David H.S. Gruendel
David Halleck Singer was born in a military hospital in Japan in 1968, the son of Lt. John Singer and his wife Janice. Before Dave’s first birthday, John was killed when his plane was shot down by North Korean MIGs. That event was the first in a long line of circumstances which led him to devote his life to service to others, as a soldier, a member of his community, a father and husband and, especially, a teacher.
When Dave was 3 years old, Janice married Herb Gruendel. Dave attended Branford Public Schools and after graduating from Branford High School in 1986, Dave attended Washington University in St. Louis for a few years before deciding to join the U.S. Army. He trained as an infantry soldier and earned both his airborne wings and air assault badge. He served a year in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea before returning to serve in an air assault battalion in Kentucky. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, his unit was quickly deployed to Saudi Arabia to prepare for Desert Storm. Dave participated in that war, flying into Iraq with his unit on combat helicopters and earned a combat infantry badge.
Upon returning to civilian life, he enrolled at the University of Connecticut, where he graduated in 1994, and completed his Master of Science at the University of Pennsylvania, the third generation of his family to attend there. While at UConn, he joined the Connecticut Air National Guard. Some may have seen that as zealous patriotism, but the fact that his soon to be wife was a member of that unit (and his superior officer) no doubt played a role in his choice. As a member of the National Guard, he was deployed several more times, including to Kuwait and, after the September 11 attacks, to an air base in New York, just two weeks after the birth of his second daughter, Elena.
Dave began his teaching career in Branford in 1995, and except for a year as an administrator in Milford, has happily taught there since. He has taught at Branford High School during most of that time, but also taught for five years at the Walsh Intermediate School. He has been a social studies teacher and one-time Social Studies Department Chair, a coach of both girls’ and boys’ tennis and an active member of the Branford Education Association as a building representative, chair and vice chair. He loves the school and the students he has been privileged to know there.
Among the community activities he has participated in, none has been more rewarding than his work with The Hole in the Wall Camp, a summer camp for children with extremely serious illnesses. He has volunteered there a number of summers and has played a significant role in fund raising for the camp through his participation in the hundred-mile bike ride across Connecticut each Memorial Day. His team, called Team One Ton because he is the little guy, has raised many thousands of dollars for the camp during their years riding together.
Dave has also been devoted to his family. His wife, Liz, whom he met in the Air Guard, still outranks him. His elder daughter, Alisia graduated from Branford High School last year and is now enrolled at UCONN. His younger daughter, Elena is about to become a senior at the high school as she prepares to move on to her own dreams. Also, he would not have anyone forget his two little Bichon Frise pups, Calvin and Hobbes.
When Dave was 3 years old, Janice married Herb Gruendel. Dave attended Branford Public Schools and after graduating from Branford High School in 1986, Dave attended Washington University in St. Louis for a few years before deciding to join the U.S. Army. He trained as an infantry soldier and earned both his airborne wings and air assault badge. He served a year in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea before returning to serve in an air assault battalion in Kentucky. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, his unit was quickly deployed to Saudi Arabia to prepare for Desert Storm. Dave participated in that war, flying into Iraq with his unit on combat helicopters and earned a combat infantry badge.
Upon returning to civilian life, he enrolled at the University of Connecticut, where he graduated in 1994, and completed his Master of Science at the University of Pennsylvania, the third generation of his family to attend there. While at UConn, he joined the Connecticut Air National Guard. Some may have seen that as zealous patriotism, but the fact that his soon to be wife was a member of that unit (and his superior officer) no doubt played a role in his choice. As a member of the National Guard, he was deployed several more times, including to Kuwait and, after the September 11 attacks, to an air base in New York, just two weeks after the birth of his second daughter, Elena.
Dave began his teaching career in Branford in 1995, and except for a year as an administrator in Milford, has happily taught there since. He has taught at Branford High School during most of that time, but also taught for five years at the Walsh Intermediate School. He has been a social studies teacher and one-time Social Studies Department Chair, a coach of both girls’ and boys’ tennis and an active member of the Branford Education Association as a building representative, chair and vice chair. He loves the school and the students he has been privileged to know there.
Among the community activities he has participated in, none has been more rewarding than his work with The Hole in the Wall Camp, a summer camp for children with extremely serious illnesses. He has volunteered there a number of summers and has played a significant role in fund raising for the camp through his participation in the hundred-mile bike ride across Connecticut each Memorial Day. His team, called Team One Ton because he is the little guy, has raised many thousands of dollars for the camp during their years riding together.
