Our Team

Cheryl Latta,

Founder, Director and Teacher
20 + years of teaching with elementary, middle and high school aged students locally and internationally.
NC Licensed Teacher 
BS in Education/ MS School Counseling - all courses completed
Certified Mentor -  Living With Purpose Mentor Training Program

For over two decades, I've had the privilege of learning alongside kids. My path as an educator and as a parent to five children, has been the foundation for a lifetime of teaching, learning, and growing. 

It began in elementary schools in inner city Atlanta where I learned the vast resources kids have within to lead and create their learning journey alongside teachers, then led me internationally to the Western Academy of Beijing, and later to middle and high school settings at the Community School of Davidson. Through these diverse experiences, I continuously explored how to cultivate truly responsive learning environments.

My specialized training in school counseling and social-emotional wellness, alongside creating alternative programs and mentoring co-ops, cemented my passion for nurturing children's innate capacity. This lifelong commitment culminated in the founding of Bridges Academy in 2024—a small, supportive community designed for middle years students.

At Bridges Academy, we fundamentally believe every child is a unique, capable individual with inherent gifts. Our role as emotionally and intellectually mature guides is to act as thinking partners, helping them embrace their identity and discover their vast capacity to know, learn, and create a life they love. We foster an interconnected, collaborative, and safe space where learning emerges from a deep sense of personal competence. Here, children learn to navigate their path, make powerful choices, and thrive by truly acknowledging and accepting themselves. This foundation of self-trust is where all essential learning thrives, allowing us to celebrate the incredible potential within every child. 

 I believe that having teaching partners who balance each other's talents and perspectives in true collaboration profoundly enhances and inspires the learning journey for kids. That's why I'm incredibly excited to work again with my oldest son, Scott.  

Scott Latta,

Co-Director and Teacher
B.A Sociology & Economics, UCSC
7 years of teaching experience,
Behavior Technician at Park View Elementary School
EC Teacher Assistant at Mooresville Intermediate
Electives Teacher at Community School of Davidson

Hi everyone! I am so excited to be joining Bridges Academy for the 2025-26 school year and teaching alongside mom! Though I began my education career with a conventional focus on academics tutoring students throughout college as well as leading a class for the Community School of Davidson, for the past couple of years I have shifted into behavioral support, trauma/crisis response and serving exceptional children's communities at the Mooresville Graded School District (MGSD).

I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded by such passionate and driven educators, these past couple of years have been transformative in defining my understanding of the needs of children and where I stand to impact within that puzzle.

One thing that has become clear to me is that no matter how functional the school system or even district is, highly populated often chaotic environments simply do not work for everyone -and that’s OK! Our system is large and necessitates large format institutions, but we must have alternatives as well.

I am so optimistic for the positive change a small format style micro-school can bring to students and parents seeking an alternative to contemporary education.

My number one goal in joining a school like Bridges Academy is to utilize my trauma informed trainings and Restorative Practice experience to develop a robust culture and sense of community where students feel safe to freely express and be themselves to the fullest extent. I want kids to feel a sense of excitement and power that comes with having an idea and making it a reality.