SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Although Spanish Fort Elementary School classes have barely been in session one month, when Leah Rockwell says, “Eyes up,” she is met with an obedient chorus of “Lips zipped.”

Rockwell, a recent Auburn graduate pursuing her master’s degree in early-childhood education from the University of South Alabama, said behavior-management techniques she learned in school are just one component of her first-grade teaching style.

To prepare for real-world teaching, Rockwell babysat a first-grader to get a feel for the age group and habits.

“I wanted to observe how they act, but it’s totally different in a classroom,” said Rockwell, who talked to other teachers about how to best set up a classroom and what to expect.

Editor’s Note: New jobs often bring challenges, but in educational settings they can also present opportunities for new arrivals to infuse schools with fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.

This is the fourth in an ongoing series designed to introduce readers to some new faces in the Spanish Fort feeder pattern.

See the rest of this story in the Sept. 10 Spanish Fort Sun, available at the Daphne Bulletin-Spanish Fort Sun office, 1805 Main St., Daphne.