Julie Kyriss

Center Director & 3-year-old Lead Teacher

email Mrs. Julie
(402) 913-2255
I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelors’ Degree in Elementary Education. I have added an Early Childhood Endorsement through Peru State.

My husband Mark and I live in Bellevue and have been married for 33 years. We have two children Matthew and Laura and a daughter in-law, Melissa, who all live in Bellevue.

My first teaching job was in Copperas Cove, Texas, a small town by Ft. Hood. I spent three wonderful years teaching 1st grade before moving to Germany where I ran a Co-op Preschool for the Department of Defense. After moving to Nebraska in June of 2000, I taught Preschool for two years and then Kindergarten for seven years at Pilgrim Lutheran in Bellevue, Nebraska. Prior to coming to St. Mark, I worked as a contractor on Offutt Air Force Base for Parents as Teachers Heroes at Home as an in-home visitor for children birth- to age-3-years-old. This is my tenth year at St. Mark Preschool and Childcare as the Center Director and Lead teacher for the 3-year-old class. I love being an early childhood educator and am honored to share the love of Jesus with children.

I enjoy reading, horseback riding, pottery, gardening and woodworking. My dad, siblings, and in-laws all live in Nebraska, so we are blessed to be able to spend time with our family.

Claire Chvala

Childcare Teacher

I am originally from Washington State.  I grew up there with my two siblings and graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Elementary Education.  My family moved to Nebraska in 2021 to be closer to our relatives.

In the past, I taught elementary school and piano lessons. When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family/friends, taking our dog on walks, crafting, and taking care of my plants. 

Fun fact, my last name is pronounced “koala” like the bear.

I enjoy reading, horseback riding, pottery, gardening and woodworking. My dad, siblings, and in-laws all live in Nebraska, so we are blessed to be able to spend time with our family.

Anna Foley

Lead 3 Year Old Teacher

Anna is a Concordia University Nebraska graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with Early Childhood, and ESL. After graduating in 2005, she worked overseas with LCMS World Mission and taught preschool and elementary students in Taiwan for five years. She then taught at Trinity Lutheran in Boone, IA for three years, during which time she married her husband, Kevin. They moved to Fort Wayne, IN where Kevin attended Concordia Theological Seminary to become a pastor. Kevin’s first pastoral call was to Placerville, CA where they lived for seven years. During that time, Anna enjoyed being home with their three children and homeschooling. In May 2022, they moved to Omaha when Kevin took a call to serve as pastor at River of Life Lutheran Church in the Benson area. Anna is thrilled to be back close to family (her mom is Mrs. Meyer, also on staff), and thankful to be a part of St. Mark’s preschool.

Anna loves music, singing and playing piano and guitar, sharing about God’s love, family time, walking her dog, and exploring God’s creation.

Pam Goebel

Lead 4 Year Old Teacher

I am originally from Southern California and came to Omaha to go to college. I have a BS in elementary education and taught middle school/junior high for three years. My husband is in education as well and we have 7 children (6 boys, 1 girl). I have been in early childhood for many years as my children have grown up. My kids are involved in swim and basketball. I love reading with my kids and on my own. I also crochet when I have time!

Christina Hurlburt

Childcare Teacher

I grew up in Blair, NE and moved to Bennington in 2006. I met my husband shortly after and we have been together for almost 17 years. We have four beautiful children, three girls and one boy and a dog named Hank. I am currently going to school to get my Child Development and Associate credential. In the next two years I will continue to get my associate degree in early childhood education. I have worked with children for nearly 14 years and have worked with all ages. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, teaching is one of my greatest passions in life. I enjoy crafting, board games, fishing, and hanging out with my family.

Sarah Jay

Child Care Teacher

Sarah Jay has been educating children in music from preschool through collegiate levels for the past 20 years.  Having graduated from the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music at Chapman University in Orange, Ca., Sarah is a seasoned professional cellist and professional educator.

Sarah and her husband, Pastor Eric Jay, enjoy God’s blessings of their three children, Lizzy, Jesse, and Hezekiah, and thank God for His calling them to be in Nebraska serving our Lord Jesus with the gifts and talents He has entrusted to them.

