Staff Spotlight: Amy Pennell-Davis, GCHS

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Amy Pennell-Davis. 

Pennell-Davis is a fine arts teacher and speech and debate coach at Granite City High School. She has been working at GCHS for five years.

Where did you go to school and what degrees do you have?
I attended Saint Louis University, where I majored in theater and communications.

What is being an actor like?
The joy of acting comes from being a storyteller on stage and screen. It’s a gift to create and develop a character, collaborate with other artists, and impact an audience. Auditions, memorization, and improvisation are all part of the craft. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of my favorite actors throughout my career. 

The training I received at GCHS, as a speech and theater student, and in community theater opened the doors for me to study theater in college and eventually move to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally.

How do you help students build confidence?
The number-one rule in my class is kindness. We establish a safe place where students can be creative, take risks, and be vulnerable. I expect my students to believe in themselves because I believe in them. We work together as a class to ensure every student succeeds.

Hobbies?
I love going to restaurants—especially when I can eat outside. I enjoy acting, singing, and dancing. My favorite moments are spent with friends and family watching movies and TV shows, attending live performances, and laughing together. Performing, directing, and coaching actors is my passion.

Favorite memory from high school?
As a student at GCHS, attending the Illinois Theater Festival was one of my favorite memories. Getting to share those same experiences with my own students has been a highlight of my time here.

What advice would you give students who want to act after high school?
Do it! Get into class, audition, take workshops, start writing, find an agent, and don’t give up.

Who or what inspires you most?
Good people inspire me. Diversity, acceptance, and inclusion inspire me. Artists collaborating inspires me.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net