Axe ’Em, Jacks!
The SFA Charter School serves as a field-based center for the James I. Perkins College of Education, providing hands-on and observational experiences with children for SFA students in various areas of study, including: educational studies, kinesiology, music and school psychology.
- Grade levels: Kindergarten through fifth grade (two classrooms per grade)
- Enrollment: approximately 250 students
- 22:1 student-to-teacher ratio
Meet the teachers and view class schedules
Kindergarten
Ms. Emily McAfee
I’m so grateful to be a part of the SFA Charter School family. I moved to Nacogdoches from Dallas in 2019 to attend SFA. I interned in kindergarten and third grade at the SFA Charter School before graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I look forward to growing and learning alongside our kindergarteners!
Ms. Ragan Philliber
I received my Bachelor of Science in education from SFA in 2009 and began teaching kindergarten at Woden ISD after graduation. I continued teaching there until I accepted my current kindergarten position with the SFA Charter School in 2012.
First Grade
Ms. Bella Cheney
Ms. Tiffany Carr
I'm so excited to be a part of the SFA Charter School family and the Nacogdoches community. I graduated from the University of Arkansas with an early childhood education degree in 2008. I have taught prekindergarten, kindergarten and second grade.
Prior to joining SFA Charter School, I was a stay-at-home mom to my boys. I'm beyond excited to be back in the classroom and have the opportunity to invest in my students' lives. I love spending time with family and friends and doing anything outdoors. My goal for my classroom is to create a safe place for building relationships and a positive learning environment.
Second Grade
Ms. Olivia Bess
I'm so excited to be teaching at SFA Charter School! In December 2023 I earned my degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in early childhood through sixth grade.
Besides teaching, I enjoy reading and knitting. My husband and I also enjoy playing board games and taking walks with our dogs.
Ms. Holli Zawlocki
I received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with an early childhood endorsement in 1994. I received a master's degree in elementary education as a reading specialist in 2009.
Early in my teaching career, I developed curriculum and taught kindergarten at a private school and I began working at the SFA Charter School part-time as an intervention teacher. When the opportunity became available for a full-time interventionist, I accepted the position.
As the SFA Charter School expanded, I was excited about the possibility of returning to the classroom. Since 2004, I've taught third through fifth grade Junior Jacks in a variety of subjects.
Fourth Grade
Ms. Kelly Finnerud
I graduated from SFA in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in music education and an all-level music teaching certification. I'm also certified to teach general education in grades EC-6. I have four children who all attended the SFA Charter School.
A part of the SFA Charter School family since 2010, I was first introduced to the school as a parent and then shortly after became a teacher. I taught music and often filled in as a maternity leave guest teacher. Being a guest teacher allowed me time in the second through fifth grade classrooms. I became a full teacher in 2022 and love to create an engaging and joyful classroom community where students feel safe to share new ideas and see risk-taking as an opportunity to learn!
Ms. Stephanie Creel
I received both my Bachelor of Science in education and a master's degree in education from SFA. My areas of specialization are early childhood education and reading.
My teaching career began in 2003 as a kindergarten teacher with the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. I continued teaching kindergarten in Cy-Fair until I accepted a kindergarten position at the SFA Charter School in 2008. In 2017, I had the opportunity to teach second grade. Then in 2019, I began teaching fourth grade. I enjoy partnering with my students' families for a phenomenal year.
Fifth Grade
Ms. Madison Taylor
My husband and I graduated from SFA and love being a part of the Nacogdoches community. After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from SFA, my teaching career began with the Nacogdoches Independent School District, where I taught both second and third grade.
My passion and love for teaching is driven each and every day by the young minds that come through my classroom. I truly believe that we are all lifelong learners, and enjoy growing with my students and their families. Axe 'em, 'Jacks!
Ms. Morgan Dean
I graduated from SFA with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in educational leadership. My teaching experience includes kindergarten, second and third grade at the SFA Charter School.
I grew up in the small town of Tatum, Texas and my family of four means the world to me. We love our dogs, Beau and Lily, and often enjoy time outdoors. My hobbies include wakeboarding, boating and reading. I live a very active lifestyle and have a huge passion for sports. In college, I played softball for two years at Northeast Texas Community College before transferring to SFA.