Lore Long with daughter Micah. |
Lore Long of Celina has completed ten weeks of student teaching and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, Pre-K through third grade, from the Lake Campus of Wright State University. She did her student teaching in grade two at Celina East Elementary School under the observation of cooperating teacher Deb Lehman and university supervisor Ken Taylor.
Long, a 1991 graduate of Celina Senior High School, decided to return to school to become a teacher as a result of a couple of experiences she had while serving with the United States Air Force. While overseas, she was in some countries where children were not allowed to attend school, and she also visited some remote locations where there were no children. “I decided to never return to a location where I couldn’t hear the laughter of children. I decided to come home and teach.”
Long was on active duty in the Air Force for 4-1/2 years. She was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, Langley in Virginia, and Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia. “I also spent some time in the countries of Germany, England, Kuwait, Oman, and United Arab Emirates.” Lore left active duty to come home and complete her education degree. She now serves as a member of the Ohio Air National Guard, a part time affiliation with the Air Force, and “They pay for my schooling.”
“I want to teach because I love children, and I want to make a difference in their lives. I love working with children of all ages,” says Long who already has experience in working with high schoolers since she has coached track and cross country at Celina Middle and High Schools for the past few years. Next fall will be Lore’s fourth year as head coach of the Celina high school cross country team, and she has also served as head track coach at Celina middle school.
“Working with children is the most “fun” occupation in the world. I love to see eager, young smiles walking into the classroom each morning,” says Long who has been working with the Lake Campus Reading Center since its inception and plans her second year as a Camp Read instructor at the Lake Campus.
She is married to husband Adam who was also on active duty in the Air Force and now is with the National Guard. Adam is also a full-time firefighter and paramedic for Celina. The couple has a 10-year-old daughter, Micah. “I spend as much time as possible with my family. They are my hobby and favorite pastime.”
Long’s plan now that she has graduated is simply “to get a job teaching, my chosen profession.”
