Pinkowski Files

Jacqueline Droleski
Jacqueline Droleski (Zdrojewska) was born in Elmira, New York, the daughter of Karolina (Pastuzak) and the late John J. Droleski. She was brought up in a traditional Polish family in Elmira.
Jackie received her BS and MS degrees in Education from Elmira College in Elmira (NY). After teaching for 35 years in the Wellsboro (PA) School District, Jackie retired in 2008. During her teaching career, she developed and taught many Polish traditions and songs to the children. One of the best lesson plans was that for Maria Sklodowska Curie. Students loved hearing about Maria's life and accomplishments and wrote beautiful stories about her for their projects.
In 1973 Jackie worked with Ray Winieski (founder) and Jacob Dvornicky to develop a Polish Arts Club in Elmira, NY. The Arts Club held an evening Polish language class at St Casimir's School, held an annual Polonaise Bali, participated in the International Festivals in Chemung County, went on bus trips and held monthly meetings to encourage members to appreciate their Polish heritage. The club is still going strong with many new members and activities. For the past ten years Jackie has helped Dr. Maria Winnicka with the Polish Saturday School held at the White Eagles Club in Elmira, NY. Jackie has served as Vice President and Treasurer and is currently the Secretary of the Arts Club.
Richard and Marilyn Kozacko encouraged Jackie to attend her first ACPC Convention in Philadelphia (PA) in 1989 and she was captivated with the organization and their work. Upon returning home from this convention, Jackie started a fund raising campaign for the newly purchased Center in Washington, DC. The Elmira club raised a substantial amount of money for a number of years for this cause. In 1993 at the ACPC Convention in Syracuse (NY) she was elected to the ACPC Board of Directors. Jackie currently serves as Awards Committee Secretary for ACPC.
Jackie is involved in many community and professional projects including the AARP Chapter 276 in Elmira Heights (NY) where she is currently their chairman of the Finance Committee and Chairman of the Nomination Committee. She is much involved in the Mark Twain Teachers' Institute at Elmira College along with attending the Mark Twain International Institute that is held every four years. Jackie is a life member of AAUW (American Association of University Women) and is past president of the Mansfieid (PA) Chapter and is currently a member of the Elmira-Corning AAUW Chapter.
Her future plans include staying involved in ACPC and keeping Polish culture and traditions alive and moving for- ward with activities that will enrich and entice more people to join affiliates of ACPC. "Even though my work with the ACPC has a times been challenging, it has always had its own very special rewards".
From: Resume (2010)