Ms. Penn holds a degree in mathematics and has designed software systems for AT&T, the University of Florida and the FDA. She is an award winning author of 17 children's books focused on mathematics. Titles include Square Bear: a fairytale of polygons and Empress Adelaide Dances at 8: a time telling tale. She has co-authored a teachers' guide to mathematics lesson plans introduced through stories, Children's Literature in the K-3 Mathematics Classroom: 50 activities based on the CCSS; A Comprehensive Mathematics Dictionary for Grades K-8. Her poetry appears in Highlights for Children and in several anthologies and her YA novel, The Pelerin of the Orb, won the Communication Award from both the Connecticut Press Club and the National Federation of Press Women in 2013. Ms. Penn presents sessions at state, regional and national NCTM conferences and has chaired sessions on interdisciplinary learning at the annual conference of NCTE.
