Welcome to Ms. Long's First Grade Learners

 Please meet Ms. Long

My name is Jennifer Long, and I am the first grade teacher and District Reading Coach at Topock Elementary.  I was raised in the rural Southern California town of Romoland.  I am the youngest of two children.  My brother is three and a half years older than I.  Family is a very important part of my life, and has played a vital role in helping me have a passion for the field of education and helping others.  My father was a school board member for twelve years and also served as board president.  My mother stayed at home until I was in middle school and then became a teacher’s aide which she still does today.  Throughout my childhood, I saw education as a positive way to help and give back to the community in which I live. 

In high school, I was very active in sports and student council.  In student council I was school treasure, and commissioner of activities. I was a four year varsity swimmer and captain of the varsity girls swim team for two years.  I also began working for Riverside County Office of Education when I was a junior in high school and I have been in the education field ever since.  After high school, I attended the University of Redlands and received my Bachelors degree while working as a teacher’s aide.  Next, I received my teaching credential and masters degree from Azusa Pacific University. 

My first teaching assignment was a fifth/sixth grade combo class in 1999 at San Jacinto Valley Academy.  I then moved to the San Jacinto Unified School district and taught there for four years.  I taught first grade, a first/second combination class, second grade, and a second/third combination class.  While working in California I had a weekend home in Topock for several years.  I remember joking that someday I would teach at that little blue school. 

Low and behold several years later I made the venture to move to Arizona.  I became part of the Topock Elementary family in March of 2003.  It has been a treat to have been fortunate to teach the first grade since moving here and have been the reading coordinator for three years.  Since moving to Arizona I have began presenting nationally at reading conferences where I share classroom ideas and tips with other teachers.  Another endeavor that I enjoyed was working for an educational company where I travel the nation training teachers on best practices and doing extreme makeovers of their classrooms.  I enjoy these programs because the end results are beneficial for both the teachers as well as their students.  Currently, I am working on getting my National Certification which is the highest symbol of professional teaching excellence and look forward to reaching this goal. 

In life I like to enjoy the simple things.  I enjoy reading, cooking, spiritual time, candle light, and basking in the outdoors with my dog, Chester.  Life is a precious gift and I try to cherish each moment.  Teaching brings me such joy, and I am very fortunate to have a career that I truly enjoy.  I get to go to work each day and see my wonderful students.  I can have a horrible morning, but when I see my students they lift that cloud and our day begins.  I have always made education important in of my life and will always continue to learn so that I can be the best teacher for my students. 

Throughout my life, education has always been an important part of who I am.  I see teaching as a positive way to help and give back to the community in which I live.  I am proud to say that I am a teacher!  I grew up in a small town and that was home.  Now, I feel as if I’m home here, once again, in another small town called Topock. 

Welcome to our First Grade Learners Site.         

Learning is FUN!!!

Our Reading Buddy Chester