Principal Hunt

Welcome to the Long family, community, and school. Where everyone that enters hears "You Belong at Long!" I am Benicia Nanez-Hunt, and  I am THRILLED to lead this wonderful building of both students and staff, who have committed to embracing our uniqueness and diversity. Upon entering Long in July 2018, I was not sure what to expect, but I knew that the team and I would build upon the foundation laid and work towards goals set and sucess for students. While new to Long in 2018, I am no stranger to SLPS or education. Before taking the positon of principal at Long International Middle School, I was the Assistant Principal for 3 years at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. Prior to joining SLPS, I spent 12 years with Jennings School District; beginning as an Englisht teacher and rising through the ranks of leadership as English Department Chair, Humanities Department Chair, Data Team Lead, Professional Development Leader, and Assistant Principal & Instructional Coach. My skills in collaboration, college readiness, technology innovation, and systems thinking has assisted me in creating models for discipline, data-driven instruction, and schoolwide community and culture. At Long, we have taken steps in improve the culture by implementing CORE VALUES, leveled instruction, the schoolwide Reading Initiative, and the Tiger Shack for Attendance and Behavior Incentives. As we move into the 2019-2020 school year, we will be introducing students to more technology, two new courses in Computer Science and App Makers, and building upon our literacy program as a Project Lit school. 

I attended Univeristy of Missouri-Columbia and graduated from University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts (English), Bachelor of Science (Secondary Education), and a Masters of Arts (English). As a post-graduate, I attended Lindenwood University where I received my Educational Specialist certification. In the fall, I will begin m courses towards my Educational Doctorate Degree. Outside of school, I have four children: Anthony (21) attends Morehouse, Amaia (18) attends Xavier Univerity of Louisiana, Akila (16) attends Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience, and Nina (4) will be attending Mallinckrodt beginning August 2019. I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids, reading, cleaning the house, cooking for the family, and learning new languages. We also have two dogs: Chico and Biggie Smalls. 

I look forward to an even more successful year at Long. Feel free to stop in and visit; and remember, YOU BELONG AT LONG!