A Lehman College master's student and local teacher has been awarded a prestigious education scholarship.

Jamel Holmes is in the childhood special education master's program at Lehman and is the college's first student to receive the Peter Greeman Scholarship, which covers the cost of 48 of his credits in full.

"Initially when I received the email, I wasn't sure how many students would be awarded, but just stepping out on faith just allowed me to push myself for it," Holmes says.

This prestigious award is given to master's degree candidates teaching in a New York City public school. Holmes works at P.S./M.S. 29 Melrose School -- an environment to which Holmes can relate, as he grew up in the South Bronx.

"Growing up in a single-family household, I wanted to be that male role model for our younger students," Holmes says.

Holmes is also a mentor and says he prides himself on being a member of the NYC Men Teach program. Its purpose is to get men of color in city classrooms.

"You can see by just the quality of his work that he is truly dedicated to being the best educator that he can be," says Fatima Sherif, NYC Men Teach program director.