We all know that an $\ce{NO2}$ group attached to a benzene is a deactivator, and it directs and substituents that would be adding to the meta position to the $\ce{NO2}$. For an alkyl group attached to a benzene it is an activator, and it directs to the positions ortho/para to the alkyl group.
I haven't found any information on how a $\ce{-CH2-OH}$ group would affect the reactivity of the benzene ring shown below