Ross Educators
Danielle Schmidt
Director
Childcare Experience: Nannied for almost 10 years and have worked in daycare centers for 19 years.
Reason For Working With Children: I love working with children to see their growth and development and to see their excitement when they do something for the first time.
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I am married with two girls who keep me busy and on my toes. I love to craft, read, and hang out with my family!
Kathy Schindler
Lead Teacher in Infant Program
Childcare Experience: I have been working in childcare for a long time (almost 40 years). I have a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State.
Reason For Working With Children: I love to help children develop and learn. It’s amazing to see how much they grow over a few years. I love to hear the babies talk and giggle!
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I am married to Brian and have two children, Brendan (20) and Kaylee (17). I enjoy anything chocolate. I also enjoy watching game shows and watching my children play sports.
Patti Harrison
Assistant in Infant Program
Childcare Experience: 9 years at Mt. Alvernia Childcare in Millvale and 8 years at Early Years.
Reason For Working With Children: Started at Mt. Alvernia part time because I loved babies and “practicing” to be a grandma some day – and my wish of becoming a grandmother came true!
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I am married, my favorite food is a good hearty salad or a bacon cheeseburger. My favorite shows are The Voice, Masked Singer, Hallmark movies, and reruns of Murder She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder. My favorite movies are Sound of Music and Princess Diaries. My hobbies include reading, jigsaw puzzles and being with my granddaughters.
Jenn Heyl
Assistant Director/Lead Teacher in Toddler Program
Childcare Experience: I worked at the Eagle’s nest in Giant Eagle for 13 years, and have been at Early Years for 8 years! Previously I volunteered with Riding for the Handicapped of Western PA as well.
Reason For Working With Children: I have always been a kid at heart. Working with kids allows me to be silly and have fun everyday!
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I’ve been engaged to Carl for over 10 years, and we have one son, EJ, together! We have a cat (Pepper), a dog (Potter), and a frog (Mr. Bighead). We also have a few fish and snails. In my spare time, I love to be outside in my garden or in my hammock. I love to go to yard sales, thrift stores, and antique shops. I also enjoy geocaching and collecting cool rocks!
Joann Doerfler
Lead Teacher in Teddy Bear Program
Childcare Experience: I spent many years volunteering with Girl Scouts including leader during day camp, also many years volunteering with my church Sunday School. I also took care of my niece and nephew after school for many years as well.
Reason For Working With Children: It is a joy to help and watch the children grow into the people they are destined to be! To help them over the rough patches and to help celebrate their accomplishments.
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I am married to my husband Ed, we have two daughters aged 19 and 26 years old and we have a 4 year old dog named Buttons!
Ellen Revay
Assistant Teacher in All Programs
Childcare Experience: 18 years
Reason For Working With Children: I enjoy being around children and helping them learn, grow and develop to the best of their ability.
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I am married. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite tv show is House of Dragons. My favorite movie is Shutter Island. Some of my hobbies are playing with my son Bennett. I also really enjoy shopping and getting my hair and nails done. I have a 14 year old dog named Sabrina.
Tom Arndt
Lead Teacher in Starbright Program
Childcare Experience: 10 years working with children, Associates degree in Social Work.
Reason For Working With Children: I felt childcare was my calling.
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I have one cat, Johnny White Shoes. I enjoy nature photography and DND.
Kara Kandzer
Assistant Teacher in All Programs
Childcare Experience: I am the much older sister of five kids so I began babysitting at a young age. I started working at a childcare center in my teens and later spent 9 years working as a teaching assistant at a Montessori school.
Reason For Working With Children: Watching a child develop into their own unique person and being such a big part of that growth is what keeps me working in childcare.
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I’m engaged, I have a 23 year old son and a dog named Belle. I like going to concerts and spending time outdoors. I’m a big fan of stand up comedy and documentaries. I love photography and take my camera everywhere. I also adore animals and hope to have a tiny farm one day.
Ronda Stevens
Assistant Teacher in Infant, Toddler, & Teddy Bear Programs
Childcare Experience: I watched my nieces.
Reason For Working With Children: I have always wanted to work with children since I was a teenager. I became an aunt in 2019 and a mom in 2021. I overall just love caring for children!
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I am not married, but I’ve been in a relationship for 8 years. I love pizza and salads. My favorite tv show is the Vampire Diaries. I love listening to music and being with my daughter. I have a dog named Rosie.
Jen Duffy
Assistant Teacher in All Programs
Childcare Experience: I have 20 years of experience working with children of all ages.
Reason For Working With Children: They make me laugh and I love to listen to their stories and the great imagination they have. I love getting lots of hugs from them!
Personal Info (Favorites, Hobbies, Pets, etc.): I am single, my favorite food is pizza, my favorite shows are Seinfeld, Friends, Crime and Detective shows. My favorite movies are A Christmas Story and Napoleon Dynamite. My hobbies include shopping, watching tv and reading. I have a cat named Tim.