About Us

Shlomit is a writer, photographer and cook. Her interest in language and international culture stems from her roots as a U.S. citizen born abroad, and from her love of the power of description in story telling. Between 2014 and 2017, she attended College of the Atlantic, earning a BA in Human Ecology. As a nontraditional student, Shlomit revived her skills as a beginning French speaker and reveled in a community in which 25 percent of students come from outside the U.S. She has lived in Midcoast Maine since 1988 and chairs the Penobscot Language School's Program Committee.

Amanda is an Architect and co-owner (with her husband, Bryan Austin) of 2A Architects in Rockport. Born in Michigan, she received her Bachelor’s degree at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. Following her degree and the start of her professional career in Michigan, she continued her professional experience in the Seattle region and also received her Master of Architecture degree with a focus in Historic Preservation at University of Washington. She and Bryan enjoyed eight years of life in the beautiful Seattle region prior to finally pursuing their long-held dream of a life in Maine in 2009. Outside of her professional pursuits, Amanda’s main passions in life are cultural and creative – the enjoyment of music, art, crafting, food, and travel. With cultural understanding and enjoyment as its focus, she is proud to serve on the Penobscot Language School board. Amanda and Bryan live in Rockport, enjoying all the Midcoast has to offer with their Golden Retriever, Watson.

Penny has a long history of international and intercultural exchange. As a senior in high school her family hosted an exchange student, a young lady from Tehran, Iran, when little was known geographically or culturally of that country. Years later, Penny and her teenage daughter hosted exchange students from northern Lebanon and Brazil. She continues to be in contact with these
"family" members

Penny adopted her daughter from Ecuador and, to assure that her daughter would know the language and culture of her origins, they later moved to live in Ecuador for 18 months. Upon returning and moving to Rockport, Maine, Penny and her daughter began hosting Penobscot School English Immersion students. They have since hosted over 20 adult students from Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Japan, Mongolia, Mali, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Russia, and Mexico.

In her own appreciation for international connections, Penny initiated and implemented a ten-day service trip for twenty Camden Hills High School students. The group formed lasting international relationships and contributed efforts in building Ecuador’s first high school in the rainforest. She reconnected with several of the Ecuadorean English Immersion students who welcomed and generously shared their hospitality with the student group.

Penny has traveled to England, Scotland, Europe, Mexico, Ecuador and Thailand for both business and pleasure. An active member of her local Rotary Youth Exchange Committee, she has counseled incoming and outgoing students, and local host families. Penny continues to support education and entrepreneurial development in Ecuador through the Yachana Foundation.
Penny is grateful for the opportunities to connect with people and cultures of the world through the many offerings of Penobscot School. She has served on the school’s board for several years.

• Email Penny Dunning

Promoting positive Community and a healthy way of living.

Leslie retired from a long career as an engineer and a Manager for a lighting company.  She has always had a passion for helping people to improve their lives and has a deep sense of responsibility towards all living beings and the environment.   She is passionate about food and has taught several cooking classes.  Her love for hot yoga has led her to become a trained yoga instructor.  She has a strong belief that if you can form a good relationship with your anxiety and problems in your life, you can lead a very happy and healthy life.  She is a member of the Camden Rotary, a board member and member of the development committee of the Camden Conference and serves on the Education Committee of the Farnsworth.

After a 35 year career in the Printing and Packaging industry, which afforded him the opportunity to travel globally as a business development manager, Pat joined his wife Nancy’s business in 2009 as Director of Marketing. FIORE Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars, allows Pat and Nancy the opportunity to embrace the people and cultures of Northern and Southern hemisphere producers of extra virgin olive oils as well as producers of balsamic vinegars located in Modena, Italy.  Pat has been a student of Italian at PLS for the past 8 years affording him the opportunity to communicate with his Italian suppliers in person, via email and in frequent live conversation. Pat is Chair of the Marketing Committee for the school.

Dana Strout has been a long time student and board member at the Penobscot School, as well as serving as its President for several years.  He is on his third tour of being a board member and is committed to helping the school.  He speaks French, Italian and Spanish, all of which he learned at the school over the past twenty years.  He practices law locally when not involved with school activities.