Mr. Pennisi teaches ninth grade English, a twelfth grade English elective, and is a ninth grade advisor. Read the Current’s 17 questions with Mr. Pennisi to learn about his interests, experiences, and teaching career. 

Question 1: What three books would you bring on a desert island and why?

Mr. Pennisi: I would bring Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, and The Sportswriter by Richard Ford.

Question 2: What would your fall, winter, and spring sports at Potomac be?

Mr. Pennisi: I know I might look like an athlete, but I’m not. So I would say, in the fall, I might do Speech and Debate, but it would have been totally out of my comfort zone to do it. Then, in the winter, I would say basketball because I’m a basketball coach, and I’ve loved basketball practically my entire life. At my past schools, I have been a coach for many teams. I would choose tennis in the spring because I have played from an early age.

Question 3: What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of being an English teacher?

Mr. Pennisi: My favorite hobbies are reading and writing. I also have three nephews with whom I appreciate spending time. Actually, I moved to Northern Virginia from Maryland to be closer to them. Currently, they are ages 10, 8, and 5. I enjoy spending time with them.

Question 4: What is your favorite genre to read?

Mr. Pennisi: I love reading and usually gravitate towards fiction, although I do read all kinds of stuff. Lately, I have read some fantasy books that I find very interesting, especially with regard to world-building.

Question 5: What is your favorite movie?

Mr. Pennisi: My answer, truthfully: Jurassic Park. I love it because it came out when I was 10 years old, and the computer-generated imagery was so cutting edge for the time. It also inspired me to have an interest in dinosaurs and prehistoric times. 

Question 6: What is your favorite TV show?

My favorite TV show is Survivor and Only Murders in the Building. I was in high school when Survivor came out, and it was essentially the beginning of reality TV, which was cool. I watch it with my sister, and it is a fun thing we can share together.

Question 7: If you had any other job, what would it be?

Mr. Pennisi: If I had any other job, I would be a basketball coach. I love coaching basketball, and I love the sport. Other than that, I would be a writer, starting with short stories and then transitioning to novels. 

Question 8: What is your proudest accomplishment?

Mr. Pennisi: I published a book with a friend in 2019. It is called, Believe, Live, Think: Two Feet In, and it’s about being an elite performer with whatever you do, whether that’s in sports, in your job, or in life.

Question 9: Where did you grow up, and what’s your favorite childhood memory?

Mr. Pennisi: I grew up in southern Maryland, and a favorite memory of mine is living on a farm with my grandparents.

Question 10: Are you more of a dog or a cat person?

Mr. Pennisi: I am much more of a dog person. I love dogs, and I had a dog named Darcy, who passed away when she was 14. I want to get another dog when I have a house with a big yard.

Question 11: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

Mr. Pennisi: I hate flying, so I would probably say teleportation so that I could just snap my fingers and be anywhere I want to be in the world.

Question 12: What is your favorite place to travel?

Mr. Pennisi: I particularly like lots of different cities in Europe. I spent time in my 20s in college studying abroad, particularly in London. I’ve also traveled to Italy, Greece, and France. My favorite city is London. 

Question 13: What is your lucky number?

Mr. Pennisi: My lucky number is 8. My birthday is on 8/8, so that’s a cool coincidence. 

Question 14: Do you play any instruments?

Mr. Pennisi: I play piano; a lot of people don’t know that. I took lessons for ten years in school. I still play every now and then. 

Question 15: Do you have a claim to fame?

Mr. Pennisi: One of the young men I used to coach in basketball is Jahmir Young. He was the point guard at Maryland for the past two seasons and now plays in the NBA G League. 

Question 16: What’s a fun fact of yours?

Mr. Pennisi: My parents are high school sweethearts, which doesn’t happen very often.

Question 17: If you could be any color of the rainbow, what would it be and why?

Mr. Pennisi: If I could be any color of the rainbow, I think I would be indigo. It’s got a cool name, and I like darker colors.