Teaching at La Jolla Country Day School

Faculty/Staff Directory

Department

Grade

Last Name

Caroline Becker

Educator, Middle and Upper School Choir

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by providing my students the opportunity to become articulate musicians, performers and communicators. I create an encouraging classroom atmosphere for my students to take risks and find their voice. Students who can tell a story through their voice will inspire others to do the same and become the leaders who will help impact the world around them.”

Caroline Becker believes that all music should tell a story and make someone feel like dancing. Without this basic concept, the beauty of a musical performance is simply lost to both the performer and their audience. Ms. Becker has taught and modeled this concept from the first day she stepped into the classroom.

Ms. Becker spent the first 24 years of her career teaching music education in the Upper Midwest, where she directed choral programs, orchestras, musical theater, jazz vocal and award-winning competitive show choir programs. She moved to San Diego in 2013 and loves everything about it.

Ms. Becker loves walking on the beach, singing, playing the piano, watching football and spending time with her three daughters, Kaila, Kelsey and Kylie. She is honored and thrilled to be a part of the LJCDS family.
Sean Bornhoeft

Educator, MS English Grade 7

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping my students become better communicators and encouraging them to branch out and share their thoughts and ideas with those in the LJCDS community and beyond.”

Sean Bornhoeft believes his role as a Middle School English teacher is to use course content as a tool to develop students’ English language skills, thereby helping them become responsible global citizens with the ability to effectively communicate their ideas and beliefs, and understand and respect those of others.

Mr. Bornhoeft was born and raised in Chicago. He comes to the teaching profession after law school and a first career trading U.S. Treasury Bonds. Undergraduate summers spent as a camp counselor established that Mr. Bornhoeft enjoyed working with kids, and when his financial job became unfulfilling, he left the industry to enroll in the master’s in education program at Northwestern University. He has been working at La Jolla Country Day School in various roles since the 2008–2009 school year and has held his current position as a seventh-grade English teacher and assistant Upper School football coach since 2013.

When Mr. Bornhoeft isn’t at school, you can likely find him on a surfboard somewhere off our coast, or at home with his family. He lives in North Park with his wife, Julie, daughters Madelyn and Emma, and dog Kingston.
Jenna Dalva

Educator, MS History Grades 7/8

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Bio

“I believe my role as an educator is to be that of a facilitator, rather than a narrator. As a result, I inspire greatness by encouraging students to be curious, think critically, make connections and collaborate with each other to curate their own understanding of our content. In doing so, students take ownership of their own education and become greater leaders and thinkers.”

Jenna Dalva joined the LJCDS community in 2020 as a seventh-grade social studies educator. She was drawn to La Jolla Country Day School because of the school’s commitment to creating an inclusive and dynamic learning environment for all students, as well as its focus on instilling students with a passion for social justice and an understanding of their social responsibility. Mrs. Dalva incorporates these ideals into her work with her Middle School students as they examine patterns and themes of history.

Mrs. Dalva earned an undergraduate degree in social studies education from Boston University and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Florida. Prior to moving to San Diego, she spent five years teaching social studies in both Massachusetts and Florida schools. While in Florida, Mrs. Dalva was awarded the honor of “Social Studies Teacher of the Year” for Clay County in the high school division. She is a military spouse and has been fortunate to travel and experience many places and cultures.

In her free time, Mrs. Dalva enjoys exploring San Diego’s diverse food scene and hiking with her husband and lab mix, Jeter.
Laura del Moral

Educator, MS World Language Grade 7/8

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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.
Lauren Fieberg

Educator and Department Chair, MS Science

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students develop a passion for nature and the larger universe. I encourage my students to explore, experiment, ask deeper questions and think more creatively. I hope to help them discover and appreciate the complexities and wonders in our natural world.”

Lauren Fieberg, M.A.Ed., believes that every student has the power to be an agent for change and that the next generation has the capacity and creativity to solve our most complex problems. Ms. Fieberg has dedicated her career to science education. By serving as a mentor and educator, she hopes to provide every student with the tools they need to think critically and develop creative solutions to make our planet a better place for all species.

