Barbara Holstein

Barbara Holstein is the voice from behind the wheel figuratively and literally. Holstein’s lifelong love of working with children has afforded her various opportunities and experiences in working with children. Holstein has developed being able to meet the broad needs of a group, classroom, department, school while keeping acute attention to the needs of individuals in order to have a fully successful environment. 

 

Currently, Holstein is in her twenty second year of holding a professional commercial driver’s license for driving school vehicles and their precious cargo - children. Holstein has been driving for the same school district now for four years. Nothing lets Holstein know that she has connected in meaningful ways with her kids, more than a student excitedly waving from the sidewalk, a hand drawn picture, a hug, a high five, or a parent’s compliment and smile. 

 

Holstein’s natural ability to connect with children began as a childhood babysitter. Her desire to work with children and willingness to chase opportunities led her to positions as pre-school staffer, coordinator/group leader adolescent young adult with disabilities, elementary academic tutor, teacher assistant, special education teacher, school bus driver, school board member - and Mom. Each of these experiences have led Holstein to pursue a NJ Transportation Supervisors certificate confident that she has a strong foundation to effectively manage personnel, facilitate staff training, maintain fiscal balance, and to ensure compliance with district policy, regulations, and laws. Holstein is genuinely excited to bring her successful student transportation experience to the Darius Mayfield Foundation’s initiative to help school children overcome transportation challenges interfering with their ability to attend and thrive in their schools. 

 

Holstein holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education, Magna Cum Laude,  from William Paterson University, New Jersey. Holstein holds two standard certificates in New Jersey for Elementary Education and Teacher of the Handicapped. Holstein proudly maintains a New Jersey Commercial Driver’s license Class B with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. Holstein is in her second term as a Montague Township Board of Education member and has been Board President for two years.