Position:
1:1 paraprofessional at Reading High School and RESPA President

I grew up in:
Reading, Pa.

Family:
Husband; Chris; sons, Hunter and Aiden; and our Yorkie, Pepper

Education: 
Graduate of Reading High School
Graduate of Reading-Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center -  Health Occupations Education
Graduate of East-West School of Massage Therapy

What makes me #RSDProud?
Working with the students for multiple years, you get to see them grow and mature. We really do have wonderful students within RSD! 

Favorite songs from teenage years I still rock out to when no one is listening?
Well, even if they are listening, it’s “Shoop” and “Push-It” by Salt-N-Pepa and “No Scrubs” by TLC – just to name a few. 

If I had a time machine, would I go back in time or into the future and why?
I would go back in time so I could see and talk with my Dad. I miss him so much. 

If I could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
Hawaii. It’s on my bucket list to visit so living there for a year would be amazing! 

If you could rename yourself, what would it be?
Mackenzie. I have loved that name for a while now, and if I had a girl that would’ve been her name.

What’s the most random thing in your purse?
Toys trucks, toy cars and nuks, to name a few. Being a mom, you never know what gets in there! LOL!

Keep shining, Kim! 😎

Position:
Parent Engagement Facilitator

I grew up in: 
I was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City.

Family: 
Husband. Daniel Egusquiza; mom, Amantina Pimentel; sister, Johanny Morel; brother, Kevin Canaan; niece, Grace DeLeon; and nephew, Austin Medina

Education: 
Bachelors in Arts in English Adolescence Education

What makes you #RSD Proud? 
I’m #RSDProud because it’s amazing to see the amount of talent coming from our community. So many amazing individuals have chosen to stay here and help light up our community, and that’s so inspiring!

What takes a lot of time but is totally worth it? 
EVERYTHING! Anything worth doing takes time. Engaging with others takes time. Building relationships with others takes times. Planning events takes times. Doing your hair takes time. Everything takes time - that’s why you must make sure you are spending your life doing things that are meaningful to you, and things you are passionate about.

Who is the most inspirational person to you? // Who’s someone you really admire? 
Johanny Morel! She’s my sister, and I’m constantly inspired by her year after year. I have been blessed to have the privilege to grow up with her as my role model.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
If I could live anywhere in the world for a year, I would choose my birthplace, the Dominican Republic. Unfortunately, I left my beautiful island when I was very young, and I missed out on a lot. I would love a chance to go back and get in touch with my roots.

You have to sing karaoke, what song do you pick?
Depends. Is it the end of the night? Piano Man by Billy Joel.

Beginning of the night? Drops of Jupiter by Train

Mid-way through the night? Amiga Veneno by Zacarias Ferreira.

I love Karaoke and I have a song for everything- even if I’m really bad at it!

What are you reading right now?
I am currently re-reading one of my favorites, “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s one of my all-time favorites, and I recommend it to everyone.

Keep shining, Arleny! 😎

Position:
2^nd Grade Teacher, Glenside Elementary

I grew up in: 
Born and raised in Reading, Pa. (Southside)

Family: 
Mother, Norma; brother, Juan Carlos; longtime love, Marcos Sr.; and three children, Marcos Jr., Jaden and Mia.

What makes you #RSD Proud? 
Although I did not attend Reading schools, I was always and still am #RSDproud. Hence, the reason I chose to teach in Reading. 

My first job:
Hostess at Friendly's on Lancaster Avenue. It was a great experience, and I quickly realized how much I enjoyed meeting folks from all walks of life. 

The three apps I would always keep on my phone:
Facebook, Class Dojo and Flipp (couponing app). I love to feel connected and enjoy a good deal. 

My favorite quote:
Practice makes progress because no one is perfect! 

My favorite subject in school:
Math

​My favorite family tradition:
Thanksgiving because I am a foodie, and I enjoy the love and gratitude the season offers. 

Keep shining, Jessica! 😎

Position:
Main Office Secretary at Riverside

I grew up in:
Reading, Pa.

Family:
Husband, Ernest; daughters, Marie and Julie, and son-in-law, Mark; son, David; granddaughters, Emily and Ellie; and dog, Pete 

Education:
Reading High School graduate 

What makes you #RSDproud:
The many dedicated principals, assistant principals and teachers in Reading School District! I am a Reading High School graduate, and our three children are also Reading High School graduates. Our daughter, Marie, is a daughter at Lauer's Park Elementary.

Favorite Quotes:

• “Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give” (Unknown)
  
  
• “We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others are bright, some have weird names but they all have learned to live together in the same box” (Robert Fulghum)

My first late night talk show guest would be:
Betty White -- she is a sweet lady with a great sense of humor!

I would love to have dinner with:
Sally Field and Morgan Freeman 

Most Inspirational Person:
My late mother, who was the strongest and most resilient person I’ve ever known.

My favorite movie is:
The Shawshank Redemption

Keep shining! 😎