Lawrence teacher Cleveland Woods dies at 56

Even in the worst of situations, Cleveland Woods was known to be cool, calm and collected and ready with a humorous witticism that more often than not disarmed the crisis and allowed the 6-foot-5 former basketball player who was a special education teacher with the Lawrence School District for more than 20 years to establish or reestablish a relationship.

Woods, a Freeport resident, died on Oct. 28. He was 56.

The impact the Brooklyn native made on people, especially young people, is incalculable, whether coaching basketball — he was a varsity hoops coach at Lawrence High School and coached at the All-American Basketball Camp — or through the nonprofit All-in-One-Athletics program that he and Dov Frier, another Lawrence district teacher, established in 2014.

“Coach Woods had one  of the biggest smiles I have ever seen,” said Inwood resident Sasha Young, who runs Gammy’s Pantry at the Five Towns Community Center, who considered Woods a “motivator, coach and a friend.” “Whether on the court or assisting me in de-escalating a teen in crisis, you always had a funny quip that would be all that we needed to turn that situation around. You will be greatly missed by many including your Lawrence High and Five Towns Community Center families.”

An All-City basketball player at Samuel J. Tilden High School in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, Woods, it was said, had an intuitive understanding of what the combination of basketball and education could do for him.

Receiving a full basketball scholarship to New Hampshire College, now Southern New Hampshire University, he put that mixture to work, and not only was a hoops star but earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.

“Cleveland was able to meet people where they were,” said Lawrence Superintendent Dr. Ann Pedersen. “He worked with kids that really struggled socially and allowed people to see the good in them. He always was able to show them there is a way. He had relationships with staff, administrators and the students. A ‘gentle giant’ who never had a cross word or negative comment.”

During a college basketball career where he was nicknamed “the rubber band man” for the effortless way he moved on the court, Woods became the only player in his school’s history to record more than 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds.

He was All-American in 1986 and 1987, and inducted into the New Hampshire College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. Career totals: 2,247 points (first), 1,170 rebounds (second), and steals 291 (second) in Southern New Hampshire University history.

Calling it a privilege to have known Woods and having a relationship with him, Edwin Rodriguez, an Inwood resident and Lawrence High graduate posted on Facebook: “May God bless you in heaven for being [a] great teacher, friend and father. Never gonna forget all you taught me and showed me and for believing in me every step of the way. You will always be in mind and heart, never forgotten.”

After college, Woods took his basketball talents to Europe and played there for several years. He then returned to Brooklyn and found employment in the Lawrence School District. He taught at both the middle school and high school. Woods earned a master’s degree in special education from Adelphi University.

Cedarhurst resident Syd Mandelbaum also posted on Facebook, noting Woods as a coach, father, husband, mentor and a son, and wrote: “But above all a kind role model you want all of your children to emulate. He helped me with the Sid Tanenbaum Basketball Tournament every year and supported Rock and Wrap It Up! I cry that he was taken from us when so many more could have benefited from his wisdom and experience.” Rock and Wrap It Up! is a charitable organization Mandelbaum founded and runs.

On the Lawrence Public School District 15 Facebook group page, the Lawrence Teachers Association remembered their colleague. “There are no words to describe the despair felt by the LTA and all those who knew and loved Lawrence High School teacher Cleveland Woods on the news of his sudden passing. Mr. Woods, your boundless positivity and infectious smile will be terribly missed by all, but most assuredly by the students, past and present, that you cared about so deeply,” the organization posted.

He is survived by his wife, Joliette Hall-Woods, their two sons and a daughter.

Donations for the Woods family can be made through Venmo and these LTA members: Nancy Mastrangelo @Nancy Kersich-Mastrangelo; Jeannine Cammarata @Jeannine-Cammarata; Jason Biscardi @Jay-Biscardi; Adam Berlin @Adam-Berlin-8).