Our dedicated staff consists of five lead teachers, six educational assistants, our music teacher, Danielle Cordova, our director, Lori Erven, and our office administrator, Jane Clinger.

​

The longevity of the staff speaks for itself. Staff members have been at St. Luke for an average of 8 years – some for over 20 years!  This longevity results in a stable and consistent environment for learning and facilitates an excellent team approach to child development.

​

Our educators have either a degree in early childhood or a related field, a Child Development Associate Degree, or are in the process of earning a degree.  The teaching teams plan together and share the responsibility of providing a high quality program. Staff members participate in ongoing professional development.

​

The school’s governing body, the Preschool Committee, is made up of volunteers from the church congregation, parent representatives, staff representatives, the director, and a member of the pastoral staff.  The committee is responsible for the school’s governing by-laws and operating policies.  Through the years, committee members have included parents and grandparents, as well as educators, accountants, engineers, and more!

​

​​​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​​

Lori Erven – Director

I am honored and humbled to serve as the director of St. Luke Preschool, where each day is filled with giggles, songs, hugs, discovery, and wonder. I’ve been in the field of early childhood education for 40 years and earned my BA and my MA degrees from the University of New Mexico. I began my career teaching with Albuquerque Public Schools. I then took several wonderful years to be a stay-at- home mom with my daughters. I first came to St. Luke as a parent, when my youngest daughter began preschool over 20 years ago! When I’m not at the preschool, I enjoy reading, biking, and hiking with my husband, and spending time with my daughters and my grandson. I am grateful to God for the blessings given each new day. “Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8

​

Jane Clinger - Office Administrator

I feel blessed beyond measure to work in this amazing school and am grateful to God for the opportunity to work in an environment with children.  I have been the Office Administrator at the preschool for 12 of the last 14 years. I have a degree in marketing from Texas A&M University and also found my amazing hubby while there. The Air Force brought us to ABQ in 2000, and we have lived here since then. I love my job and hope to have a grandchild at St. Luke in the near future! In the meantime, I enjoy houses, hiking, traveling, and spending time with my family.  I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, and my faith is important in my life. My favorite verse for this year is from Isaiah 26:4 - "Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock." 

​

Laura Fleher - Lead Teacher for the Younger Multi-Age Swallowtails class (YMA-S)

Born and raised in New Jersey, I have been enchanted by New Mexico for the past 24 years. I enjoy hiking in the Sandias, studying foreign languages, doing yoga, creating art, and eating homemade bagels made by Peter, my beloved of 34 years. I have over 20 years in the field of early childhood education with a B.A. in speech and hearing science and M.A. in teaching English as a second language. It’s a blessing and an honor to be teaching here at St. Luke Preschool for a second year. My goals for each child are to inspire a love of learning, to build a positive sense of self, and to develop the social skills needed to feel at home in the classroom. In partnership with the family, my aim is to create an exceptionally fun and soul flourishing school experience for your child.​​

​

Kelly Bailey - Lead Teacher for the Intermediate Multi-Age class (IMA)

Greetings!  I am excited to be a part of your child’s educational experience! I was born in Washington DC but spent most of my formative years here in New Mexico enjoying the desert life. My husband and I have two sons, and both of our boys attended St. Luke Preschool. Because of the exceptional time my children and family had at St. Luke, I was inspired to return to school later on in life to pursue a career in early childhood education. This will be my fourth-year teaching in the Intermediate Multiage Class (IMA) here at St. Luke. Prior to that, I spent many years as a lead teacher for the New Mexico Pre-K Program, as well as a substitute teacher with the Albuquerque Public School system. It is terrific to be working here at St. Luke, and with all the amazing families and staff that support it. We are going to have a great year as we learn and grow together!

 

Daisy Aniles - Educational Assistant for the Intermediate Multi-Age class (IMA)

I am excited to be working at St. Luke, and this will be my third year here at St. Luke.  I have over 6 years of experience in the early childhood field.  I am currently working on completing my degree in Early Childhood Education.  I am looking forward to having a fantastic year with all of you. 

Claudia Medina - Lead Teacher for the Older Multi-Age class (OMA)

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be your child's teacher this year, and I look forward to a fantastic school year together! I am from Mexico and am fluent in both English and Spanish. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education and an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of St. Luke Preschool for the past nine years.  My husband, Nicolas, and our three children—Nicolas, Ana Victoria, and Andrew—share a special bond with St. Luke. This school holds a special place in our hearts as it was my children's first school experience! In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, traveling, and spending quality time with my family!

