This year, a first grade class at Mamie Martin Elementary Schoolwill function a little differently than it has in the past.

Both Ellie Phillips and Laura Groth will serve as teachers forone class. Phillips will teach language arts the first half of theday and Groth will teach math the latter half.

“I don’t think that anybody has done this in Brookhaven before,”Phillips said. “They do it other places, but this is the first timethey have let us try it.”

The Brookhaven School Board approved the part time employment ofGroth at last night’s meeting.

“For the first time this year, we are going to have two teachersin first grade,” said Brookhaven School District Superintendent LeaBarrett. “It will allow them to stay energized, refreshed and bringa lot of new ideas to the classroom.”

Barrett said that other districts are doing this to try tomaintain good people.

Phillips and Groth have been working all summer to prepare theirfirst grade classroom. Painting walls, installing shelves,arranging books and organizing supplies has consumed a lot of theirtime and money.

“Teachers often buy their own paint and we paid to have shelvesput it,” Groth said.

With children off enjoying summer activities, it gives teachersthe perfect opportunity to tackle larger projects such asorganizing and painting.

“Most of the teachers who are really dedicated spend a lot oftime during the summer getting ready,” Phillips said.

Groth indicated benefits of a nicely decorated classroom.

“The teacher and children spend six hours a day together and youwant to create an environment that is welcoming and intellectuallyand creatively stimulating,” Groth said.

Both Groth’s and Phillips’ love for children is the drivingforce behind their enthusiasm and dedication.

“We want them to be thinkers and instill in them a love forlearning so that they will become lifelong learners,” Grothsaid.