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Welcome to the Center School Reading Center
Meet Ms. Brown
Welcome! I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the warm and welcoming Center School community, where I get to support young learners on their educational journey every day.
I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Education in Special Education, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Reading. I am EBLI (Evidence Based Literacy Instruction) certified, Orton-Gillingham certified, and a Dyslexia Specialist through the International Dyslexia Association.
My teaching philosophy centers around the belief that every child has the potential to succeed when given the right tools and support. I am dedicated to using evidence-based literacy methods to empower students, fostering a lifelong love of learning and confidence in their abilities.
My career began as a second and third grade classroom teacher at Green Meadows School in Hampden, where I taught for ten years. After taking some time off to raise my children, Jared and Vanessa, I worked as a tutor and tutor coordinator for Learning Styles. When I returned to the classroom, I taught reading at Swift River Elementary School in Belchertown for two years. Since 2013, I have been the Reading Specialist at Center School. I also served as an adjunct professor at American International College, teaching graduate-level reading courses for about seven years.
In addition to my role as a Reading Specialist, I am proud to serve as the Green Club Facilitator. I have a deep passion for helping the environment and fighting climate change through meaningful actions. I believe children are our greatest hope for making positive change in the world, and I strive to inspire them to take care of our planet.
I live in East Longmeadow with my two children, and our dog, Foxy. In my free time, I enjoy fitness activities, book club, craft projects, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Meet Mrs. Longo
I am truly excited to begin another school year with your child! I am beginning my 20th year in education and my 19th year at Center School, a community that has become a second home to me. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and I feel so fortunate to have grown both personally and professionally through the different roles I have held over the years.
I began my teaching career as a Special Education Teacher in Belchertown at Chestnut Hill Community School before moving to Center School. For my first three years here, I worked in Special Education before stepping into the role of a third grade classroom teacher, where I spent eight wonderful years. For the past seven years, I have had the privilege of serving as a Reading Interventionist in the Reading Center, helping students grow as readers and discover the wonder of books.
Each of these experiences has given me new perspectives and helped me grow as an educator. Most importantly, they have shown me just how much joy comes from helping students discover their strengths and grow in confidence.
My teaching philosophy is simple. It’s rooted in the belief that every child deserves to feel valued, challenged, and supported. I strive to teach the whole child, nurturing not only academic skills, but also their social and emotional growth. In the Reading Center, I want students to be inspired, feel safe to take risks, persevere through challenges, and celebrate their process and progress along the way. By building strong relationships with students and families, I believe we can work together to create the best possible learning experience.
I live in East Longmeadow with my husband and our son, Grady. We are an active family who enjoys traveling and exploring! We love to be outdoors and are always looking for our next adventure with family and friends, whether it’s hiking, biking, quadding, or spending time at the lake/river on our boat. We enjoy water sports in the summer and skiing in the winter, and of course I personally treasure every chance I get to read or listen to a good book!
I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and joyful moments with my students. Thank you for trusting me to be a part of their journey.
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