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 bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and K–12 Art Education. I later earned an Early Childhood Endorsement through Peru State College.

My husband Mark and I live in Bellevue and have been married for 40 years. We have two married children and two grandsons.

My teaching career began in Copperas Cove, Texas, where I taught first grade for three years. I then moved to Germany and directed a Department of Defense Co-op Preschool before relocating to Nebraska in 2000. After teaching preschool and kindergarten in Bellevue, I served as an in-home visitor for Parents as Teachers Heroes at Home on Offutt Air Force Base. I am now in my 14th 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 grateful for the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with young children every day

Sarah Jay

Lead Teacher – 3-year-old Class

Sarah Jay has been involved in education 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.  For the last 8 years, Sarah has enjoyed working at St. Mark in a wide variety of capacities within early childhood education, and is thrilled to now be the lead 3-year-old teacher!

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

Lead Teacher 4-year-old Class

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.

Sheila Taylor

Lead 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, Ryan, Xarion and Aviana.

I had the privilege of being a stay at home wife and mother for many 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. Prior to coming to St. Mark, I 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!

Sarah Wheeler

Paraprofessional & Childcare Provider

I grew up in Auburn, NE. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. I am married to my husband Ben and we are blessed with two children.

Prior to St. Mark, I taught preschool at Faith Lutheran Touching Hearts Preschool in Lincoln for 3 years after graduation. We then relocated to Colorado Springs where I taught Early Childhood Special Education for 7 years. We recently moved to Bennington and I was able to stay home with my children and tutor online for two years. I am excited to be back in the classroom working with students again this year!

Claire Whitley

Lead Teacher – 4-year-old Class

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.

Kathy Widdershoven

Paraprofessional & Childcare Provider

I worked for Morning Star Preschool & Child Care Center for 26 years before joining the staff at St. Mark. Over the years, I worked in all of the rooms, ranging from babies up to Pre-Kindergarten. I also taught a S.T.E.M. class and enjoyed seeing the children experiment, create, and explore.  I am married, have 3 grown children who are all married, and 7 grandchildren between the ages of 2 weeks old and 7 years old.

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 on 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 three children: their daughter Elizabeth and sons Jesse and Hezekiah.