Jeanne Long
Board of Education

Illuminate, Facilitate, Communicate – to Educate 

When I moved to Suffield in 1979, my children were entering fifth grade, third grade, kindergarten, and preschool. We moved from top-rated school districts on Long Island. As a former teacher and educational writer/editor, now a stay-at-home Mom, I was very aware of what difference a good school district can make in a child’s life. We chose Suffield because of its highly rated school system. It was a good choice. Over the next dozen years, my children attended Suffield schools and received excellent educations. 

Meanwhile, I participated in the PTOs. I worked in Anisa kindergarten classrooms. I served as a committee chair on the West Suffield School commission charged by the Selectmen with determining whether that school should be closed. I created newsletters for community organizations, such as for the Cooperative Preschool and for Sidney Dupont, a former Superintendent of Schools. 

Once the children were in school all day, I became a Literacy Volunteer of America tutor and tutor-trainer, for both English as a Second Language and for Reading. I was elected to the Kent Memorial Library Board, and served as president. 

When my kids’ college years arrived, I returned to work at the University of Hartford, first in Human Resources and then as a writer and editor in University Affairs. I also began studies for my master’s degree in communications. Since then, my four children have collectively earned eight degrees, a clear result of the Suffield schools and the teachers who brought them so far. And I finally finished my master’s, too, in 2002. 

Suffield hasn’t changed much in the 25 years since I moved to town. It still maintains its rural character, and is a good place to raise kids. It still gives Suffield children excellent educations. With my kids grown and gone, I once again have the time to give something back to Suffield schools. 

I have the energy, the enthusiasm, the patience, and the background to help illuminate the issues that face our schools, communicate to parents and staff and taxpayers what they need to know, and facilitate solving the challenges that will arise during my tenure on the Board of Education. 

Education is the key to Democracy. As an American, you need to read books that explain our system of government and the challenges facing it. You need to know how to write a letter to an editor expressing your point of view. You need to learn the science and the math and the languages, and develop the reasoning abilities you will need, to lead an intelligent and rewarding life.