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.

Mary Lynch, Staff - Mary lives in Gallitzin with her husband, Gary. Mary is a licensed cosmetologist and CNA but has been working in child care for over 20 years.

Mary has two children who have blessed her with 4 grandchildren.  Children have been apart of Mary’s whole life, whether from running her own childcare out of her home or working at Start Smart Learning Center for 8 years. Mary works with the infant and toddlers at Start Smart Learning Center.

Vicki Roudybush, Staff - Vicki is a 2008 Graduate of Penn Cambria High School. 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!

Isabella Pettenatti, Staff- Bella is from Ashville, PA and a 2020 graduate of Penn Cambria High School.

Bella has 3 siblings and a nephew that she loves spending time with. She also has a fur baby, Marco who is her pride and joy! Bella has been working with children in different capacities since she was 15 and is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education from Penn State.

Kaylie Raneri, Staff - Kaylie is a 2021 Penn Cambria graduate from Gallitzin, PA. She has 2 siblings and 2 nephews who she enjoys spending time with. Kaylie loves to spend time with her friends and helping others.

Kaylie is a sophomore nursing student at Mount Aloysius College.

Destiny Vargo, Staff - Destiny is a 2021 Penn Cambria graduate. She loves spending time with family and her dogs.

Destiny is going to school to be a Veterinary Assistant. Destiny works in the infant room.

Megan Booher, Staff - Megan is a 2012 graduate of Altoona Area High School. 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 in the mornings with the toddlers and infants.

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!

Mackenzie McMullen, Staff - Mackenzie is from Ashville, PA and is a 2022 graduate of Penn Cambria High School. She enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends, family and her dog, Oreo. Mackenzie is currently enrolled at Mount Aloysius for Medical Imaging - Radiography.

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 their 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!