Meet Our English Teachers
Danielle Rickard – English Teacher

Hey there! I’m so excited to join the team here at SDVS! I’m an English teacher with 13 years of experience teaching Middle School Language Arts, English Language Development with English Learners, and Reading Intervention where I have helped middle and high school students improve their reading. What I love about teaching is actually the students! It is the main reason I am getting my Masters degree in School Counseling. I strongly believe in promoting the social/emotional wellness of students in order to help them learn in school, and grow into the best version of themselves. I just got married this summer, and moved onto a boat with my husband! It’s a tight squeeze but we are learning how to live a more minimalist lifestyle while enjoying the San Diego sun. I feel incredibly fortunate to get to live and work in San Diego!

Jessica Loughman: English Teacher

Hello, my name is Ms. Loughman and I am very excited to be an English/Music Teacher at San Diego Virtual School for the 2015-2016 school year! I moved to San Diego from upstate New York where I received a Bachelor’s degree in English and Music and my Master’s of Science in Teaching from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. I have my teaching credentials in both English and Music, and love both subjects. My hobbies include singing, playing guitar, snowboarding, and doing yoga. I live in North Park with my two cats, and I am loving getting to know more about San Diego!

Colleen Perez: English Teacher

Hello! I love being an English teacher at San Diego Virtual School! I work at our Chula Vista site and have enjoyed watching our school grow over the years. I value getting to know my students and helping them reach their greatest potential. I went to SDSU for my undergrad and earned my Credential/ Masters of Education at Azusa Pacific University.

I have lived in San Diego since I began my journey at SDSU but am originally from San Francisco. I love theater, music, traveling, working out, and spending quality time with my friends, family, and husband :)

Leah Abriani: English Teacher

I am Leah Abriani and I am pleased to be teaching Middle School English at San Diego Virtual School. I am a northern California native who has taught multiple subjects to a diversity of students in four different states across the country (but California is the best!). I love discussing literature with students and helping them organize their bright ideas into cohesive essays. In my free time I enjoy hiking and exploring new restaurants with my husband who works at SDSU.

Julia King

Hello! I am so happy to be a part of SDVS as an English Teacher. I have taught secondary English for 15+ years in a variety of settings, both online and in person. It is my privilege to get to know students and inspire them to become even better readers and writers. Personally, I am a San Diego native and currently reside in Oceanside with my family. When I’m not teaching, I am obsessed with spending time outdoors either in my garden or camping with my family in our Sprinter Van. I also love to read, draw, and yes, I’ll admit it, find new shows to binge watch on Netflix.

Nicholas Philips

Welcome! My name is Nick Phillips, and I have been teaching since 2016! I have taught at four different schools, making San Diego Virtual School my fifth! High school students are my favorite and writing is what I love teaching the most. I coach basketball, I love Esports, and enjoy watching baseball and making music. I graduated from Tehachapi High School in 2011 and Azusa Pacific University in 2014. I earned my English teaching credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. My favorite part of my job is talking to students and helping them achieve their goals, both in and out of school. Let’s talk soon!

Emily Greene

Hi, my name is Emily Greene and I am so excited to be an English teacher here at San Diego Virtual School! I am a San Diego native, born and raised in Ocean Beach, and earned my Bachelor’s degree at SDSU in Women’s Studies with minors in English Literature and LGBT Studies in 2013. I was fortunate to return to SDSU to earn my teaching credential in 2019. I am passionate about advocating for human rights and I am committed to dismantling white supremacy and all systems of oppression both in the classroom and beyond. I strongly believe that we as educators have a duty to raise global awareness to assist students to be the best versions of themselves in the classroom and citizens of the world. In my free time, I enjoy walks with my 16-year-old dog, Lulu, reading, listening to true crime podcasts,swimming with my mom and spending time with my friends and family.