Executive Director and Head of School
English Language Arts Faculty

Erin Bernard (B.A. Journalism, M.A. History, M.A.T. English Grades 7-12, C.P.S. Supervisor) joined The Bridge Way School in February 2023. With an array of experience in secondary education, postsecondary learning, and public history, Erin is devoted to serving our city’s youth and addressing issues of urban crisis with the core values of love, action, resilience, and empathy. She is a seasoned teacher leader, grassroots humanities innovator, published poet, and trauma-informed educator who enjoys problem solving, building with communities, and service learning. As a woman in mental health recovery, Erin is a fierce advocate for people experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Her nationally-recognized and award-winning project, The Philadelphia Public History Truck, remains a driving inspiration in her development of rigorous, project-based learning connected to immediate issues of communities of memory. In 2024, Erin completed Certified Peer Specialist training through the Department of Behavioral Health, bringing a peer mindset to her work as a leader in recovery education. She believes that discursive spaces such as gardens and art workshops are key in engaging youth and healing.

Deeply rooted in our city’s education community, Erin is a proud mom of three children engaged in Philadelphia’s public school system. She lives with her husband, kids, dog, and cat in South Philadelphia.

Special Education Teacher
English Language Arts Faculty

Mrs. Stratton joined Bridge Way in Fall 2024 as our special education and English Language Arts teacher.  She is especially excited to be part of our community and guide youth on their recovery journey. She has been teaching for seventeen years both internationally and throughout the U.S.  In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and daughter.  “It takes a village to teach a child.  I am honored to be a part of Bridge Way's village!”

Assistant Head of School
Social Studies Faculty

Aaron Cordell (B.S.Ed.) has been an educator since 2015 with a well-rounded experience in rural, suburban, and urban schools. Aaron moved to Philadelphia in 2018 and has taught in public, residential placement, and alternative school settings in and around the city. Since moving to Philadelphia, Aaron has found his passion in teaching our city’s underserved youth and prides himself on being able to build strong, meaningful, connections with his students. His educational experience is primarily in social studies, and he loves helping students get engaged in government and politics, as well as make connections between our nation’s past and issues we’re dealing with today - placing complex histories in contemporary context with particular attention to marginalized voices. Aaron currently resides in East Kensington with his fiancée, Hannah and their dog, Ruby.

Certified Recovery Support Specialist

Amber grew up in Northeast Philly and graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School.  Most of her life she struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder.  Amber is currently living a sober lifestyle.  She never knew what she wanted her career to be, so she stuck to waitressing and never thought she would get out.  Reaching recovery made her realize that she wanted to help people experiencing substance use and mental health disorders as well. Over time, Amber became a rehab tech and completed her Certified Recovery Specialist program. She also face paints on the side.  In her addiction, Amber’s little brother started a sock drive-turned-nonprofit— “Socks for the Streets” —for unhoused community members, and today she is an official board member. 

Amber shares she is still finding herself, but she has a wonderful, supportive family, a cute puppy, healthy relationships, and a chance to help others!  Amber love sstrolling through different parks on weekend, doing makeup, and watching series on tv.  Her life has dramatically changed from losing everyone and everything from her addiction and being unhoused in Kensington to mending relationships, gaining things back, achieving goals, learning to love herself, and having her family by her side! She wants to give others hope and support because, “Our past doesn’t have to define us! There are many roads to recovery and it might seem impossible, but I want to help others see that it is possible!”

The Bridge Way School’s Recovery Support program is funded by the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and provided in partnership with The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania.

STEM Interventionist
Mathematics Faculty

Silas Nelson joined the Bridge Way School in the Fall of 2023 after working with the Big Picture Learning organization for 5 years. During this time, he has been dedicated to creating inquiry-based learning in math that allows for students to transfer academic skills into real world application. Silas has spent years in project-based learning environments at alternative schools, finding ways to make education accessible and relevant to all students. He has a passion for working with any and all students, and is currently pursuing his masters in Special Education. Bridge Way offers the perfect opportunity to support Philadelphia’s most vulnerable and important students, and ensure they have their own path to graduation and further success. He has two amazing cats and a deep appreciation for music of all genres. He is always ready to share his latest recipes with students and staff— leading our Friday community meal initiative.

