AT STart Smart Learning Center, WE EMPHASIZE LEARNING THROUGH INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY AND CREATIVE PLAY.

OUR EXPERIENCED, CARING staff INSTILL A LOVE OF LEARNING IN OUR STUDENTS—RIGHT FROM THE START. 

Elizabeth Hogue, Owner - I graduated from Mount Aloysius College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and English. Since then, I have worked in a field with children and adults with Developmental Disabilities.

As a mother of four children, as well as an educator, I am acutely aware of parents needs and wants, including a caring, loving, nurturing environment for their children, especially when it comes to a daycare facility. Children have been a part of my entire life. I have had the opportunity to work professionally and through volunteer missions with different ethnicities of children, children with multiple types of disabilities and professionals in the field of education and outreach.

Vicki Roudybush, Staff - Vicki served as the Director at our Gallitzin location. She is a 2008 Graduate of Penn Cambria High School and just recently obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children for more than 10+ years in a school setting as well as daycare facilities. Four of those years were spent working as a Special Education aide. Vicki believes that the children she has supported have made just as much of an impact in her life, as she has in theirs.

Working with children has been a passion since a young age. She loves getting to see them meet new accomplishments and to help them learn and grow everyday. Throughout Vicki’s life she has dedicated a lot of time to working with children of all ages and enjoys every moment and the memories made. 

Kim Eckenrode, Staff- Kim is from Gallitzin, PA where she currently lives. She has 4 children, 5 grandchildren and one fur baby, Jax.

Kim enjoys reading, crafting and spending time with family. Kim has experience as a mom and grandmother for many years and enjoys watching children grow and learn. She brings a fantastic motherly touch to the Start Smart Learning Center Family!

Megan Booher, Staff - Megan is a 2012 graduate of Altoona Area High School and is currently working towards her bachelors degree in elementary/special education. She currently lives in Patton, PA with her three beautiful children and her husband, Kaleb. She enjoys spending time with her family and reading in her spare time.

Megan works as our toddler room lead in our Gallitzin location.

Amiya Wilt, Staff - Amiya is a 2022 graduate of Penn Cambria High School. She is from the Ashville area, loves being outdoors and spending time with her 2 little sisters and puppy. Amiya is currently a sophomore at Lock Haven University for health sciences.

Makayla Holland, Staff - Makayla is from Patton, PA and graduated from Cambria Heights in 2021. She has worked with kids for about 5 years as a counselor in training at Camp Allegheny and then proceeded to work there as a counselor and horse staff for 3 years. Since then, she has done some private babysitting up until joining us at Start Smart. Makayla is eager to jump right in and excited to see all of the kids learn and grow each day!

Andrea “Andi” Adams, Business Operations Manager - Andi serves as our Business Operations Manager as well as works on the floor in various rooms as needed. Andi graduated from Mount Aloysius College in 2015 earning her bachelor’s degree. Andi helps with everything from organization management to daily operations. Andi is a mother of 2 beautiful children and lives in Dysart with her family.

Ronni Clawson, Staff - Ronni is from Cresson, PA where he also currently lives. He has two siblings and a few pets he enjoys spending time with. Ronni likes watching football and spending time with his family. Ronni loves watching and helping his little sister (also a Start Smart kiddo!) learn and grow!

Lauren Guzic, Staff - Lauren lives in Lilly with her family. She graduated from Penn Cambria in 2018, and from Admiral Peary Area Technical School in 2018 for Early Childhood Education. Lauren enjoys doing arts and crafts and taking care of her three dogs.

Jordan, Staff - Jordan is from Gallitzin, PA and has been living there for the past 8 years. She previously lived in Hollidaysburg where she also graduated from in 2006. Jordan has years of experience in private babysitting and with her nieces and a God-daughter who are very special to her! Jordan also has years of experience working in the Intellectual Disabilities field and with the elderly doing personal care. She has always wanted to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education and is excited to finally be able to take steps towards that while she is working at Start Smart. Jordan loves working with our kiddos and most enjoys seeing their smiling faces each day.

