Administrator Spotlight

Dr. Jake Long

Superintendent, Mountain Home School District

Dr. Jake Long says he was led to a profession in education due to his own awesome educational experience. Once he started his career, he says his opportunities for leadership happened at an accelerated pace. "I taught industrial arts and coached for three years, served as a building administrator for two years, served as an assistant superintendent for two years, and I am in my eighth year as superintendent at Mountain Home Public Schools."

Dr. Long describes his favorite part about his job as "seeing the fruits of our labor in students, staff, and the community." The most challenging aspect, he says, is "the increasing academic challenges, period...COVID-19 changed everything. I don’t feel like we have any precedence for any of the battles we have faced on so many different levels: academics, student and staff wellness, teacher recruitment and retention, workforce needs, finance, and politics." Those considering a similar career should know that it's tough work, but he also believes there's never been a more critical time for leaders to step into these roles. "It amazes me what the right people in the right positions can accomplish!”

As far as his future plans, Dr. Long isn’t going anywhere, saying in five years he sees himself as the superintendent of Mountain Home Public Schools. One of his goals is to continue to extend CTE opportunities and "weave them into everything [the district does]," and perhaps one day expanding the 8-12 charter school to a K-12 charter with a workforce development focus. He says, “Our district has been on the state and national radar for decades because of our work with career academies, but I still see a lot of opportunity to really deepen our CTE focus across all grade levels. We’ve gone to a districtwide Pathways model, so we’re headed in the right direction."

? Q&A ! with Dr. Jake Long

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

If I wasn't in education, I would be working in healthcare.

How would your co-workers describe you?

I asked some co-workers to answer this, because I really wasn’t sure. They said they would describe me as focused, motivated, and transparent. One co-worker said that I stand up for what I believe in but I’m not closed off to the idea that other perspectives exist.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Develop and solidify your courage, integrity, and diplomacy skills.

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

I became a superintendent at 31 years old. I am also a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed as a teenager.

What have you done that you are most proud of?

My wife and I have two sons, and we were not supposed to be able to have children. There’s nothing I’m more proud of than my family.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

Spending time with my family on our family farm.

When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

I want people to say, “he was a good Christian man.”

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

Membership in this organization has been a fantastic avenue for forming relationships. Everything we do in this business is about relationships.