A Full-Circle Journey: Faviola Olvera’s Path from Student to Teacher

For Faviola Olvera, walking through the doors of The Literacy & Learning Center is a deeply meaningful full-circle moment. Her journey with the organization began in the late 1990s, not as an instructor, but as an ESL student. Today, she uses that firsthand experience to lead the Center’s new Citizenship Class, helping others find their voice just as she did.

Empathy in the Classroom

Having navigated the citizenship process herself in 2008, Faviola intimately understands the anxiety that accompanies the naturalization exam. She recalls the stress of preparation and has made it her primary goal to reduce that burden for her students.

Faviola credits her own ease with the civics portion of the test to her education in the United States. "I was fortunate to have Mrs. Frieda Bennett as my civics teacher in high school, so the civics test was a breeze for me—thank you, Mrs. Bennett!" she shared. However, she recognizes that most of her students did not attend school in the U.S., making the material entirely new to them. To combat the "monotony" of memorizing 100 intense history and government questions, she utilizes engaging tools:

•   Visuals and Stories: Using videos and pictures to make the material stick.

•   Enthusiasm: Sharing her genuine love for civics and history to help students connect with the subject.

•   Guided Practice: Ensuring that by exam day, answering questions feels second nature rather than a source of stress.

Success and Giving Back

Faviola’s approach is already yielding incredible results. She previously mentored Violeta Rojas Quintero, who passed her citizenship exam on the first try. "It was amazing," Faviola shares, noting that Violeta now works at the Center, giving back to the community, a testament to the cycle of support TL&LC fosters.

Leadership Rooted in Service

Faviola’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. As the Executive Director of the Community Care Clinic, her two roles complement one another perfectly. Both positions are dedicated to helping neighbors access vital services,  healthcare and education, that they might not otherwise have access to.

Her time at TL&LC significantly influenced her leadership style. "Working with TL&LC opened my eyes to the nonprofit sector and showed me the tremendous impact a small organization can have," she explains. She encourages current ESL students to dream big, even if stepping into leadership roles feels intimidating: "Your perspective and experiences matter.”

An Investment in Our Neighbors

For Faviola, supporting programs like the Citizenship class is an investment in the entire community. She often reflects on how her life changed when community members took the time to help her and her siblings learn English when she was just eight years old. "Ultimately, I hope [students] become actively involved in the civic life of their communities," she says, noting that citizenship brings the significant responsibility of voting. By helping neighbors succeed and thrive, the entire community becomes stronger.

To learn more about programs at The Literacy & Learning Center, visit TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org or contact Caroline Cox at ccox@theliteracyandlearningcenter.org.