About Me

Artist
Creating helps you see the world more clearly.
Leader
Good leaders help people become the best version of themselves.
Learner
Staying curious keeps you in touch as a teacher and keeps you active as a learner.

 Intertwining the different aspects of my career was much more natural than one might expect. Leadership combines both art and philosophy. It is about seeing people and helping them become the best versions of themselves. Art taught me how to see people. Philosophy taught me to learn about what a best version could mean, and what that could unlock in the world. Teaching helps me assist others in unlocking those realizations.
I accidentally fell into astrology when a friend recommended Anne Ortelee's Weekly Weather to me. He had been listening and found my descriptions of my week were often very aligned to her forecast. While I didn't "believe" it at first, I started to listen, and got hooked.
 I was frustrated with how confusing it could be, and found many of the resources I was creating for myself would be helpful for others.

About Penny


I accidentally discovered I was an artist.
I accidentally fell into teaching.
I accidentally found astrology as a lens for reflection.

Intentionally, I now bring these three things together.

_____________

In high school, my art teacher recommended that I attend a drawing competition she found out about last minute. I was shocked upon arrival that we would be drawing from the nude model. Oh my goodness! I was mortified, and just focused on drawing light, and dark, and trying to not think about drawing (gasp) ALL body parts! My focus on just the gradations and shadows paid off - and I ended up winning the grand prize - a year scholarship to the portfolio program of the school. For the next year, I learned a lot about seeing, about myself, about different mediums, and about pushing myself beyond where I felt comfortable.

Off I went to college - and double majored in art and philosophy. I was pretty sure I would never do anything in education. I loved the smells of oil paint, and the intensity of "existentialist phenomenology". But, bills have to get paid, and I got a few gigs as a visiting artist in the school district near my college, and taught a few art classes.

I never thought I would do anything in education, either. I was from a family of teachers. Though my favorite play-pretend activity growing up was playing school, I didn't see myself locked into a predictable future.

I thought, "Helping people? Sure. I love helping people. I love the light of an a-ha. But doing that all the time? I'm an introvert! Maybe, I'll just try it for two years to get some experience." Eventually, I applied for the NY Teaching Fellows - a peace corps-like program that would plunk you into some of the worst schools of NYC in exchange for some grants, and reimbursement towards a masters' degree. I decided to become a teacher of English as a Second Language in one of the worst schools in Brooklyn. I figured I would do my two years and get out. Seven years later...I was loving it. My career took a few twists and turns, I worked as a consultant, as a leadership coach, as an assistant principal, and finally, principal. 

 "Believing" in astrology isn't required. Like poetry, you can find what you need to know about yourself by noticing which interpretations, symbols and archetypes you connect with. There are more advanced techniques, and a wide variety of skill levels of practitioners. The self reflection aspect is invaluable as you learn to better understand your own motivations.

Drag to resize

number of lifetime students

teaching certifications

Collaborative Approach

Why Odonata?

I had toyed with a few ways to be more participatory as an astrologer - but was held back by fear of perception in my working world. You see, I work in a very conservative school district. So, yes, you won't find a Penny Odonata as a principal online. While the name I am working under for this project isn't "real", the ideas, concepts and images are. I hope you'll forgive me for not being brave enough to unite the two.
Odonata is the scientific name for a dragonfly. When I was little, one of the most frightening nightmares I ever had was that I was flying on the back of a dragonfly. That night, I was scared when I woke up, but it was the first time that I did not run into my parents' bed for help. The dragonfly became my totem, a symbol for being afraid of the feeling of freedom but trying things anyway.
Let's learn together and try new ways to be free - even if it is scary!

Want to hear about new projects?

(Or connect with me to tell you about yours?)

Thank you!
Created with