Ms. Fieberg earned a Master of Arts in Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. It was there that she began her teaching career as an undergraduate, developing sustainability-based service projects for every freshman student.

She has taught students in public and private lower, middle and upper schools in almost every science subject. Ms. Fieberg worked with the school community to create a thriving school garden that allowed students to engage in STEAM-based experiential education.

Ms. Fieberg is a southern California native and is an avid hiker, surfer and farmer. She loves spending time backpacking, playing guitar/uke/banjo, and growing gardens complete with chickens and ducks. She enjoys farmer’s markets and vegan cooking with her husband and taking long walks with her terrier mix, Lincoln.
Alexis Grinbold

Educator, US Ceramics and MS Visual Arts

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Bio

“I inspire young artists to engage with the process of making art. It is unreliable, absurd, delightful and invigorating. It is everything and nothing, direct and meandering. It is important that young artists recognize these permanent and fleeting notions because it is here in these moments when the adventure of exploring art begins.”

Alexis Grinbold teaches young artists in both Middle and Upper School with a focus on ceramics. She earned a B.A. from the University of California, San Diego. After graduating, Ms. Grinbold worked in an environmental design studio in San Diego with a small group of designers fabricating custom ceramic tile for residential and commercial developments. This led her to pursue an M.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where she began teaching in both the ceramics and C.O.R.E. program and also served as the ceramics lab tech assistant.

After graduating from SAIC in 2013, Ms. Grinbold moved back to San Diego and started substitute teaching at LJCDS while maintaining a strong studio practice and acting as an exhibition committee member at the nonprofit art organization Space4Art. She implemented a ceramic program there, installing a kiln and glaze lab for the community. Ms. Grinbold taught full-time at LJCDS, building the ceramics program and teaching AP Art History before moving on to teach at a community college in Palm Desert, CA. There, she started a partnership with the Desert Institute for the Joshua Tree National Park Association, teaching wilderness cooking and baking workshops. Ms. Grinbold returned to LJCDS in 2021 after teaching art and art history at the University of Redlands, Crafton Hills College, College of the Desert and San Diego City College.

When she is not teaching or working in the art studio, Ms. Grinbold is reading or watching anything related to sci-fi, ancient civilizations or animation. She also loves baking and being in nature with her son who inspires her to be an explorer in the world.
Liesl Hansen

Educator, MS Band

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Bio

“Music is an essential part of our humanity. I inspire greatness every day by exposing middle school students to the hard work, dedication and teamwork it takes to make that music happen. These remarkable students will go on to become even more remarkable adults, and my hope is that wherever life takes them, they are able to look for and appreciate the culture and beauty around them.”

Liesl Hansen is the Middle School band director at La Jolla Country Day School and takes students from producing their very first notes in fifth grade to being ready to join the Upper School program when they are finished in eighth. Ms. Hansen has been the director since 2007 and has watched the program grow to be an integral part of the culture, not only of the Middle School but of the community as a whole.

Ms. Hansen began her training when she was in fifth grade, when she chose to play the French horn, and music has been a part of her life ever since. She received her bachelor’s in music education from Michigan State University, where she was a member of the Spartan Marching Band for five years. She also spent a semester studying horn performance abroad in Vienna, Austria, and had the honor of studying with Wolfgang Tömbeck, principal horn soloist for the Vienna Philharmonic.

Ms. Hansen performs with various community ensembles, is an avid member of Hornswoggle, an all-French-horn ensemble, and is also a member of the orchestra for San Diego Musical Theater.

Ms. Hansen enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two young sons, Legos and parks being some of their favorite activities to share.
Nate Heppner

Educator, MS English Grade 8; Coach - Swim and Dive

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by enveloping our students in literature and writing, which allows them to confront their own humanity, the humanity of others or, more likely, both at once. The ultimate purpose of eighth-grade English is to offer a variety of paths that converge on the road of life, by which students might exit the school year as more complete versions of themselves.”

