John Jeffers parts ways with the Lenape District to spend time with family.
By Melissa Riker
The Sun
“You are a family man, you are a community man, you are a Lenape man.”
Those are the words of Lenape High School Principal Tony Cattani as he spoke to resigning Lenape Regional High School District board member John “JJ” Jeffers at this week’s board meeting.
Jeffers was a Mount Laurel representative to the Lenape District Board of Education, on which he has served for the past 22 years.
Cattani described Jeffers as a man of few but powerful words, who is filled with pride for his family and the students of Lenape High School.
“You’re one of those things we’re truly proud about at Lenape High School,” Cattani said. “While this is not about me, this is something personal because for my 20 years — every night I’ve ever been here at the Lenape [District] Board of Education — you’re not just here in presence but also in level of support. You’re a calming influence and your perspective through experience and as an intelligent, bright man has always shed a lot of light at Lenape High School.”
Cattani reminisced on the “fatherly advice” he received from Jeffers when his children were younger, and stated Jeffers always has a smile on his face when talking about the family of his own.
“I know you’re going to go spend a lot of time with your family, but know that you’re always part of the Lenape family,” Cattani said.
Superintendent Carol Birnbohm also spoke to Jeffers, describing him as someone with quick wit and a quiet demeanor, an ideal role model, mentor and member of the board of education.
She reminisced on the times Jeffers would bring his mother to district events such as award ceremonies, and the pride he expressed while introducing her to everyone. She said Jeffers would often speak at the award ceremonies about his parents’ support toward his education.
“You shared your love of learning that you had, which you always credit your parents for,” Birnbohm said. “Through your stories of your childhood memories and by bringing your mom to these events, you were telling parents that their involvement matters, and more importantly you were telling students that they needed to respect their parents and respect their education.”
Birnbohm said Jeffers son’s accomplishments of creating an invention designed to help save marine animals helped her spark enthusiasm in the district’s principals. She said that as educators they don’t know what they’re preparing students for, but it is important for them to instill creativity, risk-taking and a love of learning — just as Jeffers and his wife did for their son.
Jeffers said, throughout his 22 years as a board representative, it has been amazing to create relationships with other board members, principals and students.
“It’s been a pleasure working with this group, there’s just so many different people, so many different personalities, so many different professionals that it’s really made the job easy,” Jeffers said. “I appreciate everything everyone’s done and the friendships.”
Jeffers said he plans to spend more time with children and grandchildren.
“It is time for me to move on,” Jeffers said. “It’s time to be a grandfather.”
