Candidate: Jeff Holness

Dr. Jeff Holness is a long-time community leader and educator who has worked diligently throughout his life to serve others and his community. He has been an active lead educator in Broward County for many years, working for over 20 years as a teacher and assistant principal designee for Broward County Schools. He has taught at several Broward County schools including Walter C. Young Middle, Apollo Middle, Lyons Creek Middle, and several Broward County community schools. Dr. Holness has received numerous recognition for his contribution to students’ success including SS Teacher of the Year (Walter C Young Middle), SS Teacher of the Year (Apollo Middle), and Broward County SS Teacher of the Year Finalist. He has worked as a college intern educator and an associate university professor teaching in the field of communications for over 10 years. He is currently a small business owner and director of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Coral Springs-South helping children reach their full potential to not only succeed in school but to become productive members of the society.

Dr. Holness completed a doctorate in organizational leadership and a master of science in education at Nova Southeastern University.  In addition, he earned a bachelor of arts in sociology at Florida Atlantic University.   He is the proud father of two wonderful sons, Jordan (13) and Matthew (8).  Dr. Holness’s sons also attend Kumon Math and Reading Center of Coral Springs-South with both his sons previously receiving a “Place of Distinction” on Kumon’s Honor Roll. Both of his sons attend public schools in Parkland, Broward County; one attending Heron Heights Elementary and the other attending Westglades Middle School. As a parent of two Parkland public school students, Dr. Holness and his sons were also affected by the unfortunate horrific tragedy that took place at MSD. School safety and mental health of our Broward County School children are of high priority.

As a long-time educational and community leader, Dr. Jeff Holness has served Broward County residents in numerous capacities. He is currently serving as a member of Broward County’s Consumer Protection Board.   He served as chair of the City of Plantation Parks and Recreation Board and helped the city to develop and maintain over 40 beautiful well-kept parks in the county providing adequate recreational activities for all residents.   With his commitment, dedication and proven results, Dr. Holness was re-elected unanimously to continue to chair the Board of Parks and Recreation in the 2014-2015 year.  He has also served for many years as School Advisory Council member and chair for several schools in Broward County including Walter C. Young Middle in Pembroke Pines, Apollo Middle in Hollywood, and Lyons Creek Middle in Coconut Creek. He also served as Zone Business Partner and ESOL coordinator at Lyons Creek Middle School. Further, Dr. Holness has served as a member of the Summer Scholarship Committee granting scholarships to children of families experiencing financial hardship so those children could attend summer camps. In addition, Dr. Holness was the founder of Student Learning Communities at Lyons Creek Middle School where he helped over 400 students enrolled in the program achieve significant success and learning gains on the state standardize assessments.

His Kumon Math and Reading Center was recently selected as Business Partner of the Year for both Ramblewood Elementary and Maplewood Elementary in consecutive years and nominated to receive the Broward County prestigious award as Business Partner of the Year for Broward County Schools. Furthermore, Dr. Holness has awarded several fully paid 6-month scholarships yearly to students with economic challenges from schools near his Kumon math and reading center. Dr. Holness also conducts Back to School Drives to help economically disadvantaged students with necessary school supplies at the onset of the school year including students at Village Elementary in Sunrise, Maplewood Elementary and Ramblewood Elementary in Coral Springs. He has also contributed significantly on a yearly basis to PTA’s, student clubs and Broward school related activities. 

Dr, Jeff Holness is currently a member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Sunrise. In the past, he was a member of several Kiwanis clubs and has served as president for two years. In addition to being a past president of Kiwanis he received the Kiwanis Lt. Governors Recognition Award for High Performance.  Further, he has served on the economic development and business advisory growth strategy team for Broward County. Dr. Holness has also served as a member of several community organizations, homeowners associations and community clubs.

Dr. Holness maintains his State of Florida Professional Teaching Certificate and is certified in the following areas; Educational Leadership, Mathematics, Social Science, and Gifted Endorsed (Expires 2023). He has also completed all requirements to receive a Broward County School Certificate in Teaching Students with Disabilities. His educational leadership experiences include being a past Florida Atlantic University’s clinical intern educator, member of School Leadership Council, chair of several school advisory councils, founder and coordinator of Student Learning Communities, coordinator of community partnership, coordinator of Anti-Defamation League, chair of School Diversity Committee, assistant principal designee and member of school’s literacy leadership team. He was also a long-time past member of the Broward Teacher’s Union.

Dr. Holness has supported numerous charities including Relay for Life Cancer Society, Family First, Support Wildlife, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Stop Heart Disease, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Broward Education Foundation.

Top Priorities;

1. Improving School Safety and Security

2. Identifying and Addressing Mental Health Issues in Children

3. Effectively Meeting the Needs of ESE Students

4.  Increasing Teachers and Employees' Salaries and Benefits

5. Building Community Partnership with Municipalities

Putting Children First!

Dr. Jeff Holness, The Right Choice!