Nate Heppner grew up in Palmer, Alaska. He is a 1998 graduate of Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. He taught for two years in Portland, Ore., and one year at Crawford High School before coming to La Jolla Country Day School. He could hardly believe his luck to arrive at a school where the curriculum includes “Ender’s Game,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Romeo and Juliet,” plus trips to Catalina Island and Sequoia National Park.

Mr. Heppner has been teaching Middle School English and coaching the Upper School swim team at LJCDS since the 2002–2003 school year. In addition, he teaches public speaking as a first-trimester elective for seventh- and eighth-graders.
Marisol Irwig

Department Chair, MS World Language; Educator, Spanish Grade 8

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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.
Dan Lenzen

Director of Design & Innovation

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by teaching our students to empathize with the difficulties others face and how to be proactive problem solvers. Human-centered design requires a deep interest in how others experience the world, a sharp analytical eye and the courage to try to improve the world. I teach students the technical and human skills that will allow them to tackle problems of any size.”

Before to coming to LJCDS, Dan Lenzen earned his Master of Science in cognitive science at the University of California, San Diego, where he designed methods to study gesture and sign language with the Microsoft Kinect and taught design to undergraduates. This work built on his interest in how cognition exists in our mind and bodies that began when he earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Colorado College (with a focus on social psychology). He spent three years as a researcher at the University of Chicago, investigating the role of gesture in learning in middle school students. These experiences provided Mr. Lenzen with skills in human psychology, research design, web design and computer programming.

Mr. Lenzen is the director of Design & Innovation and teaches courses in the Upper and Middle Schools.

As a native Chicagoan, Mr. Lenzen has joyfully embraced the San Diego lifestyle—surfing, hiking and actually enjoying the months between October and April.
Lori Long

Educator, MS Math Grade 7

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Bio

“I teach students first and content second. I believe the connection and bond I form with my students is critical to their success, and I pride myself on getting to know each and every student and learning how to maximize each student’s potential.”

Lori Long aspires to help students acquire conceptual understanding of mathematics through problem solving. She uses problem solving as an opportunity for students to apply their mathematical thinking skills not only to the academic world but to the real world around them. Because students are formulating opinions about their math abilities, it is her goal to help create a positive attitude about math so that students leave her class believing they are capable of success in the subject. Nothing is more heartbreaking to Ms. Long than to hear an adult say, “I was never good at math!” To this she always responds, “You just didn’t have teachers who inspired and encouraged you,” because Ms. Long believes all individuals are capable of success in math when they have good instruction.

Originally from California’s Central Valley, Ms. Long is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, and Fresno Pacific College, where she received her K–8 teaching credential and earned her Master of Arts in math and science education and an administrative credential. Before coming to La Jolla Country Day School in 1996, she previously worked in a public school district in Fresno as both a teacher and administrator. She has worked at all levels, from second grade through high school. When asked which grade she enjoys most, she says whichever one she is currently teaching!
Martin Mays

Educator, MS History Grades 7/8; Coach - Football

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by providing a safe learning and growing space. I help students feel comfortable speaking their minds and taking chances. I promote respect, compassion and care for others. I strive to challenge individual growth and encourage community involvement to become positive, instrumental members of society.”

Martin Mays is thrilled to be a part of the amazing school where he collaborates daily with a diverse staff and exceptional students. Mr. Mays loves teaching Grades 7–8 history and being able to show students different world perspectives to help them grow into educated young adults. He is also part of the football coaching staff in the Upper School.

Mr. Mays is from Lake Oswego, Oregon. He graduated from Linfield College with a Bachelor of Arts in history and concurrent teaching credential. After teaching in Oregon for three years, Mr. Mays earned his Master of Arts in higher education from the University of Redlands. He dedicated a few years to coaching collegiate football at the University of Redlands, Orange Coast College and the University of San Diego. Mr. Mays returned to teaching at Loyola High School in Los Angeles where he taught physical education. Before joining LJCDS in 2019, he spent a year teaching language arts and social studies at St. Columba Catholic School.

