High School Workshops
David Benitez
My name is David Benitez, and I am currently in my third year as an English teacher at Elk Grove Charter Academy. In addition to teaching English, I also instruct classes in Independent Study, Advocacy, and Leadership. I obtained my bachelor's degree in English from UC Davis in 2020. Subsequently, I furthered my education at UC Davis to obtain my teaching credential and Master's Degree in Education. When I am not teaching, I enjoy running and spending time with my loved ones, as well as exploring various coffee shops and restaurants.
James Breakfield
I’ve been a teacher at EG Charter since 2003. I’ve taught all science courses as well as done ISP for Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior students. I’ve been the EL Cordinator for 11 years. In the past I’ve had a number of careers as a Military Police Officer, Language Interpreter (Spanish), and a Security Supervisor at a Bank. Personally, I have two teenagers and have been married for 31 years. My hobbies include anything computer based. Swimming, football, and wrestling are some of the activities I’ve been associated with. I have a BS in Computer Science, and have both a single and multiple credential. Teaching and seeing the Ah-hah moments with my students is one of the best rewards.
Josh Burt
Art has always been a part of my life. I took ceramics and photography classes when I was in High School. I attended Paso Robles High School and later Mendocino High School. I was very active in the ceramics community in Mendocino. I attended College of the Redwoods in Fort Bragg, CA and Eureka, CA, where I received my AA degree. I then transferred to Sacramento State to earn my degree in studio art. I worked as a studio potter through college and many years beyond, throwing pottery for Cloud's Porcelain in Folsom, and showing my own work in local galleries. I earned my teaching credential through San Francisco State in single subject art and started teaching at EG Charter in 2008. I have taught art and ISP at EG Charter for 13 years at this point. In the "before times" I taught digital art, digital photography, and general art. I now do my best to teach art through a computer screen, while not ideal, it is unavoidable at this time.
Tristan Church
I'm Tristan Church, a History/Social Science teacher at Elk Grove Charter. I teach 7th-11th grades and have been at Elk Grove Charter for 4 years now. When I'm not in the classroom, I'm reading, gardening, cooking, or playing video games.
Alli Conway
Alli Conway is in her 10th year of teaching Mathematics and her 7th year teaching at Elk Grove Charter. She attended Sacramento State and National University earning her single subject teaching credential with a Master’s Degree in Math Education. She was inspired by all the wonderful math teachers she had to teach math and inspire other kids to enjoy math as much as she did. When she is not teaching you can find her baking/cooking or spending time with her husband and farm animals.
Carlo Giordano
Carlo Giordano
916-7140-1653 x 51022
Timothy Moore
2025-2026 is the start of my 7th year as a math teacher, all of them at Elk Grove Charter Academy. I have always liked (and borderline loved) numbers and I hope to infect some of that love with students. The graphics, formulas, tables, and raw numbers are so interesting & describe so much. I specifically enjoy statistics and functions, but, it's not exclusive.
I have a family of 4 other people. My wife Natasha, is also an educator & teaches at Florin High. My twin daughters graduated from Elk Grove High School in 2024, and my son Seamus is 10 years old, and doing his thing in fifth grade. My main hobbies are lifting weights and going on holiday. If you mix the two, then you have the perfect weekend. Seriously, I really do like visiting gyms in different cities. I've figured I have visited something in the ballpark of 150 different gyms. I also like to visit art museums, especially impressionist exhibits. I am a sucker for late 1800 Impressionist paintings. Monet & Sisley are probably my favorite. It may sound cliche, but Sunday Afternoon (A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte) on by Seurat or Nympheas (housed in Le Musee de I'Orangerie) by Monet are my favorite.
Melissa Wade
Melissa Wade
Advocacy/ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51020
Advocacy/ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51020
I have been teaching for 16 years, this is year 11 for me at Elk Grove Charter. I currently teach 7th grade Advocacy, 9th grade health/ geography and 9th grade college and career. I also teach 11th and 12th grade Independent Study. I love teaching at Elk Grove Charter because of how individualized our instruction is to meet all student needs. When I am not here I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 kids.
