Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel.
Hi Gabriel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I got to where I am through a series of adventures and misadventures, if I’m honest. I was in school for Biomedical sciences, I became unhoused, found work as a Bible teacher in my church’s private school, was laid off of that job, found a job as a camp counselor, then I became a Registered Behavior Technician working with children on the spectrum with all sorts of behaviors. Some more extreme than others. In these positions I gained valuable insight in how to work with ANY child by just observing them, listening to the language of their behavior and connecting with them more. From there I changed my degree to Exceptional Student Education, I then received my undergrad and used my expertise in the classroom. Around this same time I went viral on social media explaining how to correct child behavior without violence and was immediately flooded with people asking for advice, so I wrote a book. Now, seeing the need families have at raising their children correctly I’ve started MASSEVIDEO an company that works with families and schools to provide education and resources to ensure the people working and raising our children are equipped and empowered to do it correctly. I do everything from parent coaching and tutoring to professional development and Special Education advocacy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road was far from smooth. I struggled with depression, suicide, grief, inadequacy, poverty, homelessness. It was a time of great pain, but also great healing. Through my work I shared healing from the habits that were keeping me stuck in cycles. I began to realize that much of the issues I was currently facing had to do with generational cycles of learned behavior and I had the power to change it. So much of the pain I endured was simply a purging of the toxicity I was carrying. Once I trusted the physician within, things started to change and change rapidly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Massevideo (translates roughly to ‘Big Vision’) is a childcare resource center that focuses on equipping parents, teachers, and any childcare worker with the tools and skills necessary to work with children effectively. We do 1 on 1 and group Coaching, tutoring (k-12, all subjects, remote and in-person. 1 on 1 or group) special education advocacy, Professional Development for schools and districts, create project based curriculum for homeschool students/co-ops, and more.
The goal is to provide families with a village of skilled, equipped and empowered people to help take the weight of parenting/childcare and make it lighter so they can heal and raise healthy children.
What sets me apart is the scope of service and the team I have backing me. I don’t believe in just helping in this one area, as that one area can impact so many others. I believe in a holistic approach that changes the entire environment to a healthy one. My team of teachers, parents and childcare workers do the same. We Shift the environment and make order out of chaos.
My company has 5 departments. My favorite is Shift Parenting and Massevideo Tutoring. This is where you see growth in real-time. As a teacher, the thrill and dopamine hit is when I see a student or parent get it! When their eyes light up with understanding and you see it CLICK! And you say, “THAT’S IT! YOU GOT IT!” The hands on, in the trenches with the students and families, watching the failures, watching the successes, but really WATCHING THE GROWTH! THAT’S what I’m MOST proud of.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Deland is a beautiful town of diverse people with all sorts of interesting backstories. It’s such a family friend place with so many things to do either in town or in nature. You have wonderful people you see all the time out and about that become regulars in your life like a 90s sitcom.
Things I don’t like about Deland… Well, I’m originally from Atlanta. A big city. We have more to do there. Deland is very slow and, in a lot of ways, still behind. We’re growing which is great, but also with that growth we’re destroying land to make room for even more expensive housing developments that are an eyesore. But that’s just me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Shiftparenting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_indomitable_blackman?igsh=MTh5cWsxNGUzcWtvMQ==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theindomitableblackman?si=bVdC37MeXNxxAyzA
Image Credits
Joel Rooster Bell (For headshot)
Ansley School (for remaining shots)
