Advocating for Education: Why I’m Running. My Family, My Community, My Commitment to Every Student

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Who is Jayme Lowenstein?

For those that don’t know me, my name is Jayme Lowenstein. I grew up in Monmouth County. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Economics from University of Massachusetts Amherst, my husband Jay and I chose Holmdel as the place to raise our family. We moved to Holmdel in 2011, like so many others, for the high performing, reputable school system.

I have two children. My daughter is a freshman in college and my son is a freshman in high school. He started in the Holmdel School District when he was just 3 years old in the self-contained, special education program.

I Care for the Holmdel Community, the Way I Care for My Family.

I’ve worked for HYAA for over 8 years as an office administrator overseeing 14 sports. Each sport has its own group of players, volunteers, and budgets with many sports overlapping in their seasons. In addition, I have volunteer experience as an HYAA commissioner and coach for HYAA Track, helping to launch the track program. When there is a need in the community, I do whatever it takes to fill it. I served as VP and President of SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) and as a member of the Township Recreation Advisory Committee for 4 years. I am a proven public servant and team player, able to get along with everyone, from kindergarteners to administrators. When there are disagreements, I understand how to step back and truly listen.

Putting the Whole Student First

I wear many hats in town, but being a mother to my children has been my most important and fulfilling role. Our family has experienced all of Holmdel’s schools. My daughter thrived at Village School. After her time in Village, she needed extra help with reading and writing. My daughter had to work very hard for the As and Bs she earned at Indian Hill and Satz. Prior to high school, we attended the information session presented to 8th graders and their families. Emphasis was placed on AP options and obtaining elevated GPAs. During the presentation, the students were told that the grades they will earn in high school are the only ones that really count. I’ll never forget the look on my daughter’s face. For some, it probably sounded like an opportunity for a clean slate. The message she came away with was that none of the hard work she did at Indian Hill and Satz had mattered. It sent her into a tailspin. We ultimately pulled her from the district to preserve her mental health. She needed a space to learn where there was less pressure placed on AP classes and perfectionism.

During her high school career, she was given the room to grow and by her senior year, she was no longer an average A student, but was thriving in Honors and DE classes. I don’t believe that a district that spends so much time focused on performance in AP classes and rankings is serving the whole community. Students have many options after high school: college, military service, vocational careers to name a few. I want to make sure we are supporting all of our students in achieving their unique goals.

Advocating for Students. Supporting Families

I have been a parent of a neurodivergent child for over 15 years. My son’s first of many diagnoses came when he was just 4 months old. He started receiving services through Early Intervention at 5 months old. At age 3, he began attending Holmdel schools, where he still receives services and support.

My family has had a great experience overall, but connecting with families while serving as Vice President/President of SEPAC, I know of families that have not had that same experience. There are services my son received during his time at Village that made all the difference in his development that students no longer have access to. For example, he had Adaptive PE, which involved all of the students in the self-contained classrooms being pretaught the skills needed to participate in the general education gym classes. When he started school in the district as a non-verbal 3 year-old, he received 6 sessions a week of Speech Therapy. This is unheard of now, even for our non-verbal students.

Holmdel still has one of the best public special education programs in our area, but we must improve inclusivity in parent group events, ensure teachers are reading through IEPs and 504s at the start of the school year and when these documents are updated, and look to begin an adaptive health program. Giving students the support they need to thrive early on often reduces or eliminates the need for more expensive services and interventions later. Being deeply immersed in the world of special education has given me insight into which resources have the greatest impact on student success.

I have advocated for students and parents within the district and will continue to do so. I’ve experienced IEP meetings in several school districts, connected with many of the special needs families here in Holmdel, and served in a leadership role specifically for the families in Holmdel with 504s and IEPs, giving me a unique perspective that is much needed on the Holmdel Board of Education.

Working Together to Support Every Student’s Potential

I’ve enjoyed serving the Holmdel community and paying it forward for over 9 years. My volunteer experience has given me purpose outside of therapy appointments, doctors’ appointments and special education meetings.

Now that my children are older, I have more time to devote to other things. I believe it is the job of the Board of Education to be a nonpartisan group of people working together towards a common goal of serving all students, families, and community while actively listening to their experiences in our schools. What works? What doesn’t work? Who better to hear this from than the families of our students who are on the front lines? I want to hear and work with students and parents to understand how the Board of Education can better support their educational experience.

The Board of Education is the face of the school district. Respect for fellow board members, meaningful communication, thoughtful collaboration, and transparency are essential for success. A diverse board is a strong board. We need moderate and approachable people who can connect with all levels of students, families and the community while working towards shared goals.

After hearing from people within the community, I believe we are ready for a change. I am ready to be the change this district needs, a voice for those groups who feel unheard; someone who has a new perspective to offer. I want to serve on a Board of Education that puts students and families first, supporting every student’s potential. No empty promises or lofty agendas, just the promise to work hard wherever I am needed.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know a little bit about me. I am excited and hopeful you will get out and vote during this election and entrust me with the opportunity to once again serve our community.

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