St. Francis Academy
FACULTY
Dr. Dax Bennington
Dr. Dax Bennington holds a PhD and an MA in Philosophy from Texas Tech University and the University of Arkansas, and graduated with honors with a B.S. in Philosophy from Dallas Baptist University. Before joining Saint Francis Academy, Dr. Bennington served as the Director of Campus Ministry at Saint John Paul II and as an Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy at North Central Texas College (NCTC). In addition to his academic work, Dr. Bennington enjoys reading, going on walks, and spending time with his wife and their labrador. He currently teaches Civics at Saint Francis Academy, where he brings his deep passion for philosophy and civic education to the classroom.
Frank Rust
Frank E. Rust brings a wealth of hands-on experience to our Saint Francis Academy, having spent over 65 years exploring the outdoors through activities like whitewater rafting, fly fishing, hunting, woodworking, welding, and operating heavy equipment. After completing high school in the Chicago suburbs, he earned a commercial pilot's license at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and later built a successful 20-year career in agricultural sales. Frank is passionate about sharing his diverse skills and experiences with students, alongside his wife of 43 years, Lola, and their family.
Lana Johnson
Lana teaches Language Arts and PE classes at Saint Francis Academy. She is a wife to Charles and a stay-at-home mom to four children. She loves the opportunities SFA provides for her daughters and enjoys working with her students. Lana graduated from Midwestern State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication.
Jacqueline Knox
Throughout Jacqueline's childhood, she had the opportunity to experience and learn in private, homeschool, and public school settings. Of these three systems of education, she has chosen to homeschool her two boys with the assistance of Saint Francis Academy. She teaches the introductory Nature Study and Drawing classes and assists with Language Arts. Jacqueline also holds a bachelor's degree in Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS) from the University of North Texas.
Alexandra Ferguson
Alexandra (“Alex”) received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas and a master's degree in Multicultural Education from Texas A&M University. She has taught in various settings, both public and private, and has been homeschooling her children for the past three years. At Saint Francis Academy, Alex teaches Language Arts, Spanish, and Math Fun, and greatly enjoys learning alongside her students.
Janelle Beck
Janelle teaches Mapmaking and Geography, as well as a play-based learning class for younger children. She is a homeschool graduate who spent several years serving with Teen Missions International and graduated from their two-year bible school. She and her husband, Andrew Beck, have six children, ages 3 to 12, and are deeply committed to being involved in every aspect of their education.
Simone Krolikowski
Simone Krolikowski is a wife and stay-at-home mom. Due to a love for nature and animals she pursued a background in animal behavior and welfare. She has worked with children as a surf instructor and presented at many schools during career day as an animal control officer. She currently embraces her best role as a homeschool mama and teaches Five in a Row (literary-based curriculum) at Saint Francis Academy.
Marianna Cornejo
Marianna is a happy wife and mom of three who teaches Immersion Spanish at Saint Francis Academy. Classically trained in music from a young age, she also has a background in theater and has performed in plays at the Denton theater. In her free time, Marianna enjoys crocheting, cooking, and reading books.
Alyssa Green
Alyssa is a wife and a stay-at-home mom to two little girls. She received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development with a focus on Human Services and Special Education from Granite State College. She is passionate about helping children develop a love for learning through hands-on experiences. Alyssa enjoyed teaching at a private preschool for several years before starting her family, and she now teaches the Montessori Class at Saint Francis Academy.
Elizabeth Yarbrough
Elizabeth ("Liza") teaches Spanish, Music, Latin, Folk Dancing, and Language Arts. She has been homeschooling her children for seven years, while also offering private piano lessons, singing in church choir, leading Zumba fitness classes, teaching in prior co-ops, and homemaking. She received a BA in Music from the University of Texas at Austin, a teaching certificate from Texas State University, and has taught in a variety of schools, states, and countries before staying at home with her kids. Called to be a teacher, she loves not only teaching her own little ones, but also forming the hearts, minds, and souls of other children in our community. She is thrilled that SFA gives her the chance to do both.
Marianna Wallace
Marianna earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of North Texas in 2012. She has since been involved in education and spends her time using her gardening and homestead experience to show children God's beauty through His creation. Her passion is for plotting and cultivating her four acres with fruit trees, vegetables, ducks, and livestock. Marianna teaches several courses at SFA including drawing, gardening, farming, and language arts.