Perry Hall High School senior Emily Behnke cut through a crowd of newly minted teachers Thursday afternoon. Days before the start of the school year, she felt the usual roles reversed.

"They're a lot like ninth-graders. They're a little discombobulated," said Behnke, one of several students on call to assist during Baltimore County Public School's annual New Teacher Orientation.

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The three-day event—complete with workshops, conferences and lunches—brought between 600 and 700 K-12 teachers to the school.

One of them was Claudia Grace, who plans to teach two Spanish classes at Perry Hall High this fall.

Grace taught in the Hereford area before leaving the profession for several years to raise her family. Spanish, she said, is her first language and she has traveled between Spain, Mexico and Puerto Rico. 

"I'm just excited to make language interesting and engaging for the students. I want them to think more globally and recognize the benefits of being bilingual— culturally, financially and in travel," she said. 

Orientation has helped her find ways to incorporate new tools in the classroom. "I look at how it's changed, evolved over time. We use a lot more technology now," she said.

Principal George Roberts said he was honored the county showcased the school through orientation.

Roberts' advice to new teachers: "Plan, plan, plan—it's the heart and soul of good instruction. Get your rooms set up and get a good start on the new year."

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