Independent Study
Karla Adair
Karla Adair
ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51021
ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51021
Karla entered the teaching profession in 1997 and was privileged to join the teaching staff at Elk Grove Charter Academy in 2006. She stepped away from in person education when her daughter was born (in 2013) but returned to Elk Grove Charter in 2019. She loves working with juniors and seniors in Independent Study. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family or reading a book!
Jessica Bayze
Jessica Bayze
Advocacy/ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51032
Advocacy/ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51032
I've been working in education since 2008, and this is my 3rd year at Elk Grove Charter. I teach Independent Study (ISP) and 8th-grade Advocacy, and I love finding meaningful ways to connect learning to students' lives. I've earned my B.A. in History, my Single Subject Credential in Social Science, and my Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration. Sacramento has always been home for me, aside from studying abroad for a year in college. Outside of school, you can usually find me with my husband, our 4-year-old daughter, and our cat. I'm happiest with a book in hand, my hands in the dirt in my garden, or my toes in the sand at the ocean. I'm obsessed with houseplants and love caring for my ever-growing collection.
David Benitez
David Benitez
English/Advocacy & ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51026
My name is David Benitez, and I am currently in my third year as an English teacher at Elk Grove Charter School. 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.
Joshua 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, 12th grade ISP at EG Charter for 19 years at this point. In the "before times" I taught General Art, Digital art, Photography, and Computer Technology. I now do my best to teach art through a computer screen, while not ideal, it is unavoidable at this time. I also have 2 Kids, 7th and 10th grade.
John Camozzi
John Camozzi
Advocacy/ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51023
Advocacy/ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51023
John is an ISP teacher for EG Charter and has been teaching for 9+ years. John previously worked in consumer finance, but found a home in education when he became tired of finance sales world and wanted to make genuine connections. He graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a B.A. in Social Science and earned his M. Ed. from Teacher's College of San Joaquin (TCSJ). John's field of focus in education is on college & career readiness and creating a field of lifelong learners who are ready for the constantly changing landscape of the 21st century. Outside of school John enjoys keeping up with geo-politics, combat sports, and his growing family.
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
Spanish & ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51022
My name is Carlo Giordano, and this is my first year at EGCA. I earned my BA from UC Santa Cruz in Language Studies and a Master's from Grand Canyon University in Education. I previously taught Spanish at Elk Grove High School for 27 years. I'm teaching Spanish 1, 2, 3, and ISP this year. I bring a lot of energy to the classroom, so be ready! I love to ride my gravel bike along the Amercian River bike trail, travel, and be with family. My wife and I are lucky to have two wonderful children. They are both attending Cal Poly, SLO this fall. My daughter is a senior majoring in Environmental Engineering, while my son is a freshman majoring in Civil Engineering.
Carol Goodbrake
Hello! I am Carol Goodbrake, a dedicated teacher at Elk Grove Charter for over 16 years now. I love working with our friendly staff and amazing students. I truly value the one-on-one independent study model that allows me to connect with students on a personal level. I am passionate about fostering mutually respectful relationships that our school environment engenders, ensuring that every student feels valued, validated, and supported. In my spare time, I love watching reality TV and touring model homes with my husband and son, playing/cuddling with my 2 dogs and 3 cats, listening to audiobooks, swimming, riding my e-bike, and watching true crime reaction videos on YouTube. While teaching takes up the bulk of my time at present, I also aspire one day to become an author of ‘tween’ novels. But for now, I am thoroughly enjoying my role as teacher and mentor of our students here at Elk Grove Charter!
Chin Son Kim
Chin Son Kim
English/ISP Teacher
English/ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51024
Chin Son Kim is a dedicated educator with 17 years of experience, including 13 years teaching middle school English and ISP at Elk Grove Charter Academy and 3 years as a kindergarten teacher in Pittsburg, CA. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Kim cherishes spending time with her husband and their three children, aged 13, 7, and 5. The family enjoys exploring new eateries and coffee shops, and when they have free time away from the kids’ activities, they love biking, taking walks, and supporting their son’s competitive soccer games with Sacramento Republic Academy. In her spare moments (which is rare at the moment), Mrs. Kim finds joy in reading at bookstores or coffee shops, embracing the quieter side of life.
Sarah Redden
Sarah Redden
Math/ Advocacy & ISP Teacher
916-714-1653 x 51026
My name is Sarah Redden and I am teaching 7th and 8th grade math, advocacy and independent study. This will be my 7th year teaching. In the past I have taught middle and high school math in Fresno and Elk Grove. I earned my undergraduate degree, teaching credential and masters from Fresno State University. I am a mom to two little ones and enjoy spending time with family and traveling!
Melissa Wade
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.
