Meet Our Team
Julie Polanco, MEd, BCBA
Founder & Clinical Director
Julie founded Smart Start in 2017 after learning about the immense need for quality ABA services in Korea. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Education in special education with emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the Pennsylvania State University. Her primary interests are disseminating information about ABA in Korea, working with parents and caregivers, and disseminating information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Career
Current) Smart Start, Founder & Clinical Director
Previous) The Diane Lindner-Goldberg Child Care Institute, Hempstead, NY, Teacher's Assistant
Trainings & Certifications
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Introductory Workshop, University of California Davis
PEAK Level 1 Certification Training, Emergent Learning Academy
Education
Pennsylvania State University, Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, M.Ed.
Pennsylvania State University, Psychology, B.A.
Career
Current) Smart Start, Case Manager
Previous) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Previous) ABA Bears, Behavior Therapist
Education
Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) Coursework, In Progress
SungShin Women's University, Music Therapy, On Leave
BaekSeok Art University, Applied Music
Hyeyoon Jang
Case Manager
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Previous) Seoul JeongMoon School, Teacher
Previous) SeongNam HyeEun School, Teacher
Previous) Anyang HyeSool School, Teacher
Trainings & Certifications
Special Education Middle School Teacher, Level 2
Education
Myongji University Graduate School of Integrative Therapy, Speech Therapy, Masters in Progress
BaekSeok University, Special Education, Bachelor
Boram Song
Behavior Therapist
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Education
Yonsei University, Board Certified Behavior Analyst Coursework, In Progress
Inha University, Multicultural Education, PhD
National University of Uzbekistan, Linguistics, Master
Fergana State University, Philology, Bachelor
Nigorakhon Yakubova
Behavior Therapist
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Previous) Dwight Foreign School Seoul, Aide
Previous) South Gyeongi Province Child Care Center, Guidance Counselor
Trainings & Certifications
Social Worker, Level 2
Day Care Teacher, Level 2
Child Art Therapist, Level 2
Education
Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst Coursework, In Progress
HanYang Cyber University, Social Work, Bachelor
Jiwoo Kim
Behavior Therapist
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Trainings & Certifications
MEGT Melbourne City Campus, (Certificate III) Early Childhood Education
Education
Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst Coursework, In Progress
Korea National Open University, Tourism, Bachelors
Juyeon Seo
Behavior Therapist
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Previous) Counseling for Caregivers of those with Disabilities
Previous) Assistant for the Disabled
Education
GyungIn Women's University, Social Work, Bachelors
Minji Kim
Behavior Therapist
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Previous) Korean Community Service Center, Victim Services Coordinator
Previous) Resources, Opportunities, Choices & Connections, Group Therapy Intern
Previous) CAP Services (Head Start), Education Intern
Previous) Gesell Institute, Assistant Teacher
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Education
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Psychology, Bachelor of Science
Jimin Jeong
Behavior Therapist
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Previous) Salem Elementary School, Special Education Teacher, UT USA
Previous) Centennial Middle School, Student Teacher, UT USA
Previous) MTC, Volunteer Trainer, UT USA
Previous) MTC, Korean Teacher, UT USA
Trainings & Certifications
Utah State Board of Education, Special Education License (K-12)
Star Program Training
PELI Assessment Training
Education
Brigham Young University, Special Education Severe, Bachelor of Science
Euijin Oh
Behavior Therapist
Euisun Oh
Behavior Therapist
Career
Current) Smart Start, Behavior Therapist
Previous) Provo MTC, Korean Teacher/ Language Evaluator
Previous) Provo Peaks Elementary School, Intern, Utah USA
Previous) Timpanogos Elementary School, Teacher Assistant, Utah USA
Trainings & Certifications
Special Educator License (K-12), Utah USA
IEP Zen Certification
Totem PD ASPEN, Bullyology, Parapro Certification Training
Education
Brigham Young University, Special Education, Bachelor of Science
Behavior Therapists
Our behavioral therapists and support staff is Smart Start’s greatest asset. These highly trained, devoted professionals love what they do and are committed to providing the highest quality therapeutic services and early childhood education. Our behavioral therapists work closely with our supervisors to provide the children ongoing customized support. Smart Start fully supports the development of all of our staff and encourage ongoing education in the most recent methods of treating developmental delays. These talented professionals are the back-bone to our success and have a passion to help young children and their families.