From the battlefield to the classroom, a Knox County principal returned from Afghanistan this summer to take the helm back at Rocky Hill Elementary School.

Cory Smith says his experience overseas has prepared him for eight hours a day with hundreds of energetic children.

Smith was called to active duty last May and returned home this Mother's Day.

Prior to that, he was the principal at Rocky Hill since 2006. He had to take a year off of work and family to serve our country in Afghanistan.