Mr. Mays enjoys traveling, going to the beach and exploring San Diego with his wife, Holly. He also has two daughters, Sloane and Stella.
Annie Milleret

Educator, MS World Language

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping my students discover French-speaking cultures, as well as giving them the means and the desire to communicate and exchange with them. I encourage my students to feel confident making mistakes, as it is the only way to learn a new language, and I encourage them to take risks to grow as students and citizens of the world.”

Annie Milleret has been working in world language departments teaching middle and upper school students since 2014 and joined LJCDS in 2022 as a Middle School world language educator. She loves to learn everything she can about languages and linguistics. Ms. Milleret earned diplomas in Teaching French as a Second Language from McGill University and in French Literature from the University of Montreal.

When she has time, Ms. Milleret enjoys doing pro-bono interpretation and translation work for asylum seekers coming from French-speaking countries. She received the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate from the State Bar of California for her volunteer work and was a recipient of the Casa Cornelia La Mancha award in 2020.

Ms. Milleret loves to share her passion for languages with her students. She is a very enthusiastic teacher and uses the communicative approach.

When she is not at school, Ms. Milleret spends time with her husband, three kids and two dogs. She loves to travel, read anything about World War II, and take long walks exploring California’s beautiful nature.
Noa Parker

Educator, MS Science

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by seeing the whole child, in every child, and providing a space for students to become their best selves every day. I encourage students to explore curiosities about the natural world and think critically to develop new ideas with all the resources around them. I motivate students to find joy in learning and advocate for themselves to be the most successful members of a community.”

Noa Parker, MAT, joined LJCDS in 2022 as a science educator for Grades 7 and 8. She believes that with the combination of curiosity and creativity, young scientists grow into deep critical thinkers and strong leaders of change. As an advisor and educator, Ms. Parker hopes to foster the love of nature in each student and encourage adventure, risk-taking, and advocacy in their daily lives. She was drawn to the LJCDS community by the inclusive atmosphere and the emphasis on sustainability and an inquiry-based approach in all science departments.

Ms. Parker earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science with a concentration in wildlife conservation from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. During her undergraduate studies, she worked to rehabilitate howler monkeys back into the wild in Belize and began leading teen travel tours across the Pacific Northwest. These experiences, along with courses in environmental education, encouraged her to get into the field of education.

Her education career began when Ms. Parker joined the Chicago-Northwest Indiana Teach for America Corp. She earned her Master of Arts in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education and has taught sixth- through eighth-grade science since 2018. During her time teaching in Chicago, Ms. Parker also started and coached Science Olympiad teams, taught art and coached ultimate frisbee.

Ms. Parker was born and raised in Minnesota and is an avid outdoor adventure seeker. In her free time, you can find her hiking, camping, kayaking and exploring all the nature that San Diego offers. She also enjoys frequenting farmers markets, picklin’ and making pottery.
Michael Peveich

Educator, MS and US Technical Theater

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Bio

“I Inspire greatness for a better world by empowering the well-educated minds of our children to be collaborators in the creative process. Technical theater requires innovative solutions to unknown problems, and the easiest way to innovate and solve problems is to fall back on experience and knowledge. I expect my students to be contributors, innovators and problem solvers because these traits will serve them well beyond the theater and their years at LJCDS.”

Mike Peveich believes that theater and its design present people at their most vulnerable and allow the most authentic self to be laid bare before an audience. In the shop, it’s critical that the designers and technicians feel capable of safely expressing their authentic selves in their designs to best serve the production, the author and the audience.

Mr. Peveich began his technical theater career in college at Belmont Abbey, where he served as the assistant technical director. Following his graduation, Mr. Peveich served as technical director and designer at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte before returning home to Ohio to work as the technical director and designer at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson. Since arriving at LJCDS, Mr. Peveich has helped numerous students find their passion for theater and gain acceptance into prestigious theater schools such as The University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, USC and more.

