Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Patricia Aftahi

Educator, LS World Language

(858) 453-3440 x215

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by teaching children a language that will help them connect to the world beyond their familiar community, and that will also help them on their journey for global competence.”

Patricia Aftahi has taught Spanish in the Lower School since 2011. She teaches students from first to fourth grade. She believes learning a new language is the key to understanding and appreciating a culture.

Ms. Aftahi attended San Diego State University, where she received her bachelor’s in liberal studies, and she later completed her bilingual teaching credential at National University.

Before teaching at La Jolla Country Day School, she taught for 12 years at public schools, including San Diego City Schools District and Chula Vista Elementary School District.

Ms. Aftahi enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She is the proud mom of Amir and Alexander. On the weekends you may find her cheering for her boys at a soccer field.
Lisa Bennet

Educator, Grade 3

(858) 453-3440 x204

Bio

“Each and every day I inspire greatness for a better world by working to create a classroom community built on kindness and mutual respect for one another—a classroom in which all members work together toward positive growth and the greater understanding that each of us has a story that is being sewn into the fabric of the world’s anthology.”

In order to construct a successful program, it is essential to cultivate a dynamic community of learners that is rooted in respect. Lisa Bennet believes all students bring with them unique strengths and an ability to both contribute to and learn from their interactions with fellow classmates and teachers. It is her responsibility to promote collaborative learning and social competency, support the individuality of all students, and encourage each child to explore, take risks and move toward independence. Ms. Bennet values the opportunity to guide students along this active and challenging educational path.

Ms. Bennet’s career in education began in 1988 at the Meadows School in Las Vegas. There she enjoyed 14 years as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher. Upon arriving in San Diego in 2002, Ms. Bennet was thrilled to become a part of the La Jolla Country Day School community, and in her first two years at the school, she served as the director of admission. Ms. Bennet then transferred to the Lower School and has been a part of the third-grade teaching team since 2004.

Ms. Bennet is an avid reader with a very eclectic palate. Subject matter, genres and authors range from the Great Courses series to European monarchs to Harry Potter, but nothing compares to her love of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters.
Molly Cleere

Educator, Grade 4

(858) 453-3440 x350

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students gain the confidence and skills to make a difference in the world. I empower students to grow academically, socially and emotionally. It is my goal to capture each student’s natural sense of wonder and ignite their joy of learning so they will commit to a lifetime of learning.”

Molly Cleere believes that education is the one tool that has the ability to solve the world’s greatest challenges. She knows that all students have unlimited potential to learn and educating students at LJCDS is a tremendous honor and responsibility. As the Lower School science educator, Mrs. Cleere strives to help students uncover who they are and how they learn.

Mrs. Cleere earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Bucknell University where she majored in Elementary Education and Spanish. She also received her Master of Education from Vanderbilt University specializing in English Language Learners. Mrs. Cleere taught fourth and fifth grade in upstate New York for 10 years before moving to San Diego. During that time, she was selected as a New York State Master Teacher and was an active participant in the statewide STEM program.

In her free time, Mrs. Cleere enjoys traveling, spending time with family, playing golf, watching sports, reading and playing board games.
Wendy Clemente

Educator, LS Music

(858) 453-3440 x211

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.
Kyle Espejo

Associate Educator, Grade 3; Coach - Lacrosse

(858) 453-3440

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students and athletes persevere through adversity. In the classroom or on the field, my goal is to help students realize their potential by encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone.”

As an assistant educator, Kyle Espejo has various roles in the Lower School. Every day, he supports the administrative staff and helps cultivate a safe place for students to learn and play.

When he joined La Jolla Country Day School in 2021, Mr. Espejo felt an immediate connection to the community because of the camaraderie and support from both families and staff.

When Mr. Espejo is not on campus coaching lacrosse or other after-school programs, he likes to spend his time adventuring. From beaches to mountain tops, he can be found soaking up the San Diego sun with his dog Kota.
Kelley Hart

Educator, ECC and LS Performing Arts

(858) 453-3440 x360

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!
Vaughn Kincade

Assistant Educator, Grade 3

(858) 453-3440
Beth Levin

Educator, Grade 3

(858) 453-3440 x339

Bio

“I inspire greatness in the world by making every child feel special and important. When a child feels that they are being heard, they are more open to ideas, their confidence rises, and they are motivated to do better in the world around them. I believe that when my students leave my classroom, they will be confident learners and doers.”

Beth Levin wants every child to feel loved. In her classroom, she creates a “classroom-family” environment. This leads to every child treating others with dignity, being kind, and encouraging others. There is no fear of being wrong in Ms. Levin’s class as “no question is a bad question.” With this philosophy, she creates an academic environment in which children will achieve excellence.

Ms. Levin graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in reading—with an emphasis in elementary education—from Grand Canyon University. Ms. Levin taught first grade at a private school in Bellevue, Washington for five years.

Ms. Levin loves spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid reader and enjoys going to the beach. Ms. Levin likes to exercise, scrapbook and experiment with new recipes. She also has a passion for trying new things and exploring the world around her.
Kirsten Luongo

Educator, Grade 3

(858) 453-3440 x212

Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by creating a community where everyone feels heard and valued. It is important that we teach children the importance of a growth mindset and believe that begins with creating a safe place within our classroom.”

Kirsten Luongo appreciates how LJCDS values teaching to the whole child. Her role is to provide a safe and fun learning community where students and families feel their voice matters.

Ms. Luongo’s career began as a co-teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School. She taught third grade for two years in New Haven, Connecticut, and for four years at a charter school in San Diego before starting at LJCDS in 2019. She earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education and her master’s in curriculum and instruction.
Julia Noe

Educator, LS Design & Innovation

(858) 453-3440 x325
Porschia Talbot

Educator and Team Lead, ECC and LS Visual Arts

(858) 453-3440 x225

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.