A Day in the Life: An Interview with NYC fellow Pnina Tranen
1) Can you tell me a little about yourself and how you got involved in Repair The Word?
Hey, I’m Pnina! I’m from Columbus, Ohio and I went to Stern College for Women where I studied psychology and biology. I really wanted to do a year of service before going to grad school, and the Repair the World fellowship program offers the best of what I wanted from this year- a social justice, service-oriented program built on a foundation of Jewish values-in Brooklyn!
2) What's a typical day like for you/. (you can mention the morning meeting, event planning, and obviously reading partners)
Everyday is so drastically different! Each morning starts with a team meeting, where we plan upcoming events and service projects, as well as setting intentions for the day. After that, the day could branch into many different directions: a meeting with someone interested in getting involved with Repair, going to a community event, or planning a training for the fellows. My favorite part of Repair is volunteering at Reading Partners three times a week, where I tutor elementary school kids in literacy.
3) Can you give some more information about reading partners (talk about how people can get involved)
Reading Partners is THE BEST. It is a national non-profit that designates classrooms in public schools for volunteers to work one-on-one with students to help them improve their reading skills. Reading Partners uses an easy to follow, effective, and fun curriculum, so even if the idea of teaching a student is terrifying, they make it super easy for you. Having one student that you work with every week also allows you to form a real connection with your student, and I’m kind of obsessed with mine. I am looking for tutors to join me on Wednesdays in Bed-Stuy for an hour of tutoring each week at 1, 1:45, and 2:45pm (email me!).
4) Where is your favorite place to spend time in Brooklyn?
I’m addicted to coffee, so I’ve been exploring different coffee shops in Crown Heights. I spend A LOT of time (and money) at Lula Bagel and Manhattanville Coffee, but let me know what you suggest!
