Volunteer of the Week - Aften Pankiewicz

Aften started volunteering at San Francisco International High School early last semester. Luckily for us, and for our students, she would not leave. On the days Aften comes in to tutor she is always hunched over a homework problem until 6 pm when Kyle (our after-school coordinator) is begging everyone to go home. 

Aften does a great job connecting with all of our students. She is open and approachable and the type of tutor that can be paired with anyone.

Beyond tutoring, Aften started an SAT prep class in response to student anxiety about the exam. Aften's commitment to the students at SFIHS has been noticed by multiple faculty members who often rave about her. Overall, Aften is a great asset to the SFIHS community and Refugee Transitions is lucky to have her.

Name: Aften
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Job: Regional Administrative Assistant for Trimac
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: After-chool tutoring at SFIHS

What are your hobbies? Reading, drawing, calligraphy, writing, and English grammar.
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Alice Paul. Her efforts, along with those of other members of the National Women’s Party, made some of the most momentous leaps in women’s rights for our nation.
What is your favorite book? The BFG by Roald Dahl
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? If I could travel anywhere I would go to Peru and spend a few years teaching English and touring the country.
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? I think that one of the best parts of learning is the experience. The small accomplishments, simple mistakes, and utter failures are what make us recognize the worth of that knowledge. When those experiences are taken away, the value of that knowledge diminishes, as well.
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? My most influential teacher has probably been my husband. He constantly shows me the importance of taking each day one step at time and appreciating the beauty along the way.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? My most rewarding moments occur whenever one of my students learns to see past their self-doubt and fears of incompetence and embrace their capability to succeed. It makes me indescribably happy.