​

Candice Ortega - Educational Assistant for the Older Multi-Age class (OMA) and Floater

I have worked as an early childhood educator for 25 years and have a CDA credential (The Child Development Associate). In October of 2024 I will be blessed to have worked at St. Luke Preschool for 20 years. In that time, I have served the children and their families of St. Luke in different roles as lead teacher, educational assistant, and extended care teacher. This small-town girl from Grants, NM is so excited to work alongside your child to create a fun and loving learning environment. In my spare time I love baking, spending time outside, watching 80's movies, and visiting with family and friends which includes my husband of 19 years.

Kathy Montgomery – Lead Teacher for the KinderPrep class (KP)

I have an associate degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and a certificate in Child Development. I love mentoring Early Childhood Teachers, reading, family trips, outdoor activities, going to the movies, and sharing WOW moments with children. I have worked in Early Childhood for 30 years, 17 of which have been at St. Luke.  I am ready and excited to spend an exciting year learning with your child.  

​

Aaliyah Logan – Educational Assistant for the KinderPrep class (KP) and PM Extended Care

This is my first year at St. Luke Preschool which I am humbled to work alongside the staff and families. I grew up here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am currently in the process of earning my Early Childhood Education Certificate. My hobbies include enjoying the great outdoors like hiking in the mountains or relaxing at parks with my partner and our cherished dog, Nova. Mornings are my favorite time for sipping coffee, listening to music, or diving into a good book. I’m excited for this new chapter and look forward to growing alongside the children and the community at St. Luke's!

​

JoEllen Bennington - Lead Teacher for the Younger Multi-Age Monarchs class (YMA-M)

I have lived here, in Albuquerque, most of my life, and as a gramma, I have been around for some time. My grandbabies are alumni of St Luke’s Preschool and over the years I have attended school functions, met the teachers and students, and enjoyed a positive, joyful environment. And now I get to teach here! This is going to be a wonderful year. I am confident that your children are going to play, grow, learn, and make new friends. At two and three years old, the world is an open canvas for your little ones to explore, learn, and play in a way that fuels their imagination. As their designated Facilitator of Fun i.e., Teacher, I am on a mission to encourage learning through movement and play, creating an environment where every day is an adventure. My background is in education. I instructed adults for 10 years and I have taught children for the last 14 years. My education consists of a Bachelor’s in Sociology/Social Welfare and a master’s in psychology. Fun Fact: graduated from Del Norte High School in 1981. My mission statement is taken from Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus. I believe children should be allowed to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy to learn. For this to happen children need a safe environment filled with patience, love and respect. I offer this in abundance. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children.

​

Sharon Akins - Educational Assistant for the Younger Multi-age Monarch Class (YMA-M)

and PM extended care.

My name is Sharon Akins. I’m a very proud mother of three beautiful children who all live in the Midwest.  I’ve been working with children for 23+ years, and I’ve worked in almost every area of a preschool, daycare center, and other types of facilities, working with children in early childhood education.  I was fortunate enough to be raised in the Midwest and recently moved to Albuquerque. I love the sun, I love the mountains, and most of all I love to work with children. I look forward to working with you and your family.  I love the social emotional development of children by helping them reach all the new milestones that they want to reach and all the milestones that you want your children to reach. I’m not very young, but I am half of a century proud to say that half of that time I’ve worked with children. I’m so fortunate to be a part of the St. Luke family, and I look forward to many more days and years of service with you and your family, and to create and build more creative, bright, and fun-loving relationships.

​​​

Danielle Cordova - Music Teacher

​I am an Albuquerque native and have recently returned to my hometown to join St. Luke as the Coordinator of Music Ministries. My grandparents gifted me piano lessons when I was 7 and voice lessons at 11, and with continued support from my family and teachers, I completed a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. While working on my degree, I gained experience as a choral scholar at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, as a pianist and choir director at Holy Family American National Catholic Church, and as pianist and music director at Trinity Lutheran Church. I’ve had the opportunity to perform roles both onstage and backstage in Doña Ana Lyric Opera’s productions of Orphee aux enfers, Dido and Aeneas, Die Fledermaus, Trial by Jury, Serse, The Cask of Amontillado, The Medium, and the world premiere of The Verloren Opera. I have also worked as a collaborative pianist for NMSU music students and theater productions. Beyond my musical endeavors, I’ve directed several productions for A Children’s Theater of the Mesilla Valley, including Sleepy Hollow, The Adventures of Dr. Doolittle, The Phantom Tollbooth, and Miracle on 34th Street. My varied experience and strong foundation in church music are helping St. Luke’s music program continue to thrive.

​

​