Bridge Academy

Julie Ann grew up in the D.C. area where she earned a B.F.A. and then an M.Ed. in Secondary Education. She is a 3 x National Board Certified Teacher and holds a VA teaching license. She taught for 9 years before relocating to Midlothian, VA to raise her family. Julie Ann has three children- 2 sons in college and a daughter here at Bridge Academy. Julie Ann is an active member of Parkway Baptist and loves to volunteer throughout the community. In her free time you can find her teaching fitness classes and CPR classes, kayaking, hiking, backpacking and camping.

Kacy grew up in East Tennessee, where she casually attended Northeast State Community College. She enjoyed the classes and teachers so much that she just kept going back until they told her she unintentionally had enough credits for a General Studies degree in 2021. Kacy and Wes met in September 2011 and got married 9 months later in June 2012. Their journey has taken them to North Carolina and several areas in Virginia, but they know the Lord called them to plant roots here in Chesterfield. Kacy and Wes have four children: Noah, Braylan, Coralynn, and Koda. They have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Bridge, watching their children grow and thrive in this environment, and are looking forward to getting to know the Bridge community better while serving here. Kacy serves on the Women’s Ministry Team and co-hosts a Christian Fiction Book Club at Parkway Baptist Church. She enjoys a good book, facilitating service projects, and planning fellowship events alongside her Sisters in Christ.

Wes grew up in East Tennessee, where he became a lifelong Tennessee Volunteers sports fan. As a retail store manager, he has moved all around Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia, and that is what brought his family to Chesterfield through God’s sovereignty. Wes and Kacy have four children: Noah, Braylan, Coralynn, and Koda. Their family enjoys worshiping and serving together at their church home, Parkway Baptist Church. Wes has a long history with sports and athletics. Growing up, Wes participated in just about any sport available to him. His very favorite sport to play in school was football, but he was also active in swimming, basketball, golf, and karate during his off-season. Wes currently has his Coach Card from Chesterfield County and helps coach various sports for his children throughout the year. He enjoys playing golf and turning the driveway into a family basketball game.

Mary’s lifelong love of great books led her to pursue a degree in English literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon graduation she attended the College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. After marrying a handsome Marine officer, she moved to Hawaii, Louisiana, and South Carolina before settling in Richmond. Homeschooling her three children over the last 20 years has been one of her greatest joys and biggest challenges. In addition to teaching her own children, Mary has taught in private schools, homeschool academies and churches. Most recently she has been serving as the Elementary Education Director at her church.

Rebecca grew up in Mississippi and has a degree in Elementary Education from William Carey University. She has more than 20 years of experience teaching in public, private, and homeschool environments. She and her husband, Kyle, moved to Richmond from Nashville, TN in the summer of 2023. They have five children ages 10-24 and one daughter-in-law. Rebecca is passionate about seeing children's lives transformed by Jesus. She enjoys reading, baking, and listening to podcasts.

Jessa Cobean has an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology & Physical Education, with a minor in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada), along with a post-graduate diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Georgian College (Orillia, Ontario, Canada). Jessa has worked in a variety of settings providing recreation services to older adults before transitioning to being a stay-at-home mom. Jessa and her husband have lived in Virginia for eleven years and have four children. The oldest three attend Bridge Academy, where Jessa serves as both a Guidance Consultant and Substitute Teacher. Jessa is an active member of Parkway Baptist Church, and in her “free time,” enjoys cheering on her kids at swim meets, having coffee with friends, baking, fitness, and any kind of friendly competition!

Alicia’s work with children began as a volunteer teacher for an inner-city program for underprivileged children.  After marrying her dream fellow, Steve Collins, and moving out of state, she began working for KinderCare Child Care Center as a preschool teacher.  She was promoted quickly to the Health and Safety Coordinator, and finally to the Center Director position, where she developed and implemented the center’s first curriculum.  After the birth of her daughter, Emily, she felt led to stay home with her, followed by her son, Carter, a few years later.  Alicia and Steve have lived in Chesterfield County since 2004 and served in the home-school community since 2006 by tutoring in local co-ops as well as individual students. She began homeschooling Emily in the 5th grade and Carter in the 2nd grade. Emily graduated from Liberty University at 20 years of age with a B.A in History the week before she married the love of her life, Austin Kirtlan. Carter earned a masters degree in Executive Leadership and Project Management at the age of 21 year after earning a B.A. in Business with a concentration in Project Management, also from Liberty University.

Pastor Nathan has lived in Virginia for most of his life, where he attended Liberty University and focused primarily on Biblical Studies, Pre-Law, Apologetics, and Evangelism & Church Growth. He has played guitar for over 30 years and has served in ministry for over 25 years as a Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, Christian Education Pastor, and Associate Pastor. He currently serves as a Lead Pastor at Cross Pointe Church in North Chesterfield, where he enjoys preaching and leading worship every week alongside his wife.
Pastor Nathan and his wife, Lynlee, have been married for twenty years and have been homeschooling their ten children, four of which attend Bridge Academy, for seventeen years. They are both extremely passionate about teaching and nurturing future generations, instilling within them a sincere desire to worship King Jesus in Spirit and in Truth.