![Gina Longo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1689767496/suffieldacademyorg/bail8zpc4wt230gqsjrg/20230719_FacultyFridayLongoHP.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1689767496/suffieldacademyorg/bail8zpc4wt230gqsjrg/20230719_FacultyFridayLongoHP.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1689767496/suffieldacademyorg/bail8zpc4wt230gqsjrg/20230719_FacultyFridayLongoHP.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1689767496/suffieldacademyorg/bail8zpc4wt230gqsjrg/20230719_FacultyFridayLongoHP.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1689767496/suffieldacademyorg/bail8zpc4wt230gqsjrg/20230719_FacultyFridayLongoHP.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1689767496/suffieldacademyorg/bail8zpc4wt230gqsjrg/20230719_FacultyFridayLongoHP.jpg","width":2200}])
Gina joined Suffield Academy in 2016 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and was appointed to Suffield’s Leadership Program in 2018. She is a native of South Plainfield, New Jersey and holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Springfield College and a Master of Science in Leadership from Northeastern University. At Springfield, she was president of the Athletic Training Club and stays connected to the school as an accredited clinical instructor, supervising current athletic training students while they work with Suffield student-athletes.
Gina is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist who helps educate students on strength training and nutrition. She has always held a passion for service and in 2016 traveled throughout Costa Rica providing medical services to multiple communities. Gina lives on campus with her kitten, Luna, and is a dorm parent.
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Where were you born?
South Plainfield, New Jersey
What do you love about where you are from?
The bagels.
What do you love about where you live now?
I love living in a small town. I love all the events that take place here like the live music and outdoor movies. I especially love going to the local farms for flowers and berry picking.
What is your favorite thing about day-to-day life at Suffield Academy?
I love being able to interact with our students in all different areas of school life. My favorite part of my day is the half hour after school ends, before the training room gets busy, when students drop by my training room office just to talk.
Who is your favorite artist?
I love Morgan Wallen, but really any country artist.
Which of your roles at Suffield Academy do you relish the most?
While I love every role that I have on campus, being an Athletic Trainer is my favorite. I love being there for our students, helping them through injuries and just being there for any problems they may have.
What is something your Suffield Academy family might not know about you?
Most of my students know I went to Springfield College but many of them don’t know that I actually did a clinical rotation as a student Athletic Trainer (similar to an internship) here during my senior year of college. This experience helped me realize my interest in working with students in a boarding school setting. I absolutely loved it! I got a call from Sue Rafferty that summer (summer of 2016), offering me a job and I have been here ever since!
What is your favorite book?
It would be challenging for me to pick a favorite, but I am currently reading Happy Place by Emily Henry.
What is the one word that you live by?
Kindness.
What is something you believe one can never over-invest in?
Time with family. Family is the most important thing to me.
What is your favorite hobby?
I really enjoy CrossFit. I did gymnastics most of my life and I love that CrossFit brings gymnastics back into my life a little bit and adds a competitive aspect to fitness.
What advice would you give a new teacher at Suffield Academy?
Ask for help! The busyness of day-to-day life at Suffield can be overwhelming at times but there are always people around and willing to help you.
What is/are your prized possession(s)?
If pets count as prized possessions, I would have to say Luna, my cat!
If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who would you dine with?
My grandma. She passed away a few years ago and I would love to see and talk to her again.
Who is your role model/inspiration?
Probably my godmother. She has always had such a positive outlook on life with a drive and motivation to do well at whatever she sets her mind to. I have always looked up to her.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would really like to travel more this year but on my bucket list right now is Banff National Park in Canada.
What is your favorite food?
More of a meal, but my mom’s chicken cutlets with mashed potatoes.
What has been the most interesting thing you have learned from a student?
I have learned so much from our students. They teach me about different cultures and life experiences; it is always so interesting to hear their stories.