Mill Creek selects Kevin Long as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
MADISON – Sometimes, when one door closes, another door actually does open. Just ask Kevin Long, who is “Staff Member of the Year” at Mill Creek Elementary School. Long, who is a musician, has both taught and performed in years past. He taught music at Shenandoah Elementary School in Miami, Fla.; Lake Trafford Elementary School in Immokalee, Fla.; and Immokalee High School.
In addition, Long served as Minister of Music at various churches in Miami; Naples, Fla.; and Huntsville and its surrounding area. “I served as Dean and the Principal Piano Instructor for Allegro Music Academy in Huntsville,” Long said.
However, that proverbial door did close when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his responsibilities with the music studio. “In 2021, I applied to be a substitute teacher at Mill Creek,” Long said. “A year or two later, the ISS (in-school suspension) position became available.”
“I applied for that position, and I’m currently filling that role,” Long said. Fortunately, that ‘other door’ did open for Long to take the position at Mill Creek.
“I have only worked at one school in Madison, which is the great Mill Creek Elementary,” he said.
Long maintains a work philosophy that strives to bring out the best and highest qualities in self. “Compassion, courtesy, understanding and other excellent qualities that we are born with . . . I adhere to rules with compassion, understanding and fairness,” he said.
In one specific scenario, Long succeeded in connecting with students. He worked to serve as an example to them and help them feel valued and wanted . . . a sense of belonging. “I hope that I am successful in that aspiration,” he said.
“My hometown is Miami, Florida, the Sunshine State. I attended Oakwood College, now Oakwood University,” Long said. He received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Thomas Edison University.
His spouse, Laurel Camille McMillan Long, works as Chief Human Resources Officer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The Longs have one daughter, who graduated from Sparkman High School.
“One interesting fact . . . I want to drive an 18-wheeler. Just once,” he said laughing. Long’s hobbies include travel, swimming, volleyball…and more travel.
