“Our older son loves Tia Monica, and so do we. He started playing and learning with her in the playgroups and then was part of the first class at GIRAFAS school. She has been instrumental in his upbringing and education- and we can’t wait till our younger son is able to join the playgroups and pre-school as well. Through her playgroups and school my son and I have made wonderful friendships. We have seen the fruits of her hard work first hand in so many ways- and there are so many proud moments, like when we went to Brazil on vacation, and he was as fluent as his friends who live there, or the book that he made of his birth through age 3- where he told the teachers what to write or where he wanted things- and he loves to ‘read’ it to me at home, or the moment he memorized in Portuguese the ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ story (after Tia Monica had read it so many times at his request) and asked Tia Monica if he could ‘read’ the story- and he set up the scene and then ‘read’ to the class- saying perfectly what was on each page with no prompt from Tia Monica and copying the intonations that she used for the characters, or when he earned his first belt in Capoeira- there are no words to describe the gratitude for these beautiful moments- which are helping him to shape his future, and bring me such pride as well as tears of joy. The small setting really enables her to provide the individual caring attention, but also give the children the social environment they need to flourish.”

-  Michelle

“My son has been with Monica since before he was walking. At the beginning we were in a playgroup with other children and their mothers. Now he attends Monica’s Portuguese immersion preschool, Girafas. He loves it!

The name of his class “Amigos para Sempre” (Friends Forever) expresses much of what the school provides for my family. I feel so lucky to have my child in such nurturing and culturally enriching environment.  The families (that I now consider my friends) are extremely supportive of each other. I believe this support is  due to Monica’s ability to foster such an environment, by promoting a healthy communication among parents. She listens and tries to accommodate parents’ needs. She is also open to suggestions.

Although my main interest was for my son to be in a Portuguese immersion program, I really like the school’s philosophy of respecting and honoring diverse backgrounds and cultures. We are very happy with the school!”

- Maria

“We have found a home in ‘Tia Monica’s ‘ school! After moving to the suburbs last year, my daughter and I commute 1.5 hours in order to continue to be a part of the school. Monica is a Brazilian pied piper and the children clamor to go to her class. My daughter has gained a real sense of community, in addition to benefiting from excellent teaching methods, Portuguese language acquisition (as a second language) and a warm and happy atmosphere. It is wonderful for both of us to be a part of a group who really cares about one another and who puts the blossoming of our children as a first priority.”

- Annie