Kassandra Knopp, Staff - Kassie is a 2012 graduate of Penn Cambria High School and resides in Cresson, PA with her beautiful son and fiance. Being a stay at home mom for 3 years has really helped her decide that childcare is her greatest passion. She has privately babysat since she was 13 years old and has also worked in facilities for children/adults with physical and mental disabilities for over 5+ years. Helping children learn and grow is truly one of the most rewarding jobs you could have and it truly brings her the most joy!

Cami, Staff - Cami is from Gallitzin, PA and graduated from Bishop Carroll in 2023. She is currently attending Waynesburg University for a major in Forensic Science and a minor in Biology and Chemistry.

Cami was one of the first students ever enrolled in Start Smart and is beyond excited to come back as a staff member.

Anna Lill, Staff - Anna is an alumni of Penn Cambria High School, Class of 2023. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, hanging out with her family and swimming with her friends. She is currently a sophomore at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for Special Education K-12 and English.

Jenna LaGesse, Staff - Jenna is a 2023 graduate of Penn Cambria High School and is from the Coupon area. She enjoys painting and her two dogs, Rigby and Raven. She is currently a rising sophomore at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for Art Education (K-12).

McKennah Proudfit, Staff - McKennah is a 2021 Penn Cambria High School graduate. She is currently enrolled in Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Bloomsburg’s campus and studying early childhood education. McKennah is from Lilly, Pennsylvania. She comes from a big family with many small children. She has 2 nephews and a niece all under the age of 3. In her spare time, McKennah enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as doing advocacy work through clubs on campus!

Jennifer, Staff - Jennifer graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in 2021. She is currently pursuing her BSED degree in history at Shippensburg University. Beyond her academic pursuits, she’s happiest outdoors and spending time with her dog.

Kayla Wasil, Staff - Kayla is a mom of two boys and has been working in the childcare field for 8 years. Kayla has an associates degree in Elementary Education and is currently working on her bachelors degree. Kayla brings a lot of calm to the chaos of daycare. Some of her hobbies include shopping on Amazon, being outside with her kids, Jace and Cruz, and her three dogs, Rockefeller, Benjamin and Theodore. She also enjoys going to her kids many sporting events and sometimes just enjoying a good movie at home.

Kayla is the lead of the 2 year old room at the Start Smart Sankertown location.

Kiara Shelper, Staff - Kiara is from Dysart, PA and graduated from Penn Cambria in 2023. She will be a sophomore at Penn State Altoona in the nursing program! Kiara enjoys spending time with friends, making jewelry and watching movies.

Kamryn Wheeler, Staff - Kamryn has been working at Start Smart Learning Center since October 2023. She is a 2023 graduate of Penn Cambria High School. Kamryn is continuing her education and studying Early Childhood at Penn Highlands. She is also a pre-school dance instructor at Charlene’s School of Dance.

Haylee Watt, Staff - Haylee is a 2022 graduate of Penn Cambria High School. She is from the Ashville area and loves spending time with her nieces and nephew and her 2 puppies! Haylee is currently a junior at Mount Aloysius College and is pursuing an education in Ultrasonography.

Jess, Staff - Jess is a 2016 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she earned a bachelors degree in Middle Level Education with a specialization in English and Language Arts. She also obtained a certification in Early Childhood and Special Education during her last teaching position, which was 3rd grade.  Jess has greatly enjoyed working with children of all ages and abilities, in various capacities, from babies to high schoolers, for her entire life. She finds that high schoolers are strikingly similar to toddlers, and every child has left an indelible mark on her heart.

For the past few years, Jess has been a stay at home mother, homeschooling and raising her three boys. If she had spare time, she would enjoy reading and caring for a variety of aquatic creatures. As it is, her time is spent building forts, searching for salamanders, and engaging in extremely messy sensory activities.

Joining the Start Smart Family as a Preschool lead, and being able to bring her babies along too, has been a huge blessing! They are all looking forward to getting to know better the wonderful staff and families here.