Nerissa Johnston

Child Care Teacher

I grew up in Bacolod City, Philippines. I come from a big family. I have three brothers and two sisters. I worked in childcare overseas for about 12 years before moving to Omaha, Nebraska. I am married to Duane Johnston and Blessed with a sweet and loving girl, Alyssa.

I have my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Negros College, Bacolod City, Philippines. Before joining St. Mark Preschool and Childcare, I worked in childcare for seven years in the United States. I love working with kids; they just make me giggle, smile, and laugh. I love to inspire them in any way I can and watch them change and grow.

In my free time, I enjoy reading books, watching TV, and making crafts with my daughter. I love to travel and go on road trips with my family, especially during the fall season.

Athziry Lopez

Childcare Teacher

I grew up in Spencer, Iowa. I am a mom to two fur babies (cats) Beans and Uno. As I do not have actual children of my own, I do very much enjoy working with the children of St. Mark! I have been working with children for almost 5 years now. I went to college for some childhood education in Ankeny, Iowa. Shortly after I moved to Omaha, and I found St. Marks Preschool. Ever since I have been thrilled to be working with children and families here.

I enjoy spending time with my cats, visiting my parents, playing games, hanging out with my friends and learning new things. I appreciate being able to work here at St. Mark and look forward to meeting new families and children as the years go on.

Sue Meyer

Lead Teacher – 4 Year Old Class

I have over 25 years’ experience working with preschoolers and their families – starting in Iowa and then in Wisconsin, and most recently in Indiana.

I am from Omaha – a Burke High School graduate. I met my husband, Glenn, while attending Concordia Teachers College, in Seward, NE. I transferred to Valparaiso University and after graduation was consecrated as a deaconess in the Lutheran church. Glenn and I have been married for 40 years. After 34 years as a regular pastor, Glenn became an intentional interim pastor for the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. We were overjoyed that this allowed us to move back to Nebraska in 2015. We have three children and six grandchildren. Anna and husband, Kevin live in Placerville, CA and have 3 children; Rachel and husband, Aaron live in Waconia, MN and have 3 children; and Timothy lives in Taiwan working as an English and Bible teacher and missionary. My mother (St. Mark member, Ardis Bergquist) lives in Omaha and Glenn’s parents live in the Norfolk, NE area.

Glenn and I recently became members of St. Mark and have loved being part of God’s family here.

Sheila Taylor

Teacher – Pre-K 5 Class

I grew up in Battle Creek, NE. I graduated from Concordia University, Seward with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I continued my education at UNO and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Shortly after graduation, I married Vincent Taylor and became an Air Force wife. We have lived in Texas, South Dakota, Florida, Louisiana, and returned to Nebraska in 2018. We have four children, Briel (11), Ryan (10), Xarion (7) and Aviana (5).

I had the privilege of being a stay at home wife and mother for the last 12 years. I spent my time volunteering in our churches and schools as a substitute teacher, classroom aide, Sunday school and VBS teacher, and served as a board member on parent/teacher and school board organizations. Most recently I have worked in the childcare and preschool at King of Kings Lutheran church, where my family and I attend worship.

I enjoy spending time with my family, playing games, reading, walking our dog Niko, and watching my children’s activities.

I have a passion for working with children, and I am honored to be a part of St Mark Preschool ministry. I look forward to getting to know your children and families!

Rev. Eric L. Jay

Senior Pastor

Pastor Jay serves as St. Mark’s Senior Pastor.

A Southern California native, Pastor Jay graduated with a Master’s in Theology and Culture as a student of St Louis Seminary via the Cross Cultural Ministry Pastoral Certification Program (CMC) located at Concordia University in Irvine, California. The CMC focuses uniquely upon equipping pastors to infiltrate strategic urban settings as church planters. Pastor Jay spent the the last 2 years of his seminary training and the first 3 years of ministry as pastor of The Gathering; a church plant of which Pastor Jay was founder. Simultaneously, Pastor Jay served briefly as the Interim Pastor at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Westminster, California. In 2012 he accepted the call to serve as sole pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in El Segundo, Ca, and served there for 5 years before accepting the call to St. Mark in August 2017.

Pastor Jay and his wife Sarah met at and graduated from the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music (Chapman University in Orange, Ca) with degrees in Music Performance. God has blessed them with two children, their daughter Elizabeth and son Jesse.