Dave has also been devoted to his family. His wife, Liz, whom he met in the Air Guard, still outranks him. His elder daughter, Alisia graduated from Branford High School last year and is now enrolled at UCONN. His younger daughter, Elena is about to become a senior at the high school as she prepares to move on to her own dreams. Also, he would not have anyone forget his two little Bichon Frise pups, Calvin and Hobbes.
Letters of Nomination
David Gruendel, would be an excellent addition to the Hall of Fame! He is a teacher in every sense of the word. Lessons in the class room are one thing his work with our children with Model Congress is another. Many teachers spend extra time helping with assignments and extracurricular activities. What sets David apart is his continued efforts to stay engaged with his kids, it is constant no matter what stage in life. I personally have witnessed whether its social media, letters, personal meet ups and simply saying hi at an event. He is there, he always asks the next question to either be sure the student is truly "all set" in class or life. He teaches or might be better said that he allows all of us to learn from what we already know by engaging us with just one more question.
David Gruendel is a 1986 graduate of Branford High School that went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, served three years active duty in the Army's 101st Airborne Division in Korea, "Desert Shield" and "Desert Storm", earned his teaching degree from UConn, member of the National Guard called to active duty for a year during 9/11 and for the past 22 years has been a social studies teacher at Branford High School and Walsh Intermediate School.
There are many things that make him worthy for consideration for induction into the Education Hall of Fame. He encourages his students to get all the facts on an issue and then draw their own conclusions which he challenges them to defend. He daily demonstrates his pride in his country and the Branford Community and then walks the walk by serving his country and by volunteering in numerous community activities. An example is for over 10 years Dave has completed a two-day bike ride of over 135 miles to raise funds for the "Hole in the Wall Gang Camp."
Dave's lessons are not confined to the classroom. He has a large following of students and adults on Facebook and he daily presents differing views on world affairs and allows each person to draw their own conclusions.
In short David is everything that we think an exceptional educator should be. He is exceptional in the classroom, a positive role model, challenges his students daily and demonstrates his pride in Branford and the USA.
There are many things that make him worthy for consideration for induction into the Education Hall of Fame. He encourages his students to get all the facts on an issue and then draw their own conclusions which he challenges them to defend. He daily demonstrates his pride in his country and the Branford Community and then walks the walk by serving his country and by volunteering in numerous community activities. An example is for over 10 years Dave has completed a two-day bike ride of over 135 miles to raise funds for the "Hole in the Wall Gang Camp."
Dave's lessons are not confined to the classroom. He has a large following of students and adults on Facebook and he daily presents differing views on world affairs and allows each person to draw their own conclusions.
In short David is everything that we think an exceptional educator should be. He is exceptional in the classroom, a positive role model, challenges his students daily and demonstrates his pride in Branford and the USA.
I’ve known Mr. Gruendel since I had him in 7th grade history, his last year till he went back to the high school. He was the first teacher that made a profound impact in my life personally and educationally. He always made his lessons fun, interactive, and something we could relate to. He shared that he was active in the Army then went to reserves because after 9/11 he got a call to report to work. I’ve always respected and appreciated Veterans especially after I met Mr. Gruendel and had him as a teacher. I remember my favorite thing in his class was when we would watch BBC world news. And sometimes on the weekends part of our homework was to watch a clip from BBC world news and write something about it. He would always challenge in the classroom and to be a better person. He’d always ask us why or how when we gave an answer to challenge us, make sure we got it, and to know we can learn more. He challenged us to be better people by leading by example. I remember I used to be a troubled youngster and got in trouble a few times. He’d discipline me appropriately and professionally like a good parent would. And always showed all of us and me he was there for us by what he did and said. He cared about us we could all tell and so we wanted to learn. I think that’s super important for kids to love their teacher so they want to learn and that’s what Dave Gruendel did and does. What I’ve said about Mr. Gruendel doesn’t do him justice but I hope he gets in the teacher hall of fame because no one deserves it more than him. If you met him you’d understand.
I am writing to nominate Dave Gruendel to Branford's Education Hall of Fame. In 2001, I was a student in Mr. Gruendel's social studies class at Branford High School. Shortly, after September 11th, he was activated by the Army Reserves and temporarily left his job as an educator. Personally, this struck a chord in me that made the tragedy of 9/11 hit closer to home. The following year myself and several other Branford High seniors enlisted in the military. Mr. Gruendel inspected our uniforms when new recruits wore them to school. He took time away from his regular teaching duties to educate us about military life. Most importantly, he was honest with students about his journey to becoming an educator. He shared stories about his military experience, attending UCONN, and eventually returning to Branford to teach. Students need educators that are invested in their futures. Mr. Gruendel is a vital asset to Branford students and is deserving of being admitted to the Branford's Education Hall of Fame.