Susan Nordenger never believed that teaching is a job but rather a calling. From the first day she stepped into her La Jolla Country Day School classroom, she knew she found the place she wanted to call home. After 10 years of teaching in the Middle School, Mrs. Nordenger worked with students to create an all-school community service program. This 19-year endeavor has been the most rewarding phase of her career. Mrs. Nordenger began teaching in St. Helens, Oregon. Those first six years were split between teaching in a self-contained sixth-grade classroom and teaching eighth-grade American history, English and literature. Mrs. Nordenger fell in love with student activities, learning to work and lead students out of the classroom. She began teaching sixth grade at LJCDS in 1987. She also taught seventh-grade English for eight years and the Upper School public speaking course for 17 years. In 1997, she became the community service director, and in 2004, the school implemented its global service program traveling to India, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Ghana, Thailand, Tanzania and Kenya.

The year 2016 brought another chapter in Mrs. Nordenger's LJCDS story as she took on the role of assistant head of school for philanthropy. She is excited to work with parents, grandparents and alumni in securing the future of the school and cultivating a culture of giving. Gratitude defines her life and experiences, and she finds there is no greater privilege than to stand side by side with community members as they realize their potential to make a difference in the life of this school and the surrounding community.

http://www.ljcds.org