Seldom does Haddonfield Memorial High School counselor Jeffrey Holman talk about himself, it’s always about the students.
Seldom does Haddonfield Memorial High School counselor Jeffrey Holman talk about himself, it’s always about the students.
“I think I am naturally more of a listener than a talker,” Holman said. “I always enjoy more hearing other people talk than hearing myself talk.”
Underneath his modest demeanor, Holman’s talent to connect with high school students hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he has recently been nominated by the New Jersey School Counselor Association for Counselor of the Year.
The New Jersey School Counselor Association represents professional school counseling in New Jersey, and the nomination is reserved for professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates for the nation’s students, helping them achieve success in their educational career and in life, according to the association.
Holman believes his ability to listen to others has attributed to his success as a counselor, as well as tennis coach at HMHS.
“I am just interested in learning about other people, just my disposition not to say a lot. I think that is a good skill for a counselor to have,” Holman explained.
Also believing in Holman’s skill to listen and make his students feel heard is one of his colleagues, Bill Seaman. Seaman has seen firsthand the positive impact Holman has had on the students of HMHS.
“Jeff has this special quality that allows students to feel truly heard as they seek to understand themselves and to build on strengths as they pursue their goals,” Seaman said. “Jeff is equally dedicated towards his colleagues, and I am personally thankful to him as both a mentor and a friend.”
Another HMHS colleague, Tammy McHale, believes Holman’s dedication to HMHS contributed to the nomination, saying his commitment to HMHS is strong and that Holman strives to see the needs of his students are being met.
“Jeff is compassionate and caring. He has an amazing work ethic and is a team player,” McHale said. “He is willing to do whatever is necessary for the HMHS community.”
Holman went to Princeton for his undergraduate degree, majoring in Latin and Greek language and minoring in English. He eventually went on to Temple and graduated with a master’s degree in Psycho Educational Processes. He finished his credentials needed to be a counselor from Rowan University.
HMHS welcomed Holman as an English teacher, a position he held for 11 years before starting his career in counseling at Haddonfield Middle School for six years. That would eventually lead him to become a tennis coach and counselor at HMHS.
Holman was motivated to be a counselor from his role models growing up, his teachers at HMHS, who inspired him to pursue a career in education.
During the beginning stages of his career as a counselor, he met Linda Stoops. The two worked together at Haddonfield Middle School from 1987 to 1993, which she fondly recalled.
“It was a joy working with Jeff,” Stoops said. “He is a very hard worker and is dedicated to helping each of his students.”
She also said Holman is one of the most humble people she knows and is always thinking about others.
Holman said he is fortunate to have the opportunity to grow with the school that has inspired him to be an educator and confidant for his students today. Although Holman says he is the lucky one, his coworkers think otherwise.
Steven Fluharty, whose nickname for Holman is “Mr. Haddonfield,” says Holman is a “proud product” of the Haddonfield education system. Fluharty said his commitment to his profession has touched the lives of all who have had the pleasure to meet him.
“His passion, dedication and enthusiasm for his profession of school counselor shines through to every single person who crosses his path at HMHS,” Fluharty said. “His commitment to his students, parents, faculty and community of HMHS is inspiring for all to witness.”
Fluharty said not only does he go the extra mile for his colleagues, but Holman is a “whiz” of Genesis and Naviance, the “mastermind” of the school’s master schedule, an “expert” on NCAA guidelines and well-informed of ever-changing graduation requirements of PARCC, which makes him an asset to the HMHS students, faculty and staff.
Echoing Fluharty’s sentiments, Carla O’Hara described Holman as not only a mentor and colleague, but a friend. She said he is one of the backbones to the school and a fundamental part of the day-to-day operations.
“We value his knowledge and commitment to our students and community,” O’Hara said. “He is our ‘go-to’ person whenever a situation arises.”
His favorite moments embracing his role as counselor consist of connecting with students and immersing himself in student culture, which involves going to school musicals, art shows and athletic events. Throughout the years, he has appreciated seeing the students of HMHS excel at their talents and grow as young adults.
“I enjoy being able to see the different ways in which our students shine with all of their different talents,” Holman said. “That’s what really makes me feel so impressed by this school and makes me very proud to be associated with this school in my own way.”
