Meet Clarivel Martinez Gross | Early Childhood Educator / CEO, Owner and Director of TATA’S DAY CARE LLC
We had the good fortune of connecting with Clarivel Martinez Gross and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Clarivel, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
The hardest choice I have ever had to make was to move abroad and start over in a place where I had a reputation and a professional career. I had to be patient, have faith, and unlearn as well as unfold and learn.
Always with my mother and God by my side, and with the intention of setting an example for my kids so they can see that they may start to realize their hopes and aspirations through hard work.
What should our readers know about your business?
Teaching and caring for children is a profession that I have always been interested in, and my biggest influence was my mother, who taught for more than thirty years. When she passed away, I decided to keep her legacy alive, becoming an Early Child Care Educator and to honor her memory I named my program TATA’S DAY CARE (“TATA” like her nickname).
I have two years of experience in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
In 2022, I officially entered in ECE world by launching my program with a 6 children license and a 3 stars quality rating.
I currently have a license for 12 children with the highest level of quality, I have over 200 hours of training,
I earned the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential for Bilingual Family Child Care at Grand Rapids Community College, I am working towards my ECE Associate Degree at MCC and looking opening a Child Care Center.
In my role as a child care provider and early childhood educator, I believe each child is unique and has their strengths and ways to relate with their world; my role involves scaffolding the children’s learning process, facilitating investigation, discovery, and experiences to support active learning, creativity, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving by harnessing their natural inclination to learn through play.
In my program, children are taught to respect themselves and others, and build relationships by making friends, sharing, and taking turns; I work on reinforcing acceptable behaviors through praise and working with families on challenging behaviors. I encourage cooperation and teamwork rather than competition, and when conflicts arise between children, I encourage them to resolve them by recognizing, expressing, and accepting their and other’s feelings.
I recognize and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in my program. I make sure all children and their families are welcome and valued regardless of origin, nationality, race, religion, language, family composition, etc. The enrollment process starts with a family information form where I ask questions about life at home to ensure that I can add some of those elements to my program, so children can feel proud of who they are. Also, I ensure to have at least one bilingual staff member to make children and families comfortable communicating with us.
I hope to help the children who attend my program, regardless of the time, to become excellent human beings, independent, successful, emotionally balanced, and always prepared for the challenges in their lives. I want them to be able to work hard to achieve their goals, to shine with their light, and for their lives to be full of love.
I am proud to contribute and help the next generation in our community to become well-adjusted, thoughtful, and active members of our society.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Family life is a priority in the design of Grand Rapids. Families visiting the city will find enough to amuse themselves in, from the animals of the John Ball Zoo to attractions like the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
One of its features is the Public Museum’s planetarium, which often holds events and conferences. If you’re in the vicinity, take the whole family to the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Kids may get their hands messy while learning thanks to its rotating displays that make history and science interesting.
Walking around the downtown area is a must if you want to see the iconic and breathtaking Blue Bridge. It’s the perfect place to have a cup of coffee, people watch, and take in the gorgeous views of Grand Rapids.
Next, head over to the Downtown Market. This market offers artisanal goods, flowers, prepared food vendors, local entertainment, and fresh veggies and fruits.
A wide selection of restaurants, pubs, and breweries can be found downtown, along with the most popular craft brews.
Grand Rapids has a wide range of outdoor exercise opportunities because of its abundance of parks and bike routes. A stroll, a picnic, or a get-together with friends are other options. You may even book a tee time at one of the several public golf courses that are situated within thirty minutes of the city.
One of the most lovely shopping districts in Grand Rapids can be found on Cherry St., which you must visit.
The good times never end when the sun goes down! If you want a lively evening, check out one of Grand Rapids’ many bars. There are dancing clubs, classy wine bars, relaxed breweries, and various hangouts where you may catch a comedy show, karaoke, or live music.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Pura Gross, my mother, is the reason I am who I am. I am inspired to carry on her legacy every day by her example and lessons learned. For over three decades, she was an educator, motivating and positively impacting numerous lives. I’d be happy if I could do even 25% of what she did.
Website: https://wonderschool.com/ref/12125
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarivelmartinez06/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TATASDAYCARE/
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMichigan is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
