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, Director - Vicki serves 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 (Mimi) Eckenrode, Staff- Kim is from Gallitzin, PA where she currently lives. She has 4 children, 5 grandchildren and one fur baby, Jax. She is more commonly known as “Mimi” around Start Smart Learning Center.
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, Lead Teacher - 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.
Makayla Holland, Staff- Makayla is from Patton, PA, and graduated from Cambria Heights in 2021. She has over five years of experience working with children in a variety of roles, including volunteer work and serving as a camp counselor. Makayla has been part of the Start Smart family for several years and truly enjoys watching children grow, develop their own personalities, and explore the world around them.
Recently, Makayla welcomed a new baby at home and is absolutely elated to watch him grow and begin developing his own little personality. In her free time, she loves crafting and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Andrea “Andi” Adams, Business Operations Manager - Andi is a mother of 2 beautiful children and lives in Dysart with her family.
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.
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 works at our Gallitzin site as an aide, he loves watching and helping all of the children including 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.
Jennifer, Staff - Jennifer graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in 2021 where she currently resides with her family. Jennifer then went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in History and Education from Shippensburg University in 2025.
Beyond her academic pursuits, she’s happiest outdoors and spending time with her dog.
Kayla Wasil, Lead Teacher - 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.
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.
Mary Lynch, Staff- Mary is a staple at Start Smart Learning Center. She has been here since the “beginning.” She lives in Gallitzin with her Husband, Gary and enjoys watching her grandchildren grow and learn.
Although she has tried to retire on numerous occasions, she just missed it too much, she enjoys spending time at work with her 50+ “grandchildren” whenever she can.
Mary has been in childcare her entire life and has run her own daycare as well as been a part of the Start Smart Family for multiple owners and generations.
Lauren Riley, Staff- Lauren is from Gallitzin, Pennsylvania. She is currently working toward her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education at Mount Aloysius College and is gaining valuable hands-on experience while working in the classroom.
Lauren has several years of experience working with children, including babysitting throughout her teenage years, working at a children’s camp, and serving as a Teacher Aide at a Childcare Center in Indiana.
Lauren is passionate about helping young children grow, learn, and expand their minds. She hopes to become a kindergarten teacher in the future and values every opportunity to support children as they learn and develop each day.
Alexis Smith, Staff- Alexis is originally from Upstate New York and currently lives in Cresson, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. She has enjoyed working with children for most of her life, beginning her journey as a babysitter at the age of 14.
Alexis brings years of hands-on experience caring for children and enjoys building meaningful connections with the families she serves. She is a proud boy mom x2, and her very first job was at Six Flags, where she worked for 10 years before relocating to Pennsylvania.
Alexis finds working with children incredibly rewarding and is passionate about supporting their growth, confidence, and curiosity as they learn and explore the world around them.
Paulina Miller, Staff- Paulina is from Ashville, Pennsylvania and brings over 11 years of teaching experience to our team. She is certified in Elementary Education (PreK–4) and Special Education (PreK–8) and is currently teaching 6th grade Learning Support at Penn Cambria.
Paulina is a proud mom of three and a puppy named Delilah. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, going on adventures, and spending time at the beach with her family.
Paulina is passionate about supporting students of all abilities and helping children build confidence, independence, and a love for learning in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Amanda Price, Lead Teacher- Amanda is from Patton, Pennsylvania where she lives with her family. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Penn State Altoona in December 2024, where she completed her student teaching experience in a first-grade classroom. Amanda has also gained valuable experience as a substitute teacher and has worked in a daycare setting since 2022.
Amanda is passionate about working with children and strives to create a safe, nurturing environment that supports each child’s growth and love of learning. Outside of the classroom, Amanda enjoys spending time at camp, relaxing at the beach, and making memories with her daughter.