Lucas Jacob serves as LJCDS’s Director of Writing, Communication, and Media Literacy. This role involves working with all three divisions on initiatives related to communication, focusing especially on writing and on 21st-century literacies.
 
Mr. Jacob is the author of two full-length poetry collections (Sympathetic Beasts, 2023, and The Seed Vault, 2019) and two chapbooks of poems (Wishes Wished Just Hard Enough, 2019, and A Hole in the Light, 2015). He serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Media Literacy Education. Mr. Jacob’s poetry, essays, and fiction have appeared in more than 70 literary and trade journals. He earned his bachelor’s in English and African/African-American studies from Carleton College and his master’s in creative writing and literature from Temple University. For the past 25 years, he has worked as a teacher, coach, advisor, and administrator in independent schools in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Texas, and California. He had the privilege of being a Fulbright Scholar in Budapest, Hungary, in 2004-05.
 
When he is not writing or working with young people, Mr. Jacob plays guitar (sometimes in amateur bands featuring rock and blues repertoires, and more often in his living room), walks or runs for miles on end, follows the Chicago Cubs, and experiments with new dishes in the kitchen. Mr. Jacob and his wife are enjoying getting to know their new home city of San Diego.

Krystina Ann Jimenez believes that it “takes a village to raise a child” and that she is part of that village—the Torrey village. As part of the first-grade team, her purpose is to guide her students to be problem solvers, caring citizens and passionate learners. 

Mrs. Jimenez attended San Diego State University, where she received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Arts in teaching. Mrs. Jimenez has worked in various school settings, including as a first-grade lead teacher since 2009 at Urban Discovery Academy Charter School and the Gillispie School. 

Mrs. Jimenez was born and raised in San Diego and enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking yoga classes, lifting weights, and going to the dog beach with Mr. Jimenez and their French bulldog, Kubo.

Kristy Johnson attended Tulane University on a Division I volleyball scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in management in marketing. She earned her master’s degree in the humanities with an emphasis on art history from the University of Chicago. While at the University of Chicago, she served as the women’s volleyball assistant coach. Mrs. Johnson began her teaching career at The Bishop’s School. Before joining La Jolla Country Day School in 2010, she taught history and was the dean of students at Sacramento Country Day School.

Mrs. Johnson and her loving husband are devoted parents to their beautiful daughter and son, along with their two dogs. She enjoys cooking (just don’t ask her to bake), reading (anything really) and going to the beach (remember your sunscreen!).

 

As Head of Upper School, James Joseph is dedicated to enhancing the student experience. He draws on his passion for student learning, independent school experience, and team leadership background. As part of a lineage of lifelong teachers, including his mother through his great-grandmother, Mr. Joseph strives to further enrich the supportive and engaging environment in the Upper School.

Soon after graduating from Brown University, Mr. Joseph heeded his calling in education, beginning as an AmeriCorps middle school teacher and high school girls’ basketball coach.  He has worked in schools in Miami, Oakland, and Seattle, where he earned his Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington.

When not at work, Mr. Joseph enjoys exploring San Diego with his wife and hanging out with their two college-age children when they can. He loves watching basketball, cooking, reading, playing games (card, board, and video), chillin’ on a beach, and continuing his quest to find the best nachos in the area!