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

Emily McAfee

Hi! I’m Emily McAfee, and I teach kindergarten. I graduated from SFA in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I interned at the SFA Charter School in 2021 and have been lucky enough to be part of this incredible school community ever since. I’m passionate about creating a classroom where every child feels safe, valued and excited to learn. I believe in hands-on experiences, lots of laughter, and building strong relationships with my students and their families. Helping children grow — both academically and emotionally — is the heart of what I do, and I’m so grateful to be a part of their learning journey.

emily.mcafee@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Emily's Class Schedule


Ms. Ragan Philliber

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. 

welkerrr@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Ragan's Class Schedule

First Grade

Ms. Bella Cheney

Bella Cheney

Hello, Junior Jacks! My name is Ms. Bella and I am so excited to be a part of the SFA Charter School family. I moved to Nacogdoches in August of 2020 to attend SFA. During that time I did student teaching here at the SFA Charter School and graduated May 2023 with my Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I have come to fall in love with this school and all that it entails. I look forward to creating a warm classroom culture where students fall in love with learning!

isabella.cheney@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Bella's Class Schedule


Ms. Tiffany Carr

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.

tiffany.carr@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Tiffany's Class Schedule

Second Grade

Ms. Olivia Bess

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.

olivia.blair@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Olivia's Class Schedule


Ms. Holli Zawlocki

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.

hlzawlocki@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Holli's Class Schedule

Third Grade

Ms. Elizabeth Flores

Elizabeth Flores

In December 2021, I completed my student teaching experience at the SFA Charter School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was so excited to continue being a part of the SFA Charter School family when I began my teaching career spring 2022. Since then, I have had the joy of teaching 2nd and 3rd grade!

As proud SFA alumni, my husband and I are so happy to call Nacogdoches our home to be raising our two sweet kiddos. I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach wonderful Junior Jack learners. I love seeing the sweet classroom community that is created each year. My hope is that each child will develop a deep love for learning, desire to be a lifelong learner and foster habits that empower them to create meaningful friendships in our classroom.

elizabeth.guerra@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Elizabeth's Class Schedule


Ms. London Van Raalte

London Van Raalte

I am so grateful to be teaching at the SFA Charter School! I moved to Nacogdoches in 2021 to pursue my education at SFA and graduated December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I have taught 3rd grade at the SFA Charter School.

I love to create a positive learning environment where students are engaged in their learning and are comfortable trying new things. I look forward to learning and growing alongside my students as well as partnering with their families throughout the school year!

london.vanraalte@sfasu.edu

View Ms. London's Class Schedule

Fourth Grade

Ms. Kelly Finnerud

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!

finnerudkd@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Kelly's Class Schedule


Ms. Stephanie Creel

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.

screel@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Stephanie's Class Schedule

Fifth Grade

Ms. Madison Taylor

Madison Taylor

I received both my Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary and my Master of Education in elementary education from SFA. My teaching career began with the Nacogdoches Independent School District, where I taught both second and third grade. I have been with the SFA Charter School since 2017 and have taught first and fifth 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!

taylormc3@sfasu.edu

View Ms. Madison's Class Schedule


Ms. Morgan Dean

Co-teaching with Ms. Savannah Lockler

Morgan Dean

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in educational leadership from SFA. My teaching experience includes kindergarten, second, third and fifth grade at the SFA Charter School, where I love creating a nurturing environment for young learners to grow.

Originally from the small town of Tatum, Texas, I cherish my family of four, and we share a love for our dogs, Beau and Lily. We enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s boating, wakeboarding or simply soaking in nature. I live an active lifestyle and have a deep passion for sports. Before transferring to SFA, I played two years of collegiate softball at Northeast Texas Community College — an experience that strengthened my commitment to teamwork and perseverance. In quieter moments, you can often find me with a good book in hand.

disonmm@sfasu.edu

Ms. Savannah Lockler

Co-teaching with Ms. Morgan Dean