Executive Director and Head of School
Humanities & 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. 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.

As a woman in mental health recovery, Erin is a fierce advocate for people experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. 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 Coordinator & 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!”

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.

Lead Instructor & Virtual Learning Lead
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. 

We Are Wildflowers Program Manager

Annie Tickell (tick-elle, she/her) is a farmer and educator, who joined the Bridge Way School in 2025 to lead the We Are Wildflowers program. As a kid growing up in Philly, Annie found solace in the gardens of her family and neighbors. After 8 years of teaching high school in Philly and Oakland, CA, Annie found herself drawn back into gardening as a means of coping with the mental and physical stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Philly has a deeply rooted urban farming community, and Annie was lucky to be held and mentored by this community as she developed her skills as a farmer. 

Before coming to Bridge Way, Annie apprenticed and managed a public farm in West Philly for 2 years, and continues to be involved in Philly’s land and food justice movements. She has also worked as an artisan bread baker and deeply believes in the power of food to connect people to each other, and to our personal histories. Annie is motivated by opportunities that sustain community health - be it physically, mentally, or spiritually - and is interested in exploring the ways in which collectively caring for plants can provide healing and connection for young people impacted by systems of injustice. Through her studies of agriculture and herbalism, Annie has learned that plants have immense wisdom to share, and she is excited to share and deepen these lessons with Bridge Way students.

When she’s not at the garden, you can find Annie cooking with friends, tending even more plants at her home in West Philly, and giving lots of belly rubs to her sweet dog, Almond. She is grateful to be part of the Bridge Way School, and can’t wait to see what and how we grow as a community!

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.