Royal Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Sharonda Snyder
Mrs. Sharonda Snyder | K3 Preschool Teacher
For the past nine years, the joyful laughter of TFA’s littlest Royals has been a constant soundtrack in the life of our beloved K3 Preschool Teacher, Mrs. Sharonda Snyder. Though she’s served in several roles since joining TFA—from grades 1–6 aide to TK and K4—she says becoming the K3 Preschool Teacher in 2021 was where she finally found “her favorite place,” lovingly adding, “the littles have my heart.”
Educational Background and Early Calling
A Melbourne native and graduate of Eau Gallie High School, Mrs. Snyder went on to study Early Childhood Education at Eastern Florida State College. She also holds her VPK certification through Head Start, equipping her to serve preschoolers with both expertise and deep compassion. Her story with TFA began long before she ever set foot on campus. While working at KinderKare, she met Ivory Crockett, who would later become the person God used to point her toward The First Academy. Ivory told her about an open position, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Following God’s Lead
“God was calling me to be somewhere closer to Him,” Mrs. Snyder reflects. “That’s how I knew I was supposed to be here.” Since stepping into the classroom at TFA, Mrs. Snyder’s personal walk with the Lord has transformed. She recalls how working with Miss Cline in the Lower School became a turning point: “We prayed together. We did Bible studies while the students rested. It definitely brought me closer to Christ.”
A Family Atmosphere
The family atmosphere is what she treasures most—the way teachers care for each other, walk through life together, and cover one another in prayer through every season. For Mrs. Snyder, the greatest joy of teaching isn’t just helping students learn letters, numbers, or routines—it’s sharing the stories of God. She lights up when she talks about how her students respond, “Their little eyes just brighten when we talk about God. And then they go home and tell their parents about Him. Knowing that I’m part of planting those seeds—it makes me feel so impactful.”
Within the TFA community, she cherishes the closeness, unity, and prayerfulness that define the culture. “We’re like a family. We come together through good and hard seasons, and we lift each other up.”
Family Life & Outside of the Classroom
Married to her husband, CJ, for 15 years, Mrs. Snyder joyfully shares life with their three children, plus a much-loved guinea pig named Tiger. CJ owns a commercial cleaning business; her daughter works on TFA’s aftercare team; her oldest son plays football; and her youngest loves soccer. Their family story began on a blind date, set up through her best friend and his cousin—and the rest is history.
In her free time, Mrs. Snyder loves bowling with her family, relaxing at the beach, reading, and reminiscing about her high school days when she played trombone and was part of the color guard.
Living Curriculum Influencer: Relationship Builder and Faithful Encourager
The Living Curriculum Influencer Characteristics that resonate most with Mrs. Snyder are Relationship Builder and Faithful Encourager. Encouraging others is part of who she is—whether she’s uplifting families, supporting her team, or speaking life into anyone the Lord places in her path.
Experience The First Academy’s Preschool, where purposeful play and strong foundations ensure learning and joy go hand in hand. Schedule your tour today to see how your child can begin their journey at TFA!