Our Mission
To create a global standard of excellence in literacy education by providing comprehensive evidence-based instruction to children and educators alike, helping every learner reach their full potential.
Our Vision
To be a leader in literacy education, revolutionizing the way phonics and reading are taught around the world and ensuring that every child is equipped with the tools for lifelong learning.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER DIRECTOR
Mrs. Zeenath Raees
Official Jolly Phonics Trainer | Educator | Literacy Consultant
Zeenath Raees is a highly experienced educator with over a decade of expertise in phonics instruction and literacy development. As the Founder and Director of Start Smart Learning Academy, she has been instrumental in promoting structured phonics education across Sri Lanka and internationally.
With a strong background in teacher development, she has trained over 2,000 educators in the proven Jolly Phonics method a globally recognized, multisensory approach to early literacy. Her training programs have reached teachers in Sri Lanka, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and other regions.
Her passion for phonics began when she saw extraordinary improvements in children’s reading, spelling, and confidence through Jolly Phonics. Inspired by these results, she launched her own classes and continues to help children build strong literacy foundations in a fun, engaging, and effective way.
Zeenath is a certified trainer for multiple educational organizations and has completed advanced professional development in phonological awareness, literacy pedagogy, and phonics instruction. She regularly updates her expertise through international Jolly Learning training programs to ensure her teaching aligns with global best practices.
Beyond managing the academy, Zeenath works as a literacy consultant, guiding schools in integrating phonics-based reading programs. With the rising demand for skilled Jolly Phonics trainers across Sri Lanka and the Middle East, she remains dedicated to empowering educators and expanding access to high-quality literacy education.
Funfact
Strength in Numbers
I worked as a primary teacher and currently conducting online classes for kids. Thank you for everything you did. It was a great pleasure to work with you for a few days. You were so friendly and all the explanations were very clear. Not only that, we can clarify anything at any time from you. The course content was nicely arranged and again I give you a big thank to give us such a valuable course within a short period. ❤️
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the invaluable training you provided during the phonics course. Your expertise, dedication, and passion for teaching phonics were evident throughout the course, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn from you. Your clear explanations, engaging activities, and constructive feedback have significantly enhanced my understanding of phonics principles and teaching strategies. I particularly appreciated the hands-on approach and practical examples you incorporated into the lessons, which made the material more accessible and applicable. Thank you once again for your dedication and support throughout the course. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been your student, and I look forward to applying what I have learned in my future teaching endeavors.