This article originally appeared in Good Day, Berks — Spotlight PA’s free daily newsletter for Berks County and your daily dose of Berks County essentials. Sign up here.
This week’s Community Spotlight honoree is Gina Fiore, 23, who is employed as a paralegal at Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. She also volunteers as an English as a second language teacher at the Mother Veronica Resource Center, a Reading-based educational facility founded by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters that serves immigrants.
This conversation, which took place by phone, has been edited for length and clarity.
Good Day, Berks: Where do you live?
Gina Fiore: Gouglersville, which is part of Cumru Township.
Tell us a little about your family.
I live with my mom and dad and have two younger sisters who are in college.
Tell us about your work and what you like about it.
I started teaching ESL at the Mother Veronica Center in the summer of 2022 as part of a college internship. I taught all types of classes that summer and really enjoyed it.
When I graduated from college, I volunteered to continue teaching there, and I currently teach ESL classes two nights a week. My favorite thing about teaching ESL is the students. They have a very positive attitude, are hard-working, eager to learn, and very appreciative. I taught English at a university in Mexico for a year and was very grateful for the people there who helped me adjust to the country and the culture. I’m happy to be able to help my students do that here.
Tell us about a challenge you faced.
I’ve moved around a lot in the past few years, graduating from college in Massachusetts, going to teach in Mexico, and then moving home. It was difficult to start over each time, but those experiences taught me resiliency, and I’m proud that I was able to build community in each new place.
Favorite place to eat in Berks County?
Hawaii Kitchen on Penn Avenue in West Reading. I love the poke bowls.
Where would you take a visitor to in Berks and why?
GoggleWorks! I participated in their after-school programs when I was in high school. These days, I love to just pop in and walk around and look at all the great artwork. It’s beautiful, and it’s free!
What book, poem, song, or artwork is meaningful to you?
I love Bad Bunny’s music and his message. I admire his activism and that he uses his music to promote inclusivity and to push back against colonialism. He’s not afraid to take a stand, and his music is a vibe!
Who in your life has had a great influence on you, and how did they influence you?
My grandparents on my mom’s side lived with us when I was growing up and were a great influence on me. My maternal grandmother, who died recently, was the strongest woman I’ve ever known — rivaled by my mom.
She immigrated here from the Philippines and was a doctor. She supported her family coming to the United States and did great things as a woman of color working in a male-dominated field. She was extremely loving and hugely influential to me.
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