About Cortnie Smith, M.A.
Founder of Growing Connections Education
Hi, I’m Cortnie, an educator with a deep passion for helping children rediscover their confidence and love for learning. For over a decade, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and now an assistant principal. Through each of these roles, I’ve worked closely with students, families, and educators to build stronger foundations in literacy, math, and the learning habits that help children grow into capable, independent thinkers.
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I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Bakersfield. I later completed my Principal Licensure program through Colorado State University. I hold a current Colorado teaching license and principal license, both endorsed in the READ Act and English Language Development (ELD), and I continue to pursue ongoing professional learning to ensure my instructional methods reflect the most current, research-based practices.
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My approach is grounded in Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading, emphasizing explicit, systematic instruction in phonological awareness, decoding, and comprehension. This approach is also a proven, effective method for teaching children with dyslexia how to read. I also draw from McREL’s Six Phases of Learning to help students move from surface-level understanding to deep, transferable knowledge.
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In math, I’m influenced by Jo Boaler’s work on conceptual understanding and fact fluency as the foundation for more complex problem-solving. Across all subjects, I integrate John Hattie’s research on visible learning, prioritizing evidence-based strategies that have the greatest impact on student achievement.
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At the heart of my work is a simple philosophy: children learn best when they feel connected, capable, and seen. Growing Connections Education was created to help parents become empowered partners in their child’s learning journey. Through one-on-one tutoring, homeschool consulting, and parent coaching, I combine research-based instruction with a compassionate, personalized approach. My goal is not only to strengthen skills, but to nurture the joy, curiosity, and confidence that every child deserves to feel while learning.
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When I’m not working with students or developing resources for families, you’ll usually find me spending time with my family, tending to my plants, reading, or enjoying coffee with cream and sugar before the school day begins.
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Connection. Confidence. Growth. These three values guide everything I do, both in the classroom and through Growing Connections Education.