In his free time, Mr. Peveich enjoys golfing, cooking, and spending time with his wife, Megan, son Benedict ’34, a husky dog, Brutus, and a cat named Jawa.
Riley Pratt

Educator, MS Math Grade 7

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by preparing the next generation of problem solvers. I encourage students to view themselves as mathematicians, developing creative solutions and deeply analyzing problems while utilizing multiple strategies. Students in my classes practice critical thinking skills that can be applied to any future education and career pathway.”

Riley Pratt has always appreciated the beauty in mathematics, and her role is to inspire students to see the many applications of math around us. She believes that all students can succeed and works to develop students’ growth mindsets. Her classes center on inquiry as students explore and discover the mathematical methods necessary to solve new problems.

Mrs. Pratt is from Portland, Oregon. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and her teaching credential. Later, she earned her Master of Science in education from Johns Hopkins University. Before joining LJCDS, she taught high school mathematics for four years ranging from Algebra 1 to International Baccalaureate Calculus.

Outside of teaching and math, Mrs. Pratt enjoys hiking with her dog and playing board games.
Chad Przymus

Educator, US Band and MS Music Elective Grades 78

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by bringing my passion for music education and performance to each classroom and ensemble. Quality music education provides experiential learning that cross-sections cultures and countries. I strive to blend that broad musical scope in a collaborative and cooperative environment.”

Chad Przymus believes that music is one of the rare disciplines that integrates creativity, communication, critical assessment and commitment within an expressive art form. These attributes can be found in many subject areas; however, music does not make them optional but a fundamental necessity from the first note performed. His comprehensive band program strives for this excellence each day.

Prior to joining La Jolla Country Day School in 2013, Mr. Przymus was a band director and percussion instructor in the Upper Midwest for 25 years. He directed concert, jazz and marching bands of all ages and sizes, and developed award-winning programs in Iowa and Minnesota.

Mr. Przymus enjoys running and almost every kind of drumming, especially taiko drumming. After being awarded an artist grant to study in Japan, he continues to instruct, compose and perform taiko drumming in the San Diego community.
Ciara Rafferty

Educator, MS Art

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Joe Rowling

Educator, MS Strings and Orchestra

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world through music. I motivate students to strive for excellence and inspire them to recognize their greatness individually and collectively.”

Joe Rowling believes that music education is important for the sake of music. As the Middle School orchestra director at La Jolla Country Day School, Mr. Rowling’s role is to teach students perseverance, dedication, teamwork, beauty and creativity through playing a string instrument. Students in Mr. Rowling’s classes hopefully leave with a lifelong love and appreciation of music.

Mr. Rowling was born in San Diego. He began studying piano and violin at age 7, and later the viola. Growing up, Mr. Rowling was a member of several school and youth orchestras around San Diego County. After “messing around” on the piano one day, he gained an interest in composing. This led to him entering and winning a few young composer competitions.

Mr. Rowling continued his education at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he studied music education. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s of music. While studying in Los Angeles, Mr. Rowling participated in USC’s Outreach program, where he taught free after-school music classes to local elementary schools that did not have music programs of their own.

Mr. Rowling started at LJCDS in 2007. Besides teaching, Mr. Rowling is currently principal violist of the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra, does quartet and duet gigs with colleague Joan Diener, and works as a real estate agent for his family’s company. When Mr. Rowling has free time, he enjoys seeing friends and family, traveling, and playing disc golf.
Bob Simon

Educator, MS Design and Innovation; Coach - Golf

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Lillian Sung

Educator, MS and US World Language

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Bio

“I inspire greatness by immersing my students in a foreign language and culture.”

Lillian Sung believes her experience and training have enabled her to evaluate diverse teaching styles from a unique perspective. In her own teaching, she strives to strike a balance between traditional and liberal methods. While Ms. Sung places a high value on maintaining classroom discipline and fostering hard work, she also tries to create an environment where students take joy in learning and feel comfortable participating in class. Ms. Sung appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community by sharing her knowledge and cultural heritage with students at La Jolla Country Day School.

