Bridge Academy

Nicole Copenhaver holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from St. Joseph's College in Patchogue, NY. She is certified in Special Education General Curriculum K-12 and Elementary Education PreK-6. After beginning her teaching career in New York, Nicole moved to Virginia to continue pursuing her passion for education. With over a decade of experience teaching in public schools, she transitioned to homeschooling in 2025 and quickly discovered how impactful it was for her family. Homeschooling allowed her to be more involved, family-oriented, and intentionally Christ-centered in her children’s education. Nicole is passionate about nurturing the whole child, building strong relationships, and fostering a love of learning through exploration, engagement, and joy. As a mother of seven children ranging in age from 1 to 17, she is deeply committed to helping all students experience success and fulfillment in their learning journey. Grateful for the strong foundation Bridge Academy has provided her family, Nicole is excited to continue serving the community this year, guiding students with purpose, encouragement, and a heart for helping each child grow in the path God has prepared for them.

¡Hola! Lilly da Silva was born in Nyack, New York, but was raised in San José, Costa Rica for 15 years where she learned her Spanish and accent. She has been married to her best friend and hero, Kenneth, for 34 years. She praises the Lord for the honor to have homeschooled their 3 children, Bryant, Brendan, and Bianca for 17 years. Lilly has tutored Spanish at home, co-ops, private tutoring, and has translated for clients and staff as needed at the PRC. As a former youth minister, she mentored them to reach out to others and to also be still and hear God's heartbeat. She has volunteered at the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol at the Southside Composite Squadron, as the squadron photographer and closet manager, which gave her the opportunity to work with cadets. She is excited about the upcoming school year at Bridge Academy!

Stephanie lives in Chesterfield with her husband Anthony, their three children: Linda (13), Daniel (9), and Hazel (6)... and a bunch of chickens. This will be their seventh year homeschooling, which she loves. Before staying home, Stephanie taught fifth grade for many years at a local Christian school. She has a passion for performing arts. In addition to directing plays and musicals in both community theaters and churches, she taught elementary and preschool performing arts. Stephanie and her family attend Parkway Baptist Church where she loves teaching children how to use their gifts to glorify Jesus. She loves all things Colonial and chicken related. She is so excited to join the Bridge family!

Julieanne (Julie) is in her final year of the Interpreting program at J.S.Reynolds, obtaining two degrees in Deaf Studies and ASL-English Interpreting. She has spent four years at Reynolds learning about Deaf culture and American Sign Language and, with her assistant-teaching experience, is excited to share it with students in a Christ-centered environment! Outside of school and the Deaf community, Julie enjoys scrapbooking, photography, and glamping trips with her family. She looks forward to bringing her love of ASL and Deaf Culture into the classroom.

Elisabeth holds a degree in Elementary Education and taught 2nd and 4th grades prior to choosing to stay home and homeschool her children. She worked at Classical Conversations for the past several years, tutoring both Foundations and Essentials (a writing and grammar program). Music has been a constant part of her life. She studied piano for 15 years and has spent her adulthood accompanying choirs, playing in worship bands, and directing children’s musicals. Elisabeth has taught private piano lessons for the past 14 years, which combines two of her favorite things – children and music. Her husband Pat pastors Kingsland Baptist Church, and she enjoys supporting his ministry by directing the children’s ministry and playing the piano in the worship band. They have 3 children-John, Alyssa, & David.

Derek grew up in Virginia Beach, VA and was called to ministry at 15. He has served in various pastoral roles of churches in VA, NC and SC. He has been the lead pastor of Parkway since 2017. He holds a BA in Music Education from Gardner-Webb University (where he met his wife Melissa), an MDiv and a ThM from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. God has blessed him and Melissa with five children: Elijah, Isaac, Sam, Esther, and Anna. Derek and Melissa’s first calling is to make disciples, helping people to see the need for Christ in the world, and empowering them to follow God’s call wherever God will lead them. Derek is passionate about leading the church to be on mission for Christ to make disciples who make disciples to send out church planters and missionaries to our neighbors and the nations. He loves the Word of God, music and worship, applied theology, his family, fun, cooking, singing and teaching.

Melissa Futrell was born and raised in South Carolina. She holds an associate degree in nursing from Gardner-Webb University, where she met her husband, Derek, who is the Senior Pastor at Parkway Baptist Church. They have lived in Virginia since 2002. Melissa and Derek have five children (22, 21, 19, 16, and 15 years old) whom they have homeschooled since 2009. Melissa and her family have been a part of Classical Conversations for many years, where she has previously tutored Foundations, and currently tutors Essentials. Melissa is not currently working as a Registered Nurse but enjoys homeschooling, baking cakes for her kids, and serving in ministry alongside her husband Derek, and is excited to be a part of Bridge Academy.

Mercy attended the University of Mary Washington where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Affairs, and attended the College of Education for History and Social Studies. After teaching in Chesterfield County for three years, she transitioned into full-time ministry at her Church where she was the Kids Director for six years. During her time in ministry, she oversaw curriculum, family resources, and events for kids ages preschool – 5th grade. After having her second child, she transitioned out of ministry to pursue being home with her kids, with the intention to homeschool her children. She still plays an active role at her church as a girl’s high school small group