President Barack Obama Community School, PS #34 Home

Congratulations to Jaelyn Luna in 5th Grade and Luciana Sanchez in 6th Grade who won the No Name Calling Contest at the District Level! Great job to the school wide No Name Calling Contest winners Samir Cortes in Pre K, Adonis Colon in Kindergarten, Jaden Hernandez in 1st Grade, Liam Roman in 2nd Grade, Kennedi Jackson-Hill in 3rd Grade, Jasmine Celestino in 4th Grade, Starr Williams in 7th Grade, Tatianna Washington in 8th, and Julian Alvarez in 8th Grade.

This year’s Teacher of the Year is Mr. John “Jack” Maher. Mr. Maher is our 7th and 8th grade math teacher. Mr. Maher has worked for JCPS for 19 years, he began his career at PS # 29. Throughout his tenure he has taught primary and grammar grade levels. Mr. Maher’s teaching philosophy is to motivate and support his students. He is able to support his students by providing structure, having a positive attitude and making learning fun. In his free time, Mr. Maher is the Head Football Coach for Becton Regional High School in East Rutherford, NJ. This football season his team won the NJIC Championship with an undefeated record of 6-0. Mr. Maher also received the Bergen County Football Coach of the Year Award. Way to go Mr. Maher! Congratulations to Mr. Maher! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our school community!

This year’s Educational Services Professional is Mrs. Leonia Wise-Holston. Mrs. Holston is our Crisis Intervention Teacher, a position she has held for over ten years. This will be Mrs. Holston 32nd year in education. Her career began as an Assistant Director for the Financial Aid Office at New Jersey City University. At NJCU, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Art in Urban Education. In 2003 she started at JCPS as a classroom teacher. As a well as heading the 21st Century Afterschool Program. In 2008 she received Classroom Teacher of the Year. In her free time, Mrs. Holston enjoys the company of her family and friends and serves as an Usher for Oasis Christian Centre in Rahway, NJ.