Dr. Andra Penny stands at the front of a classroom speaking with a small group of high school students seated around tables. Students listen and participate in discussion while using notebooks, tablets, and writing materials. Large international and regional flags hang on the wall behind the group, alongside portrait artwork and classroom displays.

Students in Jared Stansel's IB Psychology class at Coppell High School recently got a surprise substitute when Cottonwood Creek Elementary Principal Dr. Andra Penny stepped into the classroom to fill in for her son-in-law. Bringing her experience as an elementary school leader and university-level instructor, Dr. Penny took high school students back to the fun, engaging style of learning they may remember from their elementary years. Through interactive lessons and rewarding classroom experiences, she showed that meaningful learning can happen at any age. Stepping outside her usual role leading young learners at nearby Cottonwood Creek, Dr. Penny brought a fresh perspective, plenty of energy and a little elementary school magic to the high school classroom, creating a memorable day of learning for students in Mr. Stansel's class.