Today we’d like to introduce you to Tairi Grace.
Tairi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have four children currently ages 14, 12, 9, and 8. My eldest struggled in public school from kindergarten on. He had a difficult time learning the way the other children did. He had an IEP since K, but he continued to struggle. His self-esteem vastly decreased and his anxiety about attending school heightened. My second child had the opposite issue. He is extremely bright and was not being challenged enough.
I was a clinical juvenile probation officer in Cook County for approximately ten years, from there I obtained my LCSW, and began working in private practice in Lombard with sexually abused youth. After the birth of my fourth child, I opened my own private practice in Yorkville and began treating children, adults, families, and couples. I began to notice that most people relied on pharmaceuticals for wellness and so I decided to bridge the gap. I enrolled and graduated from a 200 hour yoga teacher training program and opened a yoga studio. I am currently a 500 hour E-RYT, and run annual 200 hour yoga tea her trainings. Approximately 6 years ago when I opened the yoga studio, I also started a festival in Yorkville- called Metaphysically Fit Fest. This year we had approximately 1000 attendees, this festival celebrates diversity, cultural awareness, and wellness.
So, (this is all coming together now), my sons’ struggles coupled with my community involvement prompted me to open a school. GHCFE. We are a private 501c3. We are prek – high school – registered by ISBE. We teach not only academics but also yoga, meditation, mindfulness, self-sustainability, emotional wellness, etc.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been the opposite of a smooth road. I am the only founder, so I do not have anyone to turn to for financial support. I sold a rental property that I owned to fund the build out. I went through 80 K (all of my savings) to fund the first year. Funders, grants, etc are all almost impossible to obtain in the first few years. Most opportunities require years of tax information. We currently have 52 students and for only being open for one year is incredible. I currently work 40 hours per week for free and did this the entire last year. After working full time at the school I then go to “work” at my yoga studio and private practice. But, this is the only obstacle. The students, the teachers, the families, everything else is amazing.
Grace Holistic Center for Education – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Everyone is talking about organic food, mindfulness, yoga, wellness, self-sustainability, emotional well-being. We are doing this at school. What these children are being taught is priceless.
We are all about service and community partnerships as well. We grow and pick food for the local food pantry.
We work with local pet adoption agency Fur Angels – to care for foster animals
We partner with Aurora University and have 4 graduate level social work interns.
We also have aquaponics and vegetable gardens.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every morning now when my eldest gets up out of bed on time and is excited to go to school, when I get to school and see 52 students and their families smiling and happy to be here. That is how I know that everything I am d0ing , we are doing here is worth it.
Oh – and everyone has Spanish class also.
Contact Info:
- Address: Grace Holistic Center for Education
210 Beaver Street
yorkville il 60560 - Website: www.ghcfe.org
- Phone: 331-207-8932
- Email: tgrace@ghcfe.com
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