Science Faculty

Wesley Ewing , M. Ed., is excited to join the Bridge Way School after spending 20+ years in education.  During this time, he had many roles as an educator such as grade teacher, Dean of Students, and science specialty teacher.  Most of his experience comes from schools in the city of Philadelphia.  He loves to inspire youth to reach their goals in an efficient and positive manner while supporting them in the challenges they may encounter.  He currently resides in Philadelphia with his son.  He takes being a father as the most rewarding role in his life and it has assisted him in transforming his teaching style. 

Social Studies Faculty

Timothy Guerrero-David joined the Bridge Way School in the Fall of 2024 after working as well with the Big Picture Learning organization for about 3 years in Philadelphia.  Beforehand Timothy has worked in education for additional 4 years throughout the state of New Jersey.  With a focus on History and Social Science Timothy has taught in both middle school and high school in public, private, and alternative settings.  During college he focused on history as well as psychology with a minor in the sciences for his diploma.  Timothy truly believes that education is key to a strong foundation in society and further believes that social and emotional learning are key elements to personal growth in our students.  Tapping into his life long experience of being a Hockey coach and athlete, Timothy keeps the students active and moving.  Being a somewhat Jack of all Trades, Timothy connects with our students on multiple levels to make sure students own their education within the classroom, as well as potentially help with anything else around the school.  Having moved to Philadelphia back in 2020, Timothy has really embraced the city with his wife Tatiana and are now raising their child Teddy here, exposing him to everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

English Language Arts Resident Teacher
Arts Support

Larry is an enthusiastic, adventure-seeking, space-holding creator of art. They began working with Bridge Way students in the fall of 2023 facilitating anti-violence workshops that focused on building healthy relationships. They became the Artist-in-Residence in the spring using their classroom as a space for healing. Art was used as a practice in letting go of perfectionism, a space for play as a tool to learn about living multifaceted lives, and a place to put/explore grief or trauma.

Larry believes that non-traditional education is key in our collective liberation. With this mindset, they practice as an educator by meeting students where they are in their learning and taking into account their full lived experiences. 

Coming on as a full-time Resident Teacher this fall, Larry brings expertise from the past ten years of working in trauma stewardship, applying antiracist frameworks to support and guide individuals through challenging experiences. Based in West Philadelphia, Larry enjoys immersing themselves in water, exploring forests, and eating culinary creations made by others.

We Are Wildflowers Program Manager

Administrative Assistant and Resiliency Support Specialist

Demetrius joined The Bridge Way School in March 2025 as the Administrative & Resiliency Specialist after dedicating 18 years to serving students through Public Health Management Corporation and the School District of Philadelphia. With a strong background in project-based learning, programming, and mentoring, Demetrius is committed to making a lasting impact on students’ lives. He believes that true learning extends beyond the classroom—while students may recall some lessons, they will always remember those who took the time to support them.

In recognition of his dedication, Demetrius received the Afterschool Champion Outstanding Policy & Advocacy Award from the state of Pennsylvania in 2020. He lives by one of his favorite quotes: “Be the person you needed when you were younger,” a philosophy that guides his work and interactions with students every day.

When he’s not at work—though that’s rare—Demetrius enjoys catching up with friends and family, often sharing laughter along the way. Recently, he became an advocate for men’s mental health, a passion he explores through his podcast, The Mental Exchange Podcast.

Recovery Artist-In-Residence

Lisa Kelley(she/her/hers) is a trauma-certified artist/advocate who is committed to building community through art-making. Lisa was born and raised in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, and had no formal opportunities to learn about art there, but knew it was something she loved to do and wanted to pursue. Lisa currently makes art in community with people who use drugs and who are experiencing homelessness in Kensington. These connections and relationships often inform her personal artwork.

Her work consists of large painted murals, weavings, printmaking, installations and textile pieces. She enjoys working collaboratively with various groups, such as schools, people experiencing homelessness, community members, families and other artists.

Lisa earned her BFA from Moore College of Art and Design, where her daughter is currently attending. She lives in Elkins Park with her husband and daughter.

(Photo credit: Cindy Fatsis)