Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2026 May)
Fanny Gaston moved to the United States from France over 30 years ago. She didn’t speak a word of English when she arrived but became fluent after taking classes offered by Fairfax County Public Schools Adult & Community Education (ACE) program. Along with the welcoming community she found in Fairfax County, she credits ACE with helping her find her footing and make connections in her new home. Years later, Fanny joined the staff of ACE and now connects with and inspires her own students.
Fanny Gaston grew up in a small town in France called Remiremont, in the Vosges region, near Alsace and the German border. Her mother, Anne-Marie, was a seamstress, while her father, Daniel, was a cheesemonger. Fanny’s family maintained an extensive garden, growing fruits and vegetables, and were skilled in food preservation, including making and canning jam. Fanny shared her family’s interest in food, so she attended and graduated from catering school.
Fanny’s then husband, Christian, who is also French, had always dreamed of moving to the United States, so in 1992, the couple moved to the U.S. They lived in California and New York before settling in Springfield, Virginia. They felt at home almost immediately. “Virginia was the most welcoming. I feel that it’s very welcoming if you are a foreigner,” Fanny says.
Although Christian was fluent in English from living in England for a few years, Fanny needed to learn the language. She signed up for English classes at ACE, immersing herself in the language. “I used to have classes every night. To meet people from different countries, different cultures – it was an amazing time,” she recalls.
The couple had two children and while they were young, Fanny was a stay-at-home mom while also operating a small home-based daycare. Later, her children attended Cardinal Forest Elementary School in Springfield, which offered a before and after school French immersion program. When Fanny asked about registering her children for the program, the PTA president recruited her to teach instead. “My daughter was six at the time. I didn’t know you could say no, so I said yes,” she says.
While teaching French to children, Fanny decided that she wanted to learn Spanish, so she signed up for a class at ACE. She loved it, both learning the language and the people she met in her class. She also discovered that studying Spanish helped improve her English.
Fanny enjoyed teaching children and was so inspired by the ACE community that she wanted to also teach French to adults. Her instructor provided a reference, and after a successful interview, she was hired. Later, she interviewed for and was hired to teach culinary classes at ACE as well.
In addition to taking classes, Fanny believes that immersion is the best way to master a new language. Many of her students traveled, giving them the opportunity to practice the language. Learning a language is also a great opportunity to learn more about other countries and their cultures. One year, while teaching French, Fanny organized a field trip for her students to visit the National Gallery of Art and tour a special exhibition of French Impressionism.
After years of teaching, Fanny became interested in securing an administrative role at ACE. Her wishes came true when her supervisor asked Fanny to be her assistant. The job included overseeing the foreign language department. A few years later, her supervisor moved so Fanny applied for her job and was hired. As a program specialist, she oversees the language department at ACE. In addition to being her employer, ACE has served as a continuing education resource for Fanny. Over the years, she has expanded her knowledge and skills by taking classes on a variety of topics, including business and computer skills.
Currently, Fanny exclusively teaches culinary classes and has been delighted that many of the same students sign up for her classes and have formed friendships. “They care about each other. They see each other outside of class. It’s like a family,” she says. While she teaches most of her classes in English, she also offers some in French, such as a holiday workshop where students learn how to make a Bûche De Noël, a traditional French Christmas dessert shaped like a log.
Fanny and her husband eventually divorced but remained friends. Over three years ago, she met her partner, David. After retiring from his job as an air traffic controller, David fulfilled his dream of owning a farm by buying an eight-acre farm in Hustle, VA. He also owns a river house in Kinsale, VA. The couple split their weekends between the two properties. Sometimes, they spend their time at the farm and other times they enjoy weekends on the river – fishing or checking their crab pot and oyster float.
Since meeting David and spending weekends at the farm, Fanny has reconnected with her family’s tradition of growing and preserving their own food. Although gardening is hard work, she finds it deeply rewarding. “Gardening is good for the soul. It’s very relaxing,” she says. Their garden has also simplified meal planning – they prepare dishes based on what is ripe. “I go to the garden and pick vegetables and fruit, then go to the kitchen to cook,” Fanny says. She dreams of someday raising chickens on the farm.
In addition to a shared love of gardening, the couple also shares a love of jiu-jitsu, a martial art that emphasizes skill over strength. David introduced Fanny to the sport two years ago. After taking an introductory class, she was surprised by how much she enjoyed it, saying, “I’ve never done anything as challenging as that. They call it the chess of the body.” Fanny recently earned her blue belt, an accomplishment that required a great deal of discipline, especially waking in time for her 6:30 a.m. class.
While her practice of jiu-jitsu is relatively new, Fanny has practiced yoga for over 20 years and recently began studying to get certified as a yoga instructor. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that many of her fellow students were older, although she admits that she might be the oldest. Fanny hopes someday to teach chair yoga to older adults, knowing how beneficial it is for improving balance, flexibility, and core strength.
While building her life in the U.S., Fanny still returns to France every year to visit her family. Her mom also visits once or twice a year. Two years ago, Fanny proudly became a U.S. citizen. To prepare for the exam, she signed up for a free citizenship class held at a local church. She found the class interesting and enjoyed meeting her fellow students.
As a lifelong learner, Fanny encourages others, especially older adults, to pursue opportunities to learn. About her own classes she says, “When you go to classes, you meet people and you can make new friends. Cooking together brings people together. I really do believe it.”
Inspired to expand your skills, grow your knowledge, and connect with others? Visit fcpsace.org to explore all the learning opportunities ACE has to offer.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).