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Garrett Smiley
Co-Founder and CEO of Sora Schools
Garrett Smiley is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sora Schools, an innovative online middle and high school based in Manhattan, New York.1 He has been in this role since September 2019, focusing on providing a transformative education through an interdisciplinary, student-led, and mastery-based approach.1
Educational Background
Smiley attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he demonstrated academic excellence by making the Dean's List multiple times, including Fall 2016, Spring 2017, and Spring 2018.1
Professional Experience
Prior to founding Sora Schools, Garrett Smiley held several notable positions:
- Venture Partner at Contrary Capital from November 2017 to May 20191
- Board Member for Drops of Love, a non-profit organization, from May 2012 to May 20191
- Co-Founder of FLiP, an initiative focused on teaching life and financial literacy skills to foster children, from December 2016 to 20191
He also gained experience through shorter-term roles, including:
- TEC Fellow at True Ventures (June-August 2018)
- Software Engineer at Madison Reed (June-August 2018)
- Director of CORE at Startup Exchange (2017-2018)1
Entrepreneurial Focus
Smiley's career trajectory shows a strong interest in education, technology, and entrepreneurship. His work with Sora Schools demonstrates his commitment to revolutionizing education through online platforms.1 Additionally, his involvement with various startups and venture capital firms indicates a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and innovation in education.1
Garrett Smiley's LinkedIn profile reflects his passion for educational innovation and his ongoing efforts to transform the learning experience for middle and high school students through technology-driven solutions.12
Highlights
I just ran my first marathon 🏃
Two years ago, following a health issue, I found myself very unfit and in need of a change. I turned to distance running, not just for the health benefits, but to train resilience.
I know hard things take time. As they say, “There are no silver bullets for this, only lead bullets.”
I wanted to improve my relationship with “resistance”—to fully enjoy and flow with struggle. Using Sora language, I was trying to strengthen my “mindsets,” which are far more important than anything in a textbook.
I could not think of a more potent curriculum than waking up early and running 1k+ miles. It was a great experience, and I look forward to the next one!
Adolescents are fundamentally different from children. Their motivation shifts dramatically, often turning their relationship with school upside down.
For those familiar with the underlying neuroscience, this is no surprise.
At Sora, we specialize in working with students ages 10-18 because this group requires a unique approach. Traditional schools fail to adapt, resorting to increased consequences in a desperate attempt to re-engage learners. This flawed strategy not only damages a student’s relationship with learning but can also lead to anxiety and depression.
Adolescents need respect, connection, and agency. They need to see how learning aligns with their newfound goals and identity. They need mentors who validate their feelings while holding them accountable to ambitious, mutually-agreed-upon goals. They need a community of peers who celebrate excellence.
I’m thrilled to see famed psychologist David Yeager addressing this critical issue in his upcoming book, “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People,” set to release next month. Should we start a book club?!
