Dave Trejo

Dave Trejo is the Principal of Environmental Charter Middle School – Gardena. Dave has worked in public schools for more than 15 years in a multitude of roles, from substitute to drama teacher, P.E. teacher to department head and Principal. Dave was the founding director of iLEAD Pacoima and Valley Prep in the San Fernando Valley.

Dave is an advocate for Restorative Practices in schools. He has presented on the topic across the country, and internationally and is certified as a trainer through The International Institute of Restorative Practices. Dave is an accomplished public speaker, delivering keynotes at many education-related professional development sessions and conferences for both traditional districts as well as charter management organizations. In 2013, Dave was the keynote speaker at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers Conference. He was also selected by the Adrian Gonzalez Foundation as a Dodgers Community Hero for his work in the San Fernando Valley.

Dave graduated from USC with his B.A. in Theatre. In 2018, Dave was accepted into the prestigious Ryan Fellowship through the Accelerate Institute in Chicago. As a Ryan Fellow, he will learn the best practices in leading a successful school through the objectives of the Accelerate Framework: Change Management, High-Performing Team, Constructive Environment, Aspirational Environment, Data-Driven Culture, and Black Belt Teaching.

Dave is the youngest of five, grew up in El Monte, CA and was raised by a phenomenal single mother. He is passionate about social justice and equity, specifically as they pertain to educational outcomes in communities of color. Dave is excited to join the Environmental Charter Schools team as we work to close the achievement gap and develop agents of change.