Teachers

Melissa Conklin

Classroom Teacher

Melissa Conklin is thrilled to be part of such a great team at the Genesee Community Charter School. Melissa received her Bachelors degree in Studio Art from Marietta College and her Masters of Education from Nazareth College. Working at a school where the Arts are integrated with the classroom is the exact setting she always imagined.

Melissa is a Rochester native but has traveled around the world. She enjoys many hobbies in her time out of school- sewing, beading, origami, music.... Melissa looks forward to learning new hobbies from her students and sharing great writing.

Maggie Torres

Teaching Assistant

Maggie Torres is ecstatic about working with such an eager and talented group of students and being part of an elite team of teachers. She became part of the GCCS team as a Room Parent Volunteer Coordinator in its inaugural year, 2001.She helped with small groups of children in the classroom and in field studies. At the same time, Maggie was a full-time student obtaining an Associate Degree in Administrative Information Processing. After graduating, however, her dedication and passion for working with children led her to become a substitute Teaching Assistant in winter of 2002. She was soon hired as a full-time Teaching Assistant in second grade during spring of 2003.

Maggie was born and raised in Rochester, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She loves working with children and being part of their educational lives. During her time off, she loves spending time with her family and thinking about what amusement park they will go to next (she and her family love thrill rides), watching movies, and reflecting and planning lessons that are challenging and fun to teach in Computer Lab class.

Kate Lewis-Kelley

Teacher

Kate Lewis Kelley was born and raised in Wayne County, NY before moving to Boston, MA where she obtained her B.A. in Sociology from Gordon College. She worked as an Educational Advocate for students with disabilities in Boston Public Schools. After having a child of her own, she decided to move closer to family and came back to the Rochester area. She and her husband now have two daughters, along with a friendly dog. The family enjoys taking hikes, growing tasty vegetables, visiting with friends, and reading together. Kate student taught at GCCS last Fall and received her Masters in Inclusive Education from Nazareth College. She is thrilled to be part of the GCCS community.