Superintendent Amanda Long
Long finds inspiration as an educator from her late mother
by Renee Fite
City of Stilwell Director of Public Relations and Media
Amanda Long began this school year as the new Peavine Public School Superintendent. Before this position, she was a computer technology and leadership teacher for 12 years at Stilwell Public Schools, and the assistant principal for three years.
With a semester under her belt, Long has been learning about students and staff of all ages and grades as well as more about the back side of administrative leadership.
“I have enjoyed building relationships with new staff and students all while learning the checks and balances required by the state department,” said Long.
This new journey as a Peavine Panther is exciting, she said.
“I’m thankful to the board, staff, and students for the opportunity to be a small part of the Peavine community, which I call home,” said Long.
She appreciates the rich history of Peavine and the small community atmosphere, which have always made Peavine Schools special.
Amanda Long is the new superintendent at Peavine School this year.
photo: Renee Fite
Peavine Superintendent Amanda Long reads to children in Genia Wilder’s 3-year old class.
photo by Renee Fite
“As the new superintendent, I want to work alongside my staff, off of those strengths and help to move our students forward building character and confidence,” said Long.
Her leadership philosophy is servant leadership, focusing on providing the conditions that enable students and teachers to succeed.
“We are hoping to building a school culture of trust through guidance and listening,” Long said.
Peavine is an excellent school with wonderful people.
“We do have a fabulous staff and community here at Peavine School. What makes us most unique is that we are the oldest school in the state of Oklahoma that is still open and teaching students,” she said. “We want to begin to build on that rich history and prove that our students can leave here with the knowledge and tools needed to be successful in their next steps of life.
Improvements and investment in the school includes new staff and equipment.
“We've added several gems to our teaching staff this year like Mrs. Shanda Stephens, Mrs. Jo Lea, and Coach Dan Garringer,” said Long. We have some new playground equipment being installed soon, we’re giving the track a facelift (which was one of the first asphalt tracks in the county), and many more things in the future including a maker space lab where students can work hands on in STEM projects like robotics, science labs, virtual reality.”
Safety is at the forefront, and they’re looking to add security cameras, an upgraded intercom system, a new bathroom for the cafeteria, additional STEM projects, adding some sports back to their roster, and hopefully more students and staff.
This year they participated in 4-H events in September, moved the Fall Carnival in October back as an evening event, held a Veteran's Day program in November, and a Christmas program in December.
The superintendent is very encouraged about the future of her Peavine Panthers.
“We are going to thrive off of that here at Peavine, being able to give students at different levels, more time individually to help them to push forward academically and athletically,” she said.
While there have been rumors for decades about consolidating rural schools, Long said rural schools are still essential in Adair county.
“I don’t disagree with rural schools all being under the same educational
umbrella to better equip students for high school, but being able to maintain small class sizes and more one on one instruction is such a benefit to students as well,” Long said.
Her roots also grow deep in Adair County.
“I am the proud daughter of Mike and the late Debi Wininger,” she said.
She has been married to Hank Long for almost 22 years.
“We have three amazing sons, Cayden, Conner, and Bentley. These people are my world and I am blessed to call them mine,” she said.
Her mom was always her biggest cheerleader and inspiration.
“My mom was definitely my biggest inspiration to become an educator although she encouraged me to be anything but a teacher. She always told me they were overworked and underpaid. As an adult, I now see that education is a calling and it's what I've been called to do,” Long said.
“I love being able to encourage and motivate others to reach their full potential just as my mother did for me.”
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City of Stilwell, Oklahoma
Address: 20 S. 1st St., Stilwell, OK 74960
Phone:
918-696-7143
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