Hoboken Principal Nominated For 'Lifechanger Of The Year Award'

HOBOKEN, NJ — An agent of change. An asset to Hoboken. And someone that’s not above giving kids high-fives. That’s how some students and staff described Hoboken Middle School Principal Harold Abraham, who was recently nominated for the National Life Group’s “Lifechanger of the Year Award.”

The award recognizes K-12 educators around the nation who make significant differences in the lives of their students, something that Abraham knows firsthand, his supporters say.

The competition – which is open to student nominations as well as adults – asks local community members to offer words of support for their favorite educators. (See Abraham’s profile here)

The anonymous colleague who nominated Abraham had glowing words about his effect on students:

“Mr. Abraham has an ability like no other to form genuine relationships with his students. This goes far beyond knowing the first and last name of all of his kids; they have true bonds formed. Mr. Abraham started a math-infused before school fitness program for staff, students, and parents, that has taken the school by storm. Historically, it’s a battle to get middle schoolers out of bed, let alone to get them to school early, but not for Mr. Abraham. His club has over 25% of the student-body attending each week, and it continues to grow.”

Abraham’s colleague continued:

“Mr. Abraham continuously inspires students to overcome adversity through hard work, perseverance and grit. He shared with students that he is a formerly classified student and struggled tremendously during his K-12 schooling. To add to this message, Mr. Abraham designed a nationally recognized reading incentive titled “Read-Believe-Achieve." This incentive centered around an inspirational visit from his close friend, ESPY Award winner, Eric Legrand. Each class was challenged to log their extracurricular reading for the duration of a month. During the assembly, it was shared that as a whole, Hoboken Middle School read over 33,000 minutes!”

The Hoboken community overwhelmingly agreed with the sentiment. Here’s a small sampling of more than 100 comments lauding Abraham:

• “Mr. Abraham's positive outlook is contagious among, staff, students, and all who are in his company. He has the ability to find the good in every situation. His motivational techniques with his students are admirable and working with him is always a pleasure. He is fair, honest and definitely an asset to the Hoboken Public School District.”
• “I am not psychic, but when Hal Abraham was a student and an athlete here at Montclair State University, I knew he was going to do great things. Hal’s a difference-maker and a change-agent. Whether he was in the classroom or on the court, he always brought positive uplifting energy! In my 39 years at MSU, I have never had another student like him.”
• “While my daughter is an elementary school student, I am truly inspired by Mr. Abraham's work with Hoboken Middle School. Whenever I walk by the Demarest School building in the mornings, I see Mr. Abraham greeting his students with handshakes and high fives. His smile is always bright and I see how his students respond to his warmth. Whenever I see Mr. Abraham at school and community events, he goes out of his way to build rapport with everyone around him. It's this dedication to building connections that is transforming the culture of Hoboken Middle School.”
• “Mr. Abraham is a stellar principal. When he worked as an Assistant Principal in Piscataway, New Jersey he was very warm, relatable and friendly. Mr. Abraham really had a knack for bonding with students, especially boys. He remembered what it was like to be a growing boy and all of the joys and pains that come with that growth. Mr. Abraham is a fair person and not quick to judge or rule out difficult, different or underachieving students.”
• “As a grandparent of two young boys who live in Hoboken, Hal Abraham has changed our whole family's outlook on the future of education in that city. Our children love living there but thought that might have to leave for the suburbs, like many of their friends. Hal has breathed new life into their school system. He is hardworking and dedicated to making the schools more innovative and hands-on. I can see how much the parents and students love him and how much has changed in a very short time. I know Hal lives and breathes for his work there and that he is very quickly becoming the new face of the Hoboken school system.”

This year’s winners will be surprised at their schools during spring 2019, and the grand prize winner will be announced in early May, organizers said.

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Photo: Hoboken Schools