At GIRAFAS, our Mission is to develop culturally conscious world citizens, by teaching children to respectfully express themselves in Portuguese, and inspiring them to appreciate and celebrate the diversities that distinguish and unite us.

MÔNICA ROCHA - FOUNDING DIRECTOR & LEAD EDUCATOR

Mônica Rocha, founding director and lead educator at GIRAFAS Play & Learn, was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. Having chosen teaching as her profession from an early age, Mônica attended and graduated from a specialized high school for early childhood development (CEFAM). At 19 years old she began her career, teaching English to toddlers, adolescents, and adults at the Fisk Language Institute in São Paulo. In 2004, Mônica moved to New York and her passion for children, education, and arts drove her to pursue her dual NYS certifications in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, as well as a second degree in Arts at Brooklyn College.

In 2008, Mônica designed classes for a parents’ co-op school for English speakers in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. This experience, along with years of practical studies and work in New York City daycares, nursery schools, and public schools, gave her a strong foundation to realize her dream of creating her own program. She wanted to offer children an opportunity to celebrate their differences and similarities through a healthy, pleasant, and meaningful education. Mônica’s belief is that early childhood experiences are critical to the shaping of an independent, confident and happy adult.

Interested in being a part of GIRAFAS' team?

We’d love to know more about you! If you you are interested in working or volunteering with us, fill out the form below and we will get back to you ASAP!

Job Application Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

(###)

###

####

Are you proficient in Portuguese?

Yes

Are you proficient in English?

Yes

Other languages read, written, and/or spoken Fluently

Are legally authorized to work in the United States?

Yes

Do you have any previous experience working with children ages 1-6? If yes, for how long? Can you provide a minimum of three professional references?

What is your educational and professional qualifications?

Please write in details your experiences or copy/paste your resume.

It can be a simple job history, education, a bullet-list of skills acquired, and highlights of your related experience. Applicants who do not include this information will be asked to provide it if they wish to be considered for an interview.

IN ORDER TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE READ AND VERIFY:

By checking this box, I certify that the information provided on this application is true, accurate, and complete. I understand that if I am employed by GIRAFAS Play & Learn INC, providing false or misleading information will result in a refusal to hire or in the event of employment, may be considered sufficient cause for termination of my employment.