ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – Students in Etowah County returned to school on Thursday, August 8. Children at Mitchell Elementary School arrived in new clothes, new shoes and with a big smile on their faces.

“We are very excited to start a new school year here at Mitchell. Our teachers and staff have worked really hard to create a happy learning environment,” said Principal Leanne Reed.

Principal Reed says she is ready for another school year and for her teachers to be introduced to a new group of students

“They always do a good job of going there, getting to know their students, socializing and building relationships with the families,” said Principal Reed.

After 25 years as an educator, fifth-grade teacher Carol Gaskin says she always looks forward to the first day when she sets the tone for her students’ learning throughout the year.

“I’ve always tried to get kids excited about school, but you have to do it differently because kids are so tech-savvy and social media-savvy that they like things that keep them engaged. And maybe things need to move a little faster and more rapidly than they used to,” says Gaskin.

Carol Gaskin says she needs to learn to teach her students in a way that matches their learning progress and to build better relationships with her students.

“I have to learn these things, every day something changes. When a child speaks to something, we have to examine it and find out what makes them happy and what motivates them so that they want to build a relationship with us as teachers and learn from us,” Gaskin said.

Principal Reed says they are looking forward to a great school year.

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