Monika Gross completed her pre-practical training as a nursery school teacher at the Idar-Oberstein municipal administration from 1977 to 1978. She then moved to Morbach for her year of recognition and a substitute position. In April 1984, Gross returned to Idar-Oberstein and, together with a colleague, supervised the 'Bunte Spielekiste', a mobile play program. From January 1, 1985, she worked as an educator at the Weierbach daycare center, then at the Nahbollenbach/Ringstraße and Nahbollenbach/Rechstraße daycare centers, where she was also a manager. In 2011, Monika Gross moved to the daycare group in the former Flurschule and then finally to the Göttschied daycare center in 2015.
Mayor Frühauf thanked the future pensioner for her outstanding commitment to the educational service of the city of Idar-Oberstein. Her many years of service in this area were a special achievement. "You are the retirement of an institution," emphasized the mayor. "Her colleagues describe Monika Gross as a reliable and resilient educator with great stamina and many creative ideas," explained Katrin Schwarz, Deputy Head of the Youth Welfare Office. She has always adapted to the changing conditions in the childcare service and has always been an anchor and partner for the children. Susanne Becker, Chair of the Staff Council, described Gross as a motivated and committed colleague who had always stood up for employee rights and was often at the forefront of industrial disputes. Everyone wished Monika Gross all the best for the new phase of her life and presented her with farewell gifts.
After the words of praise, Gross himself looked back on the eventful times with highs and lows in the city's daycare centers. "The games box was a great and very interesting offer, and we were out and about in the districts with the construction trailer." Working in the various facilities was also fun, but was always associated with major upheavals: Changes in pedagogy such as the switch from closed to open groups, the lowering of the entry age, changes in opening hours, the merging of smaller daycare centers into larger units and much more. But one thing always remained the same: "Working on and with the children was the most important thing for me." This is why Monika Gross can also imagine returning to the daycare center from time to time for special activities.