Ms. Sung grew up in Taiwan, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She came to the United States to pursue her master’s degree in linguistics, with a focus on teaching Chinese as a second language. She later received a California single-subject teaching credential in Mandarin. Prior to joining LJCDS in 2011, she worked as a Chinese instructor at Palomar College.

Ms. Sung’s favorite quote is by Scott Hayden: “Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners and the love of bringing the first two loves together.”
Danice VonFeldt

Educator, MS English Grade 7-8

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students discover the power of words. We make a difference when we become articulate communicators and judicious listeners. I tell students to write their own story so that no one else will write it for them. This is how we discover the type of person we will be and what type of impact we will leave on others.”

Danice VonFeldt’s passion is to work with students to help cultivate the next generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifelong learners. Her educational philosophy is based on the understanding that acquiring knowledge is an endeavor that is best nurtured when students are curious, inspired and motivated. It is her mission to provide a rich, stimulating environment that allows students opportunities to explore, discover and experience the power of language through quality literature, relevant experiences and joyful interpretations.

Ms. VonFeldt joined the Middle School in 2013. Prior to teaching at LJCDS, she worked at the Pingry School in New Jersey, first as a third-grade teacher and then as a literacy specialist for the Lower School. She has more than 15 years of teaching experience in both public and independent schools. Ms. VonFeldt has a multiple-subjects teaching credential and a master’s degree in teaching and learning from the University of California, San Diego.

When not in her classroom with fantastic and inquisitive students, Ms. VonFeldt enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. She has two wonderful children that keep her very busy. They love to camp, hike, kayak and explore new places. When family activities quiet down, she can be found curled up on her couch reading a good book!
Robert Wagner

Director of the Arts

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Bio

“Through an arts education, is an education in the human condition. Through painting, building, singing, performing and shaping, students learn to understand themselves and the world around them. I inspire greatness by ensuring students have a safe place to discover their true selves as they experiment with how to create art which shapes, reflects and challenges the world around them.”

Robert Wagner received his Bachelor of Arts in theater and dance from Muhlenberg College. He founded a nonprofit high school performing arts program for inner-city youth in Allentown, Pa. and served as the manager of education and outreach for Muhlenberg College’s Summer Music Theatre.

Mr. Wagner started at LJCDS in 2012 and has taught Middle and Upper School dance and drama and choreographed and directed all of the theatrical productions. In 2022, he became the director of visual and performing arts.

Professionally, Mr. Wagner performed with the Enchantment Theatre Company’s national tour of The Velveteen Rabbit, sang and danced his heart out in countless summer stock productions on the east coast, and choreographed and assistant-directed the La Jolla Playhouse W.O.W. Festival productions of Heaven on Earth and Under Construction. He has served on the board of the international nonprofit Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, Inc., and was the director of performing arts at the Swain School for four years.

In his free time, Mr. Wagner loves playing with his Goldendoodle, Midas, and traveling with his husband Brent.
Casey Walker

Educator, Design and Innovation

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Bio

“I inspire greatness for a better world by helping students see the connection between learning to tinker with projects in the classroom, and creating opportunities to innovate and make changes in their communities and society.”

Casey Walker joined the Design and Innovation team in 2021. She is passionate about using inquiry-based education to help students develop a critical mindset, personal agency, and a love of both learning and making.

Before joining LJCDS, Ms. Walker taught art, design and engineering for six years at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison, New Jersey. She helped to develop their STEM curriculum and established their educational makerspace. Ms. Walker grew up in New Jersey where she earned her A.F.A. from County College of Morris and B.A. in studio art from William Paterson University. She spent two years in Philadelphia, where she earned her M.Ed. in student personnel services from Widener University and learned to call long sandwiches “hoagies.”

In 2018, Ms. Walker worked as a freelance contractor, assisting with product design and crowdfunding for a small tech-craft business. This intersection of design, technology and entrepreneurship primed Ms. Walker for her role in the Design and Innovation department at LJCDS.

Ms. Walker is a cat mom who enjoys roller skating, live music, meeting dogs, and all kinds of making; she has even dabbled in blacksmithing. Two of her favorite things to make are jewelry and food.