“The critical factor in success is not the skills or knowledge children bring to the table; it’s the mindset they have about their ability to learn and grow.”
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
THE GOAL
Believing While Achieving (BWA) is a developmental and educational consulting practice dedicated to helping children and families thrive through every stage of development. Rather than addressing academics, behavior, learning, and parenting as separate challenges, BWA integrates child development, educational psychology, academic support, executive functioning, parent coaching, and long-term educational planning into one personalized approach. Because every child is unique and every family is different, each recommendation is thoughtfully tailored to support lasting confidence, independence, and success.
Click Here to Learn More About BWA’s:
MEET BWA’S FOUNDER & EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT
Cassidy Walsh
Cassidy Walsh founded Believing While Achieving (BWA) with the goal of helping children and families thrive through every stage of development.
After being diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in elementary school, Cassidy experienced firsthand both the challenges students face and the life-changing impact of the right support. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for helping students discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and develop the confidence to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Cassidy earned her Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education before teaching middle school English and science. She later earned her Master's degree in Educational Psychology while expanding BWA and serving as a tutor, classroom teacher, learning specialist, academic coach, and educational consultant in various top-ranked private schools across the nation.
Further, Cassidy has pursued extensive professional development, earning certification in the Orton-Gillingham approach through the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana, becoming a Certified Admissions Counselor through the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and serving as an NCAA Eligibility Advisor. In addition to working directly with families, Cassidy has trained educators, mentored professionals, and collaborated with schools to help implement evidence-based practices that support student success.
Today, Cassidy leads a multidisciplinary team of specialists who partner with families from pregnancy through early adulthood, helping partners better understand child development while supporting students with learning differences, ADHD, executive functioning, academics, homeschooling, college planning, and life's transitions. By bringing together expertise that is traditionally spread across many different professionals, Cassidy has created a truly comprehensive educational service unlike any other.
When she's not working with students and families, Cassidy enjoys skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, dirt biking, camping, attending concerts, and traveling throughout Colorado and beyond.
MEET BWA’S DEVELOPMENTAL SPECIALIST, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING COACH & COLLEGE COUNSELOR
Andrea Jones
Andrea grew up immersed in the world of childhood development - a life inspired by her mother’s work as a Montessori teacher. This exposure shaped her understanding of how children learn and grow, fueling her inspiration to combine her personal roots with academic expertise. In 2015, she received her B.A. in Psychology from Texas A&M.
Soon after, Andrea moved to Colorado where she completed her Master’s in Child Development and Education while also earning a 0-3 Montessori Teacher Certificate. During this time, she also worked as the Head Teacher of an infant classroom at Highlands Montessori School and later became the Early Childhood Education Manager at the Montessori Academy of Colorado. Through these experiences, Andrea began collaborating with children and parents, fostering partnerships that focused on setting families up for long-term success.
After battling breast cancer in 2023, Andrea gained a renewed perspective on the importance of combining her passion for empowering parents and guardians with evidence-based developmental guidance and the individualized tools needed to navigate both the joys and challenges of raising children. Drawing on her expertise in childhood development, psychology, and Montessori practices, Andrea earned certifications in Newborn Care and Parent Coaching and launched BWA’s Baby Branch. She has also obtained an Admissions Counseling certification through the National Association for College Admissions Counseling and multiple Executive Functioning certifications, allowing her to work with children of all ages.
Andrea lives in Colorado where she works as BWA’s Development Specialist & Parent Coach who specializes in Montessori practices, as well as an Executive Functioning Coach and College Counselor. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys snowboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, camping, painting, listening to live music, and traveling.
MEET BWA’S EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING COACH
Kelly Young
Driven by a passion for helping students realize their full potential, Kelly has spent nearly a decade working in education, supporting learners both in-person and virtually.
After earning her degree in Elementary Education with a dual certification in Middle Grades History from the College of Charleston, she began her career teaching and quickly saw how capable students are when given the right tools and support needed to thrive. This experience fueled her desire to make a greater impact, leading her to earn a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Clemson University.
As an Executive Functioning Coach, Kelly specializes in helping students develop essential skills in organization, time management, and self-direction while partnering closely with families and schools. She is especially passionate about working with middle and high schoolers during this pivotal stage of their lives, equipping them with strategies that build confidence and independence—both in and out of the classroom.
With a deep understanding of the unique challenges today’s students face, Kelly combines empathy, structure, and accountability to help learners take ownership of their success.
Kelly lives in South Carolina with her husband, two young daughters, and their two rescue puppies. She loves to travel and cherishes quality time with family.
MEET BWA’S ACADEMIC COACH & TUTOR
Stephanie Solomon
Determined to help students bridge the gap between academic mastery and emotional resilience, Stephanie has spent six years cultivating a supportive learning environment as a classroom teacher and Social Emotional Learning Specialist.
After beginning her career as a secondary math teacher in Los Angeles, Stephanie spent four years in the classroom witnessing firsthand how the right balance of academic challenge and support can transform a student's trajectory. This experience, coupled with her desire to support the whole child, led her to specialize as a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist. Today, she holds Colorado licenses in both Secondary Mathematics and School Counseling, offering strong SEL and academic support for all students.
As an Academic Coach and Tutor, Stephanie specializes in helping students navigate the academic, executive functioning, and emotional challenges that influence learning and growth. She is especially passionate about working with students struggling with executive functioning, anxiety, or learning differences to build the concrete skills necessary for lifetime success. By combining personalized instruction with a focus on confidence building, she equips her students to take ownership of their learning.
Stephanie lives in Colorado with her husband and their toddler. She is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to hike, bike, and camp, often adventuring alongside her two favorite sidekicks, her pups, Albie and Cleo.
MEET BWA’S SPANISH TUTOR
Bryan Hanrahan
Bryan’s passion for language and learning began early on and deepened when he discovered the transformative power of cross-cultural communication and education first-hand, through studying abroad in Granada, Spain. After earning a dual degree in Spanish and Mathematics from Washington & Jefferson College in 2010, Bryan began his teaching career.
Bryan spent nearly a decade at a Catholic high school in Pittsburgh, teaching Spanish courses from the introductory level to Honors and AP. During this time, he also earned a Master of Science in Education and became certified as an ESL Program Specialist. Bryan has led student experiences across Spain, France, Costa Rica, and Mexico, and served as a translator for service trips to Peru. Beyond the classroom, he collaborated with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association to further his professional growth.
Bryan later joined Chartiers-Houston Jr/Sr High School, where he currently teaches Spanish I-IV and Geometry. He continues to make education a bridge between cultures, spending his free time working closely with Early Interventionists and Hispanic families as a part-time interpreter. Through BWA, he brings his expertise to students nationwide, helping them grow in both language and cultural understanding.
Bryan currently resides in Pennsylvania. When not teaching, interpreting, or tutoring, he enjoys traveling, coaching, playing volleyball, and exploring the outdoors.
FAQs
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Unlike traditional tutoring companies that focus primarily on academics, BWA takes an integrated approach. We consider executive functioning, developmental milestones, emotional wellbeing, learning differences, educational psychology, family dynamics, and long-term goals when creating individualized plans. Rather than working with separate professionals for every challenge, families benefit from BWA’s coordinated approach designed to support the whole child.
See the “Why BWA” page or contact us for more information.
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BWA intentionally brings together professionals with expertise in educational psychology, child development, executive functioning, academic coaching, admissions counseling, Montessori education, social-emotional learning, and subject-specific instruction.
BWA knows that children and families don't experience challenges in isolated categories and neither should their support.
See the “About” page or contact us for more information.
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BWA works with all ages, From conception through adulthood.
The Baby Branch works with infants through toddlers, while PreK-12 Academic Ascent and College Admissions and Transitions chapters focus on early childhood through college-aged students. Parent Coaching is available to all caregivers.
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See the “Services” page or contact Cassidy for more information on any of the following services:
Baby Branch
• Prenatal - Newborn Specialist
• Infant - Toddler Specialist
• Developmental Consultant
PreK-12 Academic Ascent
• Tutoring
• Academic Coaching
• Educational & Developmental Consulting
• Homeschooling
• Parent Coaching
• Teacher, Tutor, & Specialist Trainings
• Home-Bound Teaching
• Program, Curriculum, & Lesson Design
College Admissions & Transitions
• Admissions Counseling
• SAT/ACT Test Prep
• Transitioning to College Support
• Tutoring
• Academic Coaching
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Sessions are held via Zoom. This convenient format eliminates transportation hurdles and allows clients to work in the comfort of their own homes.
In-home services may be requested for an additional fee.
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Length is of sessions is determined by chosen services and individual needs. In most cases, lessons last an hour.
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For further descriptions, please visit the “Services” pages.
Pricing information may be requested by submitting the “Contact Us” form or by BWA emailing cassidy@believingwhileachieving.com.