Meet our Teachers!
Smart Start is owned and operated by Hillary Conroy and additional teaching staff. Hillary is an experienced day care teacher with an extensive background in education. She holds a master's degree in teaching from SUNY Cortland and is certified by New York State in teaching pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students. Hillary is passionate about using an interactive curricula, and strives to build life-long skills in all learners.
Contact Me: hillary.smartstart@gmail.com
Contact Me: hillary.smartstart@gmail.com
"My name is Bridgette Duncan and I have been teaching special education for the past eight years. I graduated from SUNY Cortland with my degree in Inclusive Special Education in 2012. I have taught in a variety of settings ranging from Kindergarten to eighth grade. Prior to formal teaching I was a summer camp counselor for eight years throughout high school and college. I am a Trumansburg graduate and have remained local to this area. When I am not teaching I enjoy outdoor activities, hiking, and playing
with our two dogs Lucy and Charlie. I was first introduced to the Smart Start community over summer 2019 during the summer camp program. I love the community, staff, and children that make Smart Start such and amazing place!"
Bridgette is our Assistant Director as well as a co-teacher in our preschool classroom. Bridgette assists with a variety of needs in all of our classrooms.
Contact me - bridgette.smartstart@gmail.com
with our two dogs Lucy and Charlie. I was first introduced to the Smart Start community over summer 2019 during the summer camp program. I love the community, staff, and children that make Smart Start such and amazing place!"
Bridgette is our Assistant Director as well as a co-teacher in our preschool classroom. Bridgette assists with a variety of needs in all of our classrooms.
Contact me - bridgette.smartstart@gmail.com
"Hello, my name is Mackenzie Welch and I am one of the lead teachers here at Smart Start. I have worked at Smart Start for two years starting as a substitute and then went on to work in the baby room closing at night. About a year later, I started working in the preschool room as a Teacher's Assistant from June 2018 to November 2019. At the beginning of November 2019, I began my position as the Lead Teacher in our new Continuity of Care classroom. I graduated from South Seneca Central School and attended Tompkins Cortland Community College studying Early Childhood Development. I am currently in the process of obtaining my Infant/Toddler-Based Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. I enjoy working with children and love watching them learn and grow. When I’m not working at Smart Start you can most likely find me babysitting for a family in the community. I look forward to meeting you and your child!"
Mackenzie is our lead teacher in the Continuity of Care Classroom. The children in Mackenzie's class begin our program with her as infants and remain in her classroom until age three.
Contact me: Mackiewelch8@yahoo.com
Mackenzie is our lead teacher in the Continuity of Care Classroom. The children in Mackenzie's class begin our program with her as infants and remain in her classroom until age three.
Contact me: Mackiewelch8@yahoo.com
"My name is Rebecca (Becca) Blomquist I have been a part of the Smart Start team since we opened in September 2014. I have lived in Trumansburg for several years now, but before moving to Trumansburg, I lived in Florida. Because my husband and I both grew up in the Ithaca area we decided to move back to New York so our kids could enjoy things like playing in the fall leaves, making snowmen in winter, catching tad poles in spring, and swimming in Cayuga lake in the summer. I have been married to my husband 10 years and we have two boys, Anthony and Keanu. I love spending time with my boys and I look forward to getting to know you and your children!"
Becca is our lead teacher in our Toddler Room for children ages 18 months to 3 years. Becca received her Associates Degree in Applied Sciences from Sage Junior College of Albany and has worked with preschool and toddler-age children for nearly 13 years.
Contact Me: becca1233@hotmail.com
Becca is our lead teacher in our Toddler Room for children ages 18 months to 3 years. Becca received her Associates Degree in Applied Sciences from Sage Junior College of Albany and has worked with preschool and toddler-age children for nearly 13 years.
Contact Me: becca1233@hotmail.com
"Hi, my name is Amber Eldredge and I have been working in childcare for almost 6 years now. Prior to starting my position as Lead Waddler Teacher at Smart Start in May, 2018, I worked as a nanny for four years and as an Aide at Trumansburg Central Schools for two years. I love working with children of all ages and can't wait to work with yours! I have a beautiful daughter of my own and am loving every moment of it!
I am currently pursuing my Childhood Development Associate (CDA) in Infant and Toddler Education."
Amber is the lead teacher in one of our Early Care Classrooms for children who are between 6 weeks and 24 months.
I am currently pursuing my Childhood Development Associate (CDA) in Infant and Toddler Education."
Amber is the lead teacher in one of our Early Care Classrooms for children who are between 6 weeks and 24 months.
"Hello, my name is Kayla. I have been working at Smart Start in our Nursery Classroom for over two years now and I am currently working toward earning my Childhood Development Associate (CDA) in Infant and Toddler Education. I have worked with kids for as long as I can remember and have a three year old daughter named Morgan.
I love working at Smart Start and helping our babies grow and reach new milestones as they get bigger. I look forward to working with your children too!"
Kayla is the lead teacher in one of our Early Care Classrooms for children from 6 weeks to 24 months.
I love working at Smart Start and helping our babies grow and reach new milestones as they get bigger. I look forward to working with your children too!"
Kayla is the lead teacher in one of our Early Care Classrooms for children from 6 weeks to 24 months.
"Hello! My name is Katelin Greule I am 26 years old and was born and raised right here in the Finger Lakes. I earned my bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland where I studied Early Childhood Development and Teaching English as a Second Language. I have been teaching pre-school for two wonderful years.
I am an avid lover of nature and my hobbies include exploring the great outdoors, gardening and cooking. I am also the proud owner of a beautiful one-year-old cat named Watson. I am a true believer in positivity and communication, both are essential in everyday life as well as the classroom. I am so excited to be starting this new journey in such a beautiful location. I am looking forward to exploring, growing, teaching and learning with everyone at Smart Start."
Katelin is the lead teacher in our Preschool Classroom for children ages 3 to 5 years.
I am an avid lover of nature and my hobbies include exploring the great outdoors, gardening and cooking. I am also the proud owner of a beautiful one-year-old cat named Watson. I am a true believer in positivity and communication, both are essential in everyday life as well as the classroom. I am so excited to be starting this new journey in such a beautiful location. I am looking forward to exploring, growing, teaching and learning with everyone at Smart Start."
Katelin is the lead teacher in our Preschool Classroom for children ages 3 to 5 years.