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 Tyler Hales
    Tyler Hales
    Dean of Students, MS; Coach - Football
    (858) 453-3440 x193
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by being a positive and enthusiastic role model for young men and women in the classroom, on the playing field and in the hallway. I encourage students to think about others before themselves. I hope that students leave my classroom and football program ready and eager to make positive impacts on others and the world around them.”    
    Tyler Hales believes that there is no finer school in the country than La Jolla Country Day School, and he approaches each day with gratitude that he has the privilege to work with the best students, faculty and staff anywhere. His role on campus is to teach students perseverance, accountability, integrity and enthusiasm through his eighth-grade U.S. history curriculum and Upper School football program.
    Mr. Hales graduated from Colby College with honors in American studies and earned his professional certification in education. While at Colby, he played both football and baseball, serving as a baseball captain for two years. He earned his master’s degree in teaching and learning: research in curriculum design at the University of California, San Diego.

    At LJCDS, Mr Hales taught third grade for two years and fifth grade for three years, and served as the junior varsity head baseball coach for seven years. He has also coached Torrey football since he joined LJCDS in 2007 and was named the head varsity coach in 2014.
    Mr. Hales is originally from Lexington, Mass., and lives with his wife, Jena, who is an assistant professor in biological psychology and behavioral neuroscience at the University of San Diego. They have two young children, Coleman '31 and Delaney '33.

    Tyler Hales on LinkedIn
  • Photo of Liesl Hansen
    Liesl Hansen
    Educator, MS Band
    (858) 453-3440 x306
    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.
  • Photo of Meg Hassey
    Meg Hassey
    Assistant Head of Middle School
    Bio
     
    “I inspire greatness for a better world by honoring each student’s unique strengths, interests, and potential. Through this lens, I am passionate about creating intentionally student-centered learning experiences that make students feel seen, valued, and empowered.”
    As the assistant head of Middle School for academics, Ms. Hassey channels her passion for intentional, engaging, and relevant learning experiences into shaping the Middle School’s academic vision. She supports faculty growth and ensures the curriculum remains dynamic and meaningful. Since starting in 2024, Ms. Hassey has been dedicated to building strong relationships and serving as a cheerleader for students and colleagues.
    With a diverse background as an AmeriCorps member, teacher, special educator, school leader, and educational equity coach, Ms. Hassey brings a wealth of experience to her role. A dual-credentialed classroom teacher and education specialist, she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with a minor in education from Colby College and a master’s degree in effective teaching from the Charles Sposato Graduate School of Education.
    When not at work, Ms. Hassey enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family. You can find her running, playing soccer, reading on the beach, and seeing live music. She’s a passionate fan of women’s sports (especially soccer) and the Cincinnati Bengals (who dey!).
  • Photo of Nate Heppner
    Nate Heppner
    Educator, MS English Grade 8; Coach - Swim and Dive
    (858) 453-3440 x227
    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.
  • Photo of Maxwell Hill
    Maxwell Hill
 

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

La Jolla Country Day School

9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440

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