Principal's Bio

As Rockwell Elementary School opens its doors to students this August, Robbie Owen will begin his twenty-third year as an elementary principal and his fifteenth year at Rockwell.  Rockwell Elementary School opened in 1997 with approximately 400 students.  750 students are expected to enroll as the school begins.  Owen has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology and and a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education - both from Mobile College (presently The University of Mobile), a Masters of Elementary Education Degree and a Masters in Educational Leadership Degree - both from The University of South Alabama, and an Educational Specialist Degree from The University of South Alabama.  He has served as the President of the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators and Alabama's representative to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).  Owen has worked to ensure that arts education maintains a strong emphasis in elementary education.  Both at Rockwell Elementary and previous schools where he has served as principal, the Discipline Based Arts Education model has been implemented.  In 2003, Rockwell Elementary School was selected as a CLAS Banner School for its success with arts education.  Owen's philosophy is for the school to maintain a strong balance.  In addition to the arts program, the school's test scores are currently among the best in its school system. The Physical Education Department offers a wide variety of opportunities for students while the Technology Department offers students with the most up to date programs available to elementary children. Rockwell students have been recognized as district and state level Technology Fair winners. According to Owen, "It is our goal to offer every child an area where he or she can find success.  This can only be done when everyone involved strives to achieves excellence."