Andra J. Penny, Ph.D.

Cottonwood Creek Elementary School
Coppell ISD
Coppell, Texas
apenny@coppellisd.com

Andra Penny has the distinction of serving as the first and only principal of Cottonwood Creek Elementary School (CCE) since the school’s establishment 30 years ago. This longevity has allowed Penny to establish CCE as a model school with innovative programs emphasizing student leadership, enrichment, health, and well-being. The school’s weekly “Genius Hour” has allowed 15 generations of K-5 students to engage in a variety of guest-led learning activities aimed at sparking passion, stimulating collaboration, and cultivating self-directed learning. Hundreds of educators have observed and replicated the program in their own schools. Driven by her conviction that health and well-being are essential prerequisites of learning, Penny has established a variety of initiatives to cultivate healthy habits, including “Walk to School Wednesdays” and a year-round fruit and vegetable garden planted and harvested by students, earning CCE frequent distinction as a Dallas-Fort Worth Healthy Zone School. Penny is also a champion of student leadership and has long maintained monthly cross-grade level mentorship and learning programs, including an active student council with representatives in all grades K-5 and an in-house television studio, the Cottonwood Creek News Network. A passionate mentor, Penny is a former president of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and has taught as an adjunct professor at Columbia University and the University of North Texas, where she earned her Ph.D., M.Ed., and B.S. degrees.