Beloved teacher duet leaves make on Wall Township

BY DECLAN DENTON

     After parts of 56 years spent teaching students and mentoring staff, there are a lot of goodbyes to say.    
   As Mr. Leslie Hollander, THE music teacher when it came to Wall High School since the early 1970s, prepared to retire, his classroom was awash with well-wishers, reminders of his impact on generations of young musicians. 
    “My favorite memory has to be the awesome students that I’ve met while I have been here,” Mr. Hollander said on his last day at Wall this fall. “They were the best part of my career.”    
     Mr. Hollander and his wife, longtime Wall music teacher Mrs. Ellen Hollander, who also recently retired, may have taught their last classes at Wall, but their impact echoes even farther than the melodies their students produced. Many of their former students went on to become semi-professional or professional musicians and singers. Mr. Hollander was proud of them, but he never bragged. He cared more about learning and the process than any recognition.
     “He is very blunt and seems blase, however, he cares a lot about his students and wants to see them succeed and build their work ethic,” said Wall senior Skyla Bicca about Mr. Hollander. 
     In honor of his years of service, the Wall Township Public School District has announced that the recently-renovated music hallway will be named the Les Hollander Music Hallway, a lasting tribute to his dedication and impact that represents the countless hours he spent building the program, students whose lives he touched and the legacy that will last for years to come.
     When Mr. Hollander started at Wall in the early 1970s, the music department was small and simple. He saw that Wall was looking for a band director and decided to take the opportunity to teach music and share his experience. What began as a chance to teach became a career that shaped Wall’s music program for more than half a century. Mr. Hollander came in with a vision to make it something better. He saw the potential in his students and wanted to create something that the school and community could be proud of. Mr. Hollander was known for setting high standards but always keeping a sense of humor that made students feel comfortable.
     “If I could tell anyone else what they should know before meeting him, I would say that he is very funny and is one of those people who truly want the best for everyone, which is very admirable,” said Wall sophomore Liv Perry. “He also is a very educated teacher and gives great advice whether it be in life or in the musical field or knowledge of playing.”
​     Mr. Hollander spent his early years building the foundation of the program. Through time and hard work, he turned it into one of the strongest in the state. His leadership reached beyond one class or group. Over time, he became known not only as a teacher but as someone who truly cared about his students’ success, both in and out of music.
    By the late 1970s, the Wall marching band had become one of the top in New Jersey. Under his direction, it competed and placed in multiple state-level competitions, putting Wall Township on the map musically. Students joined the band not just for fun, but to be part of something meaningful. The program was built on pride, tradition and heart.
    The success of the marching band was not just about trophies. It was about teamwork, growth, and dedication. Mr. Hollander made sure his students took pride in every step, note and performance. 
     In 1997, another chapter began when Mrs. Ellen Hollander joined the high school as choral director. At the time, the program was smaller and needed new direction. Together, the couple continued to transform the department. They introduced new courses, added more instruments as well as updated the marching band’s equipment and supplies.
    “We totally revamped the music program from what I came in with at the time,” Mr. Hollander said. “We really made some huge changes in the course offerings and in adding faculty and lots of equipment to support.”
     The Hollanders’ professional partnership became the heart of Wall’s performing arts. Students saw them as the center of the music program. They worked together every day, creating a community where music wasn’t just a class but a family.
     The Hollanders’ retirement celebration was filled with laughter and memories. Former students talked about how Mr. Hollander helped them find confidence or pushed them to reach their goals. Colleagues shared stories about his kindness and leadership. Wall Principal Mr. Kevin Davis recalled his favorite memories with Mr. and Mrs. Hollander at the annual sock hop, an event that showed the fun and spirit they brought to the school.
     Over the years, Mr. Hollander’s influence reached far beyond Wall. He impacted thousands of students who found confidence, discipline and friendship through music. Even those who didn’t continue music after high school remembered his lessons about respect, hard work and persistence.
     “He is very dedicated to the arts and helping you become a better musician,” said Wall senior Kelly Puzo.
Students knew that when they entered the music hallway, they were learning more than just notes or rhythm. They were learning what it meant to be part of something greater than themselves.
     Mrs. Hollander created her own legacy at Wall. She built the choral program into a place where students could perform, grow and gain confidence. Her leadership gave students the chance to express themselves and connect through music. Together, the Hollanders built an environment where students learned not just music, but teamwork and creativity.
     When people talk about Wall’s music program, they talk about the Hollanders. They remember the long rehearsals, the excitement of competitions, the laughter in class and the sound of music echoing through the halls.
     The Hollanders’ retirement marks the end of an era for Wall with more than 84 years of teaching experience between them. The announcement brought emotional reactions from students, alumni and staff who had been influenced by them. For many, it felt like saying goodbye to the heart of Wall’s music community.
     But the Hollanders’ influence will not end with their retirement. The programs they built and traditions they started will continue to shape students long after they’ve left the classroom. The sense of pride that comes with being part of Wall’s music department will live on, even for students who never knew them.
    Mr. Hollander once said his goal was to make his students’ music experience better. Fifty-five full school years later, it’s clear he did much more than that. As Wall moves forward, their influence resonates in the school and town through the memories of those who learned from them. The Les Hollander Music Hallway will stand as a daily reminder of what two teachers built through dedication, kindness and love for their students and community.