners to be change-makers and involving them in co-creating the classroom curriculum. She deeply connects to the Reggio Emilia Approach and values the opportunity for children to explore a wealth of unique materials as they give life to their thoughts and feelings through expressive art.

Ms. Milazzo earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary and special education from Seton Hall University, where she also played for the SHU women’s soccer team. In 2020, she earned a master’s degree in early childhood education (ECE), focusing on inclusive education, constructivism, and curriculum and instruction. Since 2012, Ms. Milazzo has been a lead and assistant educator in Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago. Drawn by the desire to support children’s social-emotional growth and early academics, she dedicated herself to ECE by helping children develop self-love and cultivate a positive relationship with school and learning.

Ms. Milazzo enjoys learning to surf, playing soccer, hiking, running, traveling, building charcuterie boards and gardening. She loves hanging out with her husband, Joe, family and friends. And she always takes advantage of every opportunity to sprinkle some puns into her daily interactions.
Jezabel Rabaneda Boo

Educator, ECC and LS World Language

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Bio

“I inspire greatness by helping my students understand this quote, ‘We have to fall in love with the process of becoming great’ by Jeff Capel.”

Jezabel Rabaneda Boo first chose La Jolla Country Day School as a mother. She was looking for an educational environment that would inspire her daughter to think big and have an open mindset, to develop her abilities and to embrace and support the emotional aspect of her being. Then, Ms. Rabaneda Boo had the opportunity to be part of LJCDS as an educator, which she thought was a true blessing, as she aligns with the school’s core values. She started in 2019 as a Spanish educator in the Early Childhood Center and the Lower School.

Ms. Rabaneda Boo received her B.A. in Education from Barcelona University, followed by a postgraduate degree in Social Theater and Educational Intervention. She taught in Spain for a few years of her career and then moved to the United States to work as a Spanish teacher in bilingual schools and at an International Spanish Academy in Florida. That was followed by five years as a Spanish teacher at Ideal School of Leadership, a multiple intelligence school that applies current brain research to educate.

Ms. Rabaneda Boo believes knowledge is the beginning of improvement, love is the way, and oneness is the ultimate truth. She likes being in nature, reading, writing, listening to music, practicing yoga and learning about neuroscience and growth mindset. She is passionate about essential oils and holistic medicine. Her goal is to be a better version of herself every day and help to build a world where everybody wins.
Porschia Talbot

Educator and Team Lead, ECC and LS Visual Arts

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Bio

“I inspire greatness by introducing my students to new ways of viewing the world and giving them the tools to express themselves through art. I believe that creative expression is imperative in building self-confidence and creating a well-rounded individual. I strive to instill a passion for exploration, invention and understanding in my students so they may go on to build a more connected and loving world.”

Porschia Talbot ’03 believes that art is the glue that ties all the other subjects and skills learned in school (and life) together. She provides her students with a safe environment, where they can make mistakes, get messy and have fun while learning how to creatively express themselves.

Ms. Talbot was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia before her family moved to San Diego. She joined LJCDS in the eighth grade and graduated in 2003. She is thrilled to be back on campus to give back to the community that gave her so much.

Ms. Talbot has taught art programs in schools in Portland, San Francisco and San Diego. In 2009, she opened an art school, My Art Shed, in La Jolla, where she provided fine art and craft lessons, workshops and camps for ages 2 through adult. Since 2017, her business has been mobile, facilitating on-site enrichment programs. Ms. Talbot also teaches weekly adult painting lessons and creates custom murals and artwork for businesses on the West Coast.

She studied architecture at The New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego while teaching art at The Monarch School for three years. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Portland State University.

In her free time, Ms. Talbot loves painting vintage cars and trucks and going on road trips with her wife, Dawn, and dog Spirit.
Laura Tonini

Educator, Kindergarten

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Bio

Read about Mrs. Tonini in a Faculty Spotlight article.
Terri Zimmerman

Educator, Kindergarten

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by teaching my children three key characteristics: confidence, risk taking and grit. Confidence for a kindergarten student is instilling that ‘Yes, I can’ attitude in all endeavors. There are innumerable opportunities on a daily basis for risk taking, a key component for successful innovators. Grit, the ability to stay with a task until completion regardless of challenges or frustration, will serve them in their future.”

Terri Zimmerman brings energy and enthusiasm to her classroom. She creates a vibrant and exciting learning environment. This environment sparks students’ curiosity and inquisitive nature. Ms. Zimmerman has taught junior and senior high school students and junior kindergarten, but kindergarten is her passion.

Ms. Zimmerman graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She served as director of a tutorial center in San Diego before joining the staff of La Jolla Country Day School in 1987. Her hobbies are horseback riding and hiking.