Honorable F. Herbert Gruendel
Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, in 1946, Herb Gruendel graduated from Drew University with a major in English literature in 1969 and entered the teaching profession as an English and Social Studies teacher in Dover, New Jersey. After earning a master's degree in 1971 (University of Maryland) in American Studies, he taught these subjects at Hillside Middle School in the Bridgewater-Raritan District of New Jersey while pursuing a second master's degree (1974, University of Pennsylvania) in American Civilization. He was also awarded a M.Ed. degree from Rutgers University in Education Administration
After three years as a teacher of English and Social Studies and Coordinator of Career Education in Westport, Connecticut, Herb came to Branford in 1978 as assistant coordinator of elementary education and was an early member of Citizens for Excellence in Education. