OUR STAFF

My name is Julia Berkuta. I am Russian. I moved to Utah when I was 12 years old. I am the oldest of five children and always liked helping siblings with schoolwork. I volunteered at my church in Sunday school at an early age and what would be better than making a career out of helping children learn.

I started as an assistant director at Smart Kids Development center. Katia encouraged me to take early childhood classes and to work towards my CDA (Child Development Associate credentials). When I was done with CDA, I became a director. I am now the Pre School Teacher here and absolutely love it. I love coming in and making a difference in children’s everyday life, been that safe place they can count on.

I am a mom of two children: a 2nd-grade boy who loves dinosaurs, trucks, and anything with our planets, and a 3 year old girl who loves to play with babies and to help everyone and anyone who needs help.

Adriana Perez married for 13 years and I have 2 boys, 12 and 7 yrs old, I started working in childcare in 2003 have worked for the same center for 10 years, I love what I learned there, but I wanted to continue to learns and grow so started take classes offered by sate based on different child ages.

In October 2014, I found Smart Kids. They hired me as an Infant teacher and it was a good experience at this center located in South Salt Lake, In January 2015, they gave me a good opportunity to get my CDA (Child Development Associate) based on Infants & Toddlers I finish this on July 2015, Every day I go to work and show love and dedication to all of the families that we have in the program. After 2 years of being in a classroom, Smart Kids gave me the chance to show them that I wanted to continue to learn, School Age Coach for the Summer Program in July 2016, that was a whole new experience for me because I never worked closely with that age. I learned, grew and had so much fun doing this, once summer was over, was offered a Director position was available, On October 2016, I started that position as director of Smart Kids Kearns I was scared and happy at the same time. This was a perfect time to put all that I learned during these 13 years as a teacher.

I love what I’m doing now and it is a completely different experience, Thanks to Smart Kids.

Recently I just got my National Administration Credential.

I’m on level 7 of the career ladder for Early Childhood professionals.
Infant/Toddler Endorsement.
CPR/First Aid Certified.
Food Handlers Permit.

My name is Norma Rascon, and I am the Director at Smart Kids Developmental Center in Salt Lake City. My experience has consisted of working with kids for ten years in education. I graduated from the University of Texas in 1998, with a degree in Infant Psychology. After graduating I moved to West Palm Beach Florida, where I worked as Assistant Director at a Daycare. In 2010 I moved to Salt Lake City and was offered an opportunity to work as the Director and have been doing that for six years. Working with Smart Kids is the best experience. I love my job and the opportunity to be a part of their lives.

Hi! My name is Marisol Uzal and I joined Smart Kids as a pre-school teacher in 2012. Now I am proud to be the director at our Taylorsville location.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages with a major in Education. I have been working in the education field for more than 28 years. I believe all kids deserve to have a safe educational environment to learn and grow in, that’s why I am lucky
to be part of the Smart Kids family.

My name is Anyela Gratero’n, I’m 32 years old, I am married, my favorite color is turquoise. When I was a child I studied in Venezuela is my country, I studied in bilingual school from (3 years old to 18 years old) and then I started working with kids with special conditions in a hospital (Orientation & Education at Paciente), Later I started in college studying 5 years in University Preschool Education.

I have 15 years of working with kids. I moved to Utah in 2013, and I started working in child care. I was an Art & Spanish teacher. Then I started working for Smart Kids from 2014 until now. I started in school-age classes and now I’m the preschool Teacher (4 & 5 year class). I love my profession.

My hobbies are Decor my house, cook, travel, my favorite food is Venezuelan and sushi.

I am Jill Davidson. I moved to Utah in 1986 after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I grew up in a small town in Southern California.
I have always loved working with children and animals and I knew my career would consist of one or the other.
I started working at the West Jordan location in April 1986. I loved it so much! I taught pre-school for a few years, then the school-age children stole my heart. I became the activities director for a few more years while I finished school. Then I was asked to teach kindergarten and became the director at the center in 2000.
In 2012, Smart Kids bought the center and I was lucky enough to be asked to stay as their director. So, all in all, I have been here for 30 years! I have my babies bringing me their babies! It makes me feel old, but loved…

Hi, my name is Flavia Souza and I am the Director at the Redwood location. I have been in Utah for 16 years now and I graduated from Olympus High School, go Titans! I am a mom of 2 beautiful children named Gabrielly (12) and Victor (8). I have one sister who is 8 years younger than me so growing up I was always watching and babysitting her. When I was in high school I would babysit to make extra money. Sometimes babysitting up to 5 kids at a time. I then become a mom to my 2 awesome kids and my passion for kids just grew. I always had jobs in other areas and never looked into childcare for a career. So one day when I was searching for a job, my friend told me about a childcare that was hiring. I had no experience but they gave me a chance anyway. I fell in love with it. My first year I was a Pre-K teacher and my next 3 years there I was with infants/toddlers. During my time there, I received my Child Development Associate degree with an emphasis in Infants Toddlers.

I came to Smart Kids in May/2015 with the amazing opportunity to be a director. I have loved every minute of it. Being a director has taught me so much. I really love making a difference in a child’s life and building a relationship with their families. I have since received my National Administrators Credential through the National Association of Young Children. I strive to be better every day and I tell my teachers how important their role is in their children’s lives. I love to watch the kids face when they learn something new and how much unconditional love they have for us. It is a very gratifying experience.