Staff

Lisa Meier, School Director

I am honored to serve as the school director of Cornerstone Christian School. My family and I reside in Windsor, where we have been blessed to be a part of this local community for nearly twenty years! My husband, Todd, my youngest daughter, Gabby, and I actively attend and serve at Liberty Live Church in Smithfield.

With almost 30 years in education, I have embraced various roles within the public school system in Isle of Wight and Hampton. As an elementary classroom teacher, instructional coach, and administrative aide, I have gathered invaluable experience that I’m eager to share with the Cornerstone community.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Psychology with an elementary education certification, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership (K-12). I am passionate about Christian, classical education and I can’t wait to see how God will work through our school community!

Kristy Cornette, 5th & 6th Grade

I am beyond excited that God has called me to be a part of what He is doing at Cornerstone. I have been an educator for over 20 years. During that time I have taught a variety of grades and subjects from K4-12th grade. Most recently I completed 15 years as an upper school teacher at Suffolk Christian Academy where I also coached volleyball, basketball, and softball.

I live in Suffolk with my husband, Scott, who is the pastor of Abundant Grace Baptist Church in Franklin. We have 5 adult children and we love sports and travel. I am looking forward to building relationships and partnering with parents to bring a classical Christian learning experience to Cornerstone’s students. I know the Lord has great plans for the Cornerstone community and I am thankful that he is allowing me to be a part of it.

Elaine Holliman, 4th Grade

I reside in Carrollton, Virginia. I am a mother of two children and a grandmother of three. I am a retired teacher of thirty-eight years. My education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am a member of Grove Church in Portsmouth, Virginia. I am truly excited to be a part of the Cornerstone Christian School family. I bring with me a wealth of knowledge and love of God's Word to equip our young minds for the future.

Kaitlyn Strunk, 3rd Grade

I feel so blessed to be joining the Cornerstone Christian School team this fall! We just moved to Smithfield and have fallen in love with the town! I am married and have a sweet pup named Goose. My husband is the Next Gen Pastor at Smithfield Christian Church. 

I graduated from Johnson University in 2022 and have worked in student ministry for the last several years. 

As we prepared to move to Smithfield, I was praying for an opportunity to be a part of the community and to be able to utilize my gifts for God’s Kingdom. This will be my first year teaching but I couldn’t be more excited to help your students learn and grow!

Isabelle Littleton, 2nd Grade

I am so, so excited to be a part of Cornerstone! My husband, Peyton, and I have been living in Smithfield for two years now, and he serves as the Worship Director at Liberty Live Church in Smithfield. I have always had a passion for learning and being in the classroom, and I cannot wait to share this passion with my students.

I recently graduated from Liberty University with my Master of Arts in Composition, so while I like to think that English is my specialty, I love every aspect of academics. Being a part of Cornerstone is an answer to prayer, and I am looking forward to loving on each child and his or her family!

Kristen Melvin, 1st Grade

I am so excited to teach at Cornerstone Christian School! I currently live in Windsor with my husband, Michael, and two sons, Camden and Myles. We are members of Liberty Live in Smithfield.

I have been teaching almost 13 years now and have learned how invaluable a Christian education is. I am eager to bring my years of experience in the classroom to Cornerstone. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Education with a dual endorsement in Elementary grades K-6 and Special Education grades K-12 from Liberty University.

God has amazing things in store for Cornerstone, and I am thrilled to be a part of this inaugural year!

Cathy Ulsh, Kindergarten

Cathy and her husband Jared have 3 kids—Lincoln, Waylon and Juliette. They have loved living in Carrollton for the past fourteen years, actively attending Liberty Live at Smithfield and being a "baseball" family with Smithfield Rec Association.

Cathy has been a classroom teacher for 10 years-working for Hampton City Schools and most recently at a local, classical, Christian school. She holds a B.S. in Human Services Counseling and a M.S. ED in Early Childhood Education from Old Dominion University. Early Childhood Education is her jam and she loves bringing fun learning experiences into the classroom. Cathy is excited to see how the Lord will use Cornerstone to bring about His plans for the future generations.

"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." Ps. 145:4

Teresa Richards, K4

I am blessed to be joining Cornerstone Christian School this fall. My husband, Phillip, and I live in Newport News. He is the senior pastor at West Hampton Baptist Church, and we have been in ministry for almost three decades. 

My husband and I have a daughter who lives nearby with her husband and our granddaughter. We also have a grown son who lives in North Carolina. Being a grandmother to my toddler is the highlight of my days.

I have experience in teaching and homeschooling, and I am excited to be able to use my gifts to glorify God. Being at Cornerstone is an answer to prayer, and I look forward to getting to know each one of their families.

Charlee Eaves, Music Elective

Charlee formerly served as the Music Director at Smithfield Baptist Preschool as well the Adjunct Saxophone Instructor at Old Dominion University. An award-winning musician in school, she later performed in the highest level ensembles at college. While working as a music educator and band director in the Hampton Roads area, Charlee returned to ODU for her graduate degree, culminating in her master’s recital and induction into Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society, in 2013. In 2015, she was honored by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as a “Top Music Educator in Hampton Roads” for her contributions as the band director at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. She is a member of NAFME and of the North American Saxophone Alliance. Charlee and her husband Pierson Eaves are members of Hope Presbyterian Church and live in Smithfield, VA with their three young boys—two of whom will be attending Cornerstone this year.

Sara Burchard, STEM Elective

My husband Don and I have two wonderful teenagers! I decided to leave my career as an engineer to follow God's calling on my heart to homeschool and work with children. Currently, I am lead childcare for our Classical Conversations co-op, a preschool teacher at Smithfield Baptist Preschool, and I also direct T&T AWANA club. I have a true passion for working with children, teaching them about God, and watching them grow! I love seeing children learn and get excited about science and engineering and how it points to God’s wonderful creation.

Danielle Lackey, Substitute Teacher

I am thrilled to be joining the Cornerstone Christian School community for the upcoming school year! My husband and I have called Carrollton home for the past 12 years, where we’ve been blessed to raise our three amazing teenagers. We are an active family involved in their local schools, soccer clubs and teams, community events, and our home church, Waters Edge Church.

I have had the privilege of homeschooling our children and have seen the positive impact of being able to educate them according to their personal needs. I’ve prayed for an opportunity to use my passion for homeschooling to support and care for others in our community. The new beginning of Cornerstone Christian School is an answer to my prayers, and I'm thankful to become more involved in new ways within the Cornerstone community.