Election 2022: Mathew Weisfeld, Holmdel Board of Education

HOLMDEL, NJ— Mathew Weisfeld is one of eight candidates seeking three full-term seats on the Holmdel Board of Education in the Nov. 8 general election.

In these profiles, based on questions provided, the candidates give voters background about themselves and their positions on the issues. Patch is publishing individual profiles leading up to the election.

Weisfeld, a former student and teacher in the district, said he received an excellent education there. But he and his slate want the district to reach higher levels of academics for its students. "One of our main focuses is to find ways to continue to support STEM/STEAM based curriculum," he said of the Holmdel Education First slate.

Read more from candidate Mathew Weisfeld:

Name: Mathew Weisfeld

Age: 37

Town of residence: Holmdel Township

Position sought: Holmdel Board of Education

Are you an incumbent or have previous school board or civic experience?: No

Do you have a campaign designation or slate?: Holmdel Education First

Campaign website: https://holmdeleducationfirst.org/

Family: Coming up on my seventh anniversary with my wife Jane Weisfeld, and two beautiful daughters. Shyla who is 4 years old and attending Village School, and Goldy who is 23 months.

Education: Bachelor's degree from Monmouth University in History and Education with a Minor in Information Technology. Master's degree in Education from Monmouth University.

Occupation: Former teacher at Holmdel High School and Adjunct Professor at Monmouth University and Brookdale. Currently the owner of VPI Industries, the global leader in High End Turntables Made in America. Also the owner and head instructor at United Martial Artist Academy.

Why do you want to run for the school board and what in your experience or background prepares you for election:

Educational achievements and teaching experience:

I grew up and went through the Holmdel education system. Holmdel prepared me for life and success. I want those same opportunities and more for my own children. I will live and die in Holmdel, and will always strive to help and further our community and education.

My time as a former educator in Holmdel and a successful entrepreneur and business owner has given me unique experiences. My company, VPI, is a globally recognized brand, manufacturing products Made in America.

During the pandemic I converted my factory into making PPE supplies, donating thousands of bottles of sanitizer, face shields, and more. All were donated to first responders, hospitals, senior centers, schools, and other frontline heroes in the Holmdel community and across North America.

I have experience as a communicator and someone who values relationships. I encourage the success of everyone around me because we will always be stronger together. Major accomplishments of my experience include:

• Ten years of running a successful Global US manufacturing company
• Three years of running a successful Karate school
• Twenty years teaching Karate
• Five years teaching technology courses at Holmdel High School
• Four years teaching as an adjunct professor at Monmouth University
• Three years teaching as an adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College
• Four Holmdel Board of Education approved curricula
• Created the Animation and Gaming class in the Holmdel High School
• Placed over 100+ students into intern/job opportunities
• Nominated for Holmdel Teacher of the Year

If you are running as part of a slate of candidates, please explain the main positions of the slate if there are agreed upon positions. Please name your slate and its other candidates:

Our Slate is “Holmdel Education First.” We value the focus on furthering curriculum and reaching higher level academics for our children. Many of us move to Holmdel for the amazing school system. Our educational baseline is strong.

I’m fortunate to be a product of the Holmdel School education system. I am grateful for how Holmdel prepared me for college and the real world, establishing confidence and leadership values among many others. One of our main focuses is to find ways to continue to support STEM/STEAM based curriculum. I’m proud to be one of the former Holmdel teachers who wrote a number of the original STEM curriculums. Our slate also focuses on the emotional side of finding solutions for anti-bullying and other social struggles faced in the classroom and virtually.

In addition, we look to be fiscally responsible to ensure that appropriate programs get the funding to move forward. An environment that creates opportunities to further education and fosters doing so in the healthiest way is paramount to the Education First Slate.

Name what you see as the top issues currently facing your district and how you plan to address them. These can be local issues and/or statewide issues:

Restore Holmdel’s lost academic ranking. (Which is why my parents moved us here.):

• Retain students lost to private schools. Holmdel made these students, lets get them excited with STEM and other programs to keep them. Make a connection to the real world and have the content matter to make students want to learn more.
• Find the right teachers who can make an impact and inspire the children to be their best selves. Mr. Dooley inspired me to always do the job right. Let's find our children their own Mr. Dooley.
• Higher academic ranking, higher property value… Children or no children in the school system, every taxpayer is happy (Not a solution, just really good for everyone.).

Make up for the learning/schooling lost from the pandemic:

• Provide workshops and support for teachers to gain experience and tools needed and bring it into their classroom.
• Provide additional afterschool programs or extra help opportunities for the students who have fallen behind.

Mental health struggles faced by students in the school system:

• Mental health type courses/assemblies including but not limited to mentor/Big Brother programs and mental health/suicide awareness.
• Provide Anti-Bullying programs as well as self defense/Martial Arts programs.
• Get a window in the special needs classroom. In general our special needs program needs additional attention and support.

What changes or improvements do you see for the district that could enhance educational life and is there a way you might accomplish that?:

• Restore Holmdel’s lost academic ranking.
• Retain students and keep them in the Holmdel school system through high school.
• Support and expand the Holmdel Robotics class and competition team.
• Support and expand all Engineering related curriculum.
• Explore a Martial Arts/Anti Bullying curriculum and programs.
• Create student intern/job opportunities for students.
• Find solutions for the high teacher turnover rate.
• Restore Holmdel’s Culture Clubs.

When we moved here 40 years ago, Mr. White ran the High School. He was tough but fair, creating an environment that made the children work hard to thrive. The greatest lesson we can give our children is that hard work pays off in the real world, and this starts by creating such an atmosphere in our schools.

Candidates for Holmdel Township Board of Education:

Full Term - Vote for Three

• Deborah Wilson, School Community Advocacy
• Elizabeth Urbanski
• Chris DiMare, Save Holmdel Schools
• Jeff D. Mann, Save Holmdel Schools
• John Buckley, Save Holmdel Schools
• Joanne Lam, Education First
• Alicia Unusan, Education First
• Mathew Weisfeld, Education First