Greetings, PHMS community! I am very excited to serve as your principal at Pine Hollow MS.  As some of you may already know, I am a native North Carolinian, having lived in the Raleigh/Wake Forest area my entire life. Furthermore, as I often share, I am a proud K-12 product of the Wake County Public School System. I completed my undergraduate degree in English & Secondary Education at NC State University and began my career as a high school English teacher. While teaching, I returned to NC State to earn a Master’s degree in curriculum & instruction. After a little more time in the classroom, I decided to pursue school administration, which took me to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I earned my Master of School Administration. Shortly thereafter, I became an assistant principal within WCPSS, serving in one of the largest high schools in the state at the time and even opening a brand new comprehensive high school in 2019. While doing this, I also pursued my doctoral degree, which I proudly completed in December 2021 from Vanderbilt University. I then transitioned to a senior administrator position within central services where I had the privilege of supporting schools, teachers, and leaders across Wake County with various needs relating to professional learning, PLCs, and so much more. Then—and perhaps most exciting—in June 2023, I was officially appointed the next principal of Pine Hollow Middle School! 

I am excited about being a part of the Pine Hollow family.  I am a native of South Carolina and this is my 20th year in education. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Shaw University (Go Bears!), a teaching license in special education from East Carolina University and a Masters of School Administration from Gardner Webb University. I have taught middle and high school in the areas of special education in Johnston and Wake County and I was previously an adjunct professor for the University of Phoenix, teaching critical thinking courses. I also worked in Human Resources (HR) for Wake County supporting teachers, mentors and mentor coordinators.  I’m looking forward to a great school year working with the 8th grade students. 

I'm excited to start another year here with the Pine Hollow Middle School community. I am in my 25th year as an educator and have experience both as a classroom teacher and administrator.  I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Secondary Education from Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. I received both my Master’s degree in Biology and 6th year degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University, and obtained my Doctorate degree in Instructional Leadership from Western CT State University. I started my career teaching middle school science in Connecticut for 10 years before moving to the high school level as a science department chair for 2 years. After 3 years as a high school assistant principal, I moved on to a middle school Principal position, where I served for 6 years.  Our family then made the decision to move south in November 2021.  I accepted a teaching position at West Lake Middle School during the transition of my family to NC. Shortly thereafter, I joined PHMS as the 6th grade assistant principal in May 2022. I enjoy the beach, restaurants, running, coaching travel baseball, techno music, Star Wars, and traveling often to CT to spend time with my family.  I was a full-scholarship track athlete in college. I ran 44 marathons in 3 years starting in 2016 to raise awareness of pregnancy and infant loss in an effort to support others during grieving and help build resilience. Those who know me, know that I tweet… a lot!  Twitter (X) @DrChrisLongo.  I reside in Holly Springs with my wife, 3 boys, and our dog Gracie.  I come from a large Italian family, so I love to eat. I’m a die-hard Red Sox fan.  

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”   - Albert Einstein 

I am very passionate about the work I do with children and I take the charge of improving the quality of education to heart.  Not only am I passionate about student learning and success, but I feel proud to say that as I learn the talents of our teachers here PHMS, they share the same passion and excitement as evidenced by their daily commitment to our children. I hold a Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Elementary Education and Special Education concentrated in the area of Severe Emotional Disturbance.  As a North Carolina Principal Fellow, I received my Master's degree from NC A&T State University, where I graduated with an overall GPA of 4.0.  While there, I was also awarded the Edward B. Fort Leadership Award as an aspiring leader.  I was one of two recipients out of a class of twenty students.  I started my career as a special education teacher in Ann Arbor, Mi.  I moved to North Carolina in 2006 and spent time working in Lexington, Durham, Guilford, and Harnett County schools in positions ranging from teacher, beginning teacher coordinator, to EC and Curriculum Facilitator, and the last few years have been spent as an assistant principal.  I have a wonderful husband and two sons who keep me busy.  I enjoy spending quality time with family, taking mini vacations to new places, and dancing.  I’m looking forward to a great school year working with the 7th grade students.  Expecting Great Things.