Since graduating with a Masters in Special Education in 1985 (she also received a Bachelor's in Secondary Education in 1975), Connie has excelled as a bilingual early childhood teacher and more recently as an author. She has been honored for her innovative contributions in a distinguished career as a bilingual educator. In 2002, she received the Houston Independent School District(HISD) Bilingual Teacher of the Year Award. In 2003, she was named Teacher of the Year by both, the Texas and the National Associations of Bilingual Educators.

Her first Spanish language children's book, Leah Ann adopta un perico, received two awards at the 9th Annual International Latino Book Awards in May 2007: Best First Book/Spanish (The Mariposa Award), and Best Children's Audio Book/Spanish.

Incessant calls for teacher training from colleagues and administrators led Connie to become an education consultant. She and her sister, Martha Y. Diaz, Ed.D (1986 graduate of NMSU), are currently conducting a three-year research study to validate the CONNIE Method of teaching. Connecting Objectives with Neurons through Novelty and Innovation in Education is a teaching method that empowers educators to implement brain-based learning strategies and environments for accelerated learning. Teachers are closely coached and mentored; they are taught HOW implement an effective curriculum. Preliminary academic test scores for the students participating in the study have been exceptional. The main obstacle to Christine’s goal was the lack of an Intellectual Property (IP) and patent-related curriculum at UNM’s law school. While the school’s curriculum is both diverse and acclaimed, IP was one area that was lacking. In turn, Christine searched for ways to supplement her coursework and enrolled in Franklin Pierce Law Center, which specializes in IP and patent law and consistently ranks among the country’s top law schools for both concentrations.

With over 20 years of classroom experience, Connie knows the best way for teachers to strengthen their skills is by working with them one-on-one in their classroom during school. This hands-on, interactive approach allows for immediate feedback and guidance. Connie not only teaches the methods and strategies teachers must acquire, but actually demonstrates by modeling the process through a thematic approach, unit building, lesson preparation, and student assessment and evaluation using Howard Garner's theory of multiple intelligences and Benjamin S. Bloom's taxonomy of education objectives.

The following Texas state and Houston Independent School District tests will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of The CONNIE Model: APRENDA, IPT, NNAT, IGDI, Stanford 10, Terra Nova(CAT-6) Written Proficiency, IDEA(IPT), and TAKS Pass-Fail scores.

Currently entering the second year of a three-year research study, Dr. Ernesto M. Bernal, education consultant and external evaluator on innovative programs, is the external evaluator for the project titled, "Evaluating the short- and long-term effects of the CONNIE Model."

Dr. Ann Gallegos was a professor in the Education Dept. When Connie began the master's program, Dr. Gallegos encouraged her to pursue it in Bilingual Special Education, which was a new program at NMSU back then. Connie is thankful for Dr. Gallegos' guidance and the interest she took in training her. Dr. Gallegos opened up a whole new world for Connie that led to a rewarding, and award-winning career as a bilingual educator. Connie give credit to Gallegos for inspiring her to build dedication and passion for teaching young children.

Connie enjoyed living in married student housing while at NMSU. She and her family (husband and 2 girls) participated in campus activities that promoted education and a sense of community.The CONNIE Model (Connecting Objectives with Neurons through Novelty and Innovation in Education) is a teacher created, classroom tested, early childhood professional staff development model. It is a bilingual approach to teaching that Connie Reza developed based on brain research and sound bilingual pedagogy. The primary goal is to help teachers connect educational goals and objectives (as outlined by the Texas Education Agency) with neuroscience discoveries about the brain and learning for all children.

This effort will provide young children the opportunity to develop pre-reading, language, cognitive, and social skills at a time when their minds and bodies are exhibiting a tremendous capacity for learning. Recent scientific research clearly documents that the knowledge and skills gained in the first five years of life are critical to a child's future success.

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