As an elementary school teacher and district specialist in the Alpine School District for 15 years, Rachelle Bolingbroke knows her way around a classroom.

She has taught all elementary grades from kindergarten to sixth grade, including stints at Cherry Hill and Valley View elementary schools; and she worked in the district as a literacy specialist, math coordinator and teacher on special assignment. In 2006, Bolingbroke was a recipient of the Alpine School District Foundation's Accent on Excellence Award for her work at Highland Elementary, according to the district's Web site.

But beginning this summer, the Los Angeles native has a new role to add to her long list of educational jobs and titles as the new principal at Orem Elementary School, the Home of the Cubs. Bolingbroke (pronounced "bowling-brook") succeeds Brad Davies, who moved on to fill a principal vacancy at Aspen Elementary across town.

She's been working with Davies, faculty and staff at Orem Elementary since the end of May to achieve a smooth transition to her leadership.

"I've heard wonderful things about Orem Elementary. The parents are fabulous, the students are excited, and the teachers and staff are amazing ... ," Bolingbroke said. "The PTA is very active, which is wonderful."

John Patten, the district's administrator of schools K-6 South and formerly a principal at Suncrest Elementary, said that from her wealth of teaching experience to her clear grasp of what elementary students need to know and do at each grade level, Bolingbroke is a great fit for Orem Elementary.

"She will be able to connect with teachers, and parents will absolutely love her," Patten said. "She has a great vision for a what a vibrant school should look like, she's a child advocate, and she loves kids."

Few new programs, approaches or changes will be made, as she plans to spend the first year observing how the school operates and learning from teachers, staff and parents. Bolingbroke said the school's theme for the 2009-2010 academic year will be "I Can Tell We're Going to Be Friends."

"You just take it one day at a time," she said.

For the school year that begins on Aug. 20, Bolingbroke said Orem Elementary's enrollment will be about 650 students, with two new teachers and one faculty member switching to a different grade.

The school's open house for students and parents will be on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m.

Bolingbroke earned an associate degree from Utah Valley University, a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southern Utah University, and a master's degree in educational administration from Brigham Young University.

Though born and raised in southern California, she said she came to Utah "to attend college, and stayed." Since then most of her family has relocated to the Beehive State, where she plays a favorite aunt to her siblings' children.

"I got to teach my niece in kindergarten," she said. "I love Utah Valley."

Her favorite activities are spending time with her family, reading, enjoying the outdoors and cycling. She owns two miniature dogs.