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.
Amanda West
Office Assistant
Amanda is married and has five children. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching television, reading, and going to church. She is working towards a Child Development Associate’s in Preschool. She has several years of teaching experience in Early Childhood Education at NCA.
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.
She graduated from Woden High School and has worked at Woden and Wells School Districts. She has a true passion for children and feels super blessed to be able to teach the children at NCA about the love of God!
Raquel Santoyo
Teacher (Toddler I)
Raquel is married to Bernardo, and they have two children. She enjoys spending quality time with family, photography, and helping out at her church.
She is in the process of completing her degree in social work, and she has done mission work with children throughout East Texas.
Deb McCoy
Teacher (Toddler 2A)
Deb is a wife to Lance, and a mom to Grant, Drake, and Colt. They attend church at Nac Naz and enjoy traveling, camping, and riding bikes together. In her free time, she enjoys finding “hole in the wall” restaurants, coffee shops, and small local businesses to support. She also enjoys running, reading, baking, and entertaining.
She has experience working in childcare and counts it a privilege to play a small role in laying an educational foundation during these early years of development.
Amber Bates
Teacher (Toddler 2A)
Amber is married to Josh. She is a mother of two children and three pets. She loves to travel, sew, and craft.
She loves teaching her students and seeing them joyful about learning.
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.
Jess Ward
Teacher (Pre-K 3A)
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 is currently completing her Child Development Associate’s Credential in Pre-K.
She has worked with children since she was sixteen years old. Working with children is her passion and her beloved calling.
Morgan Brittain
Teacher (Pre-K 3B)
Morgan is new to NCA and to education, but she is very excited for this school year in Pre-K 3. She has twelve years of experience in the medical waste industry and the medical field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health science. She loves to serve her community through various outlets.
In her free time, you can find her spending time with her daughter, doing permanent jewelry, or a DIY project.
Atalie Blount
Teacher (Pre-K 4A)
Atalie is married to Justin, and they have two children. She loves to craft, make shirts and tumblers, spend time with her family, and read. She was saved at the age of six and attends Grace Bible Church where she helps in the children’s ministry. She enjoys making gluten free desserts that she can share with others and enjoy herself.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Certification in Early Childhood. She also has a master’s degree in library and information science.
She taught in the elementary setting for nine years before having children. She was a stay at home for a time before she began subbing at NCA when her son was in the pre-K4 Class at NCA. She has held several positions at NCA including substitute teacher, floater, Chapel teacher, and now a pre-K4 teacher.
Britney Porter
Teacher (Pre-K 4B)
Britney is a wife and mother of two. She loves to spend time with her family and friends. She is passionate about education, family, and welfare.
She has an associate in business management, and she is working towards her bachelor’s in social work.
She has four years of experience in child welfare and early childhood education.
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.
Paulina Samford
Teacher (Floater / Spanish & Sign Language)
Paulina is married and has two children. They love to travel and visit new places as a family, and they attend Timber Creek Church in Nacogdoches.
She has an associate degree in general business.
Flora Simpson
Teacher (Aftercare)
Ms. Flo is a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She has one sister and one brother. Her hobbies are reading, traveling, going to garage sales, and shopping. She is a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. She is a Sunday School teacher and an usher, and she speaks at various churches.
She has an Associate’s Degree in Child and Family Development from Angelina College. She has several certifications, including a Child Development Associates Certification.
She worked at Nacogdoches Head Start and Early Head Start, 1972-2012, and has been on staff at NCA for many years.
Kristy Andrews
Teacher (Floater / Aftercare)
Kristy is married to her high school sweetheart. They have two dogs: Bear and Lucy. She loves Jesus and her family with all her heart, and she enjoys doing DIY projects in her spare time.
She has many years of teaching experience in the Early Childhood Field. She is currently working towards her Dental Assistant’s Certification.
Payton Berger
Teacher (Aftercare)
Payton is a student at SFA majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies EC – 6 and plans on obtaining her teacher’s certification. She has a passion for children and hopes to gain additional experience and have a positive impact on the lives of the children that she cares for in After Care.
Mollie Wilson
Teacher (Aftercare)
Mollie is a student at SFA majoring in Elementary Education. She grew up in a Christian home and her family faithfully attended church. Due to her mother being a youth minister at her church, she has had many opportunities to work with children of all ages, including preschool, elementary, and middle school. She loves working behind the scenes to create a loving, Christian environment for children to learn and feel safe.
Emma Stelling
Teacher (Aftercare)
Emma is in the Nursing Program at SFA. She is passionate about working with children and wants to further her knowledge and experience because her goal is become a pediatric nurse. She has lots of patience when it comes to children, and desires to have a positive impact in their lives.
Melody Reppond
Bookkeeper
Jarvis Ward
Janitor