At Nacogdoches Christian Academy, we are not a daycare; our goal is to provide age-appropriate learning that prepares your child for the next phase of their education.
Based on Biblical standards, we hire teachers from diverse backgrounds, but each proclaims their love for Christ and an eagerness to nurture our students in Christian love. Through our oneness with Him, we work as a team to educate children in the manner to which we believe the Bible instructs.
Faculty
Melissa Hughes
Director
Melissa Hughes has been on staff at NCA since the fall of 2004. Starting as the Director’s secretary, she has worked her way through the ranks, serving in many capacities including Office Assistant, Kindergarten Teacher, School Manager, and now Director. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Management from Grand Canyon University. She has obtained her Child Development Associate’s Credential and Texas Child Care Director’s Credential. She has worked closely with Texas Workforce Solutions over the past several years to help NCA become a 4 Star Texas Rising Star Facility. Melissa has a true servant’s heart and endeavors to be like Christ in all that she says and does.
She has been married to Jon, her high school sweetheart for 33 years, and they have three adult children; Jonathon who is married to Megan, Brendon, who is married to Abbiey, and Kameron. She has one grandson and one granddaughter. She has a true heart for children and pours her life and energy into enriching the lives of others.
Wendy Boothe
Assistant Director
Wendy has many years of experience working in Early Childhood. She has been with NCA for the past ten years. She has a Child Development Associate’s Credential in Infant and Toddler, a Texas Child Care Administration and Business Practices Certificate, a Child Care Administration Certificate, and a Certificate in Child and Family Development. She plays an intricate part in the day to day activities at NCA.
She is married to her high school sweetheart, Marty, and they have two children. She enjoys crafting and camping with her family. Wendy loves the Lord, and attends Nac Naz.
Camille Pinkston
Teacher (Toddler I)
Camille is married to her high school sweet heart. She has two grown daughters and six beautiful grands! She loves JESUS, crafting, photography, and spending time with family.
Helen Drewery
Teacher (Toddler 1)
Helen is an online student at SFA. She has worked at NCA since January 2024.
She enjoys volunteering in her church nursery, baking, and reading. She loves her three cats. In her spare time, she enjoys online shopping, crossword puzzles, and knitting/crocheting. She is a big fan of drinking coffee and tea.
Jeanne Hughes
Teacher (Toddler 2A)
Jeanne is an online student at SFA, majoring in Finance.
She started working at NCA in January 2024. She is the oldest of four siblings. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and collecting fun socks.
Leslie Alvarez
A'Leena Moore
Teacher (Toddler 2B)
A’Leena is married and has a son. She is an artist, who loves to paint, color, craft, and sing.
She has a Child Development Associate’s in Infant and Toddler along with several years of teaching experience at NCA.
She hopes to continue to learn new ways to engage and teach the young children as she serves at NCA.
Amanda West
Amanda is married and has five children. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching television, reading, and going to church.
Carolyn Jasso
Teacher (Pre K 3B)
Carolyn is married and has three children. She loves working with young children, and she is in the last stages of completing her Child Development Associate’s Credential in Infant and Toddler.
Tara Rollins
Teacher – (Pre K 4A)
Tara is a mother of three, and enjoys spending time with her family. She has been at NCA for several years and has worked with all ages including toddlers, 3’s, and Kindergarten. She is excited about starting a new adventure this school year in Pre K 4.
Erica Welch
Teacher – (Pre K 4B)
Erica is married and a mother of one. She loves Jesus, and she is a Dr. Pepper fanatic.
Dessie Tieman
Teacher (Kindergarten)
Dessie is married with five children and five grandchildren. She loves camping, reading, lesson planning, and attending church at The First Church of the Nazarene.
She has a bachelor’s degree in education from SFA, and is certified in Math, EC-6 Generalist, ESL, and Gifted and Talented.
She has many years of experience in the classroom, but she has worked with children in some form for over thirty years.
Kameron Hughes
Teacher (PE)
Kameron is NCA’s Kindergarten Physical Education Teacher, and she helps out in other areas of the school, as needed. In her spare time, she likes to scuba dive, run, workout, and spend time with her family and friends.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from SFA and is a certified teacher in Early Childhood through Sixth Grade. She has many years of experience working with children of all ages due to the call that God placed on heart to children’s ministry at the age of thirteen.
She loves Jesus with all her heart, and it shows in everything that she does.
Leslie Garcia
Floating Teacher Assistant
Leslie is a 2023 High School Graduate from Woden. She loves to paint, draw, and watch movies in her spare time.
Katie Villanueva
Katherine Hawthorne
Floating Teacher Assistant
Katherine is a mother of twin girls. In her spare time, she loves to do calligraphy, go on walks, and listen to music.
Jess Ward
J.O.Y. Coordinator (After Care)
Jess is a servant of the King, and loves to tell others about Jesus! She and her husband, Joseph, have two boys, Kode and Kiesel. The family stays involved in His kingdom work whether it takes them to a church event or on a hike through the woods on a quiet family night in.
She has completed her Child Development Associate’s Credential in Pre-K, and is now the J.O.Y. Coordinator for our after school program.
She has worked with children since she was sixteen years old. Working with children is her passion and her beloved calling.
Brooke Boothe
Michelle Garcia
Chloe Roberts
Flora Simpson
Nicole Burkhalter
Bella Bennett
Maci Posey
Melody Reppond
Bookkeeper
Jarvis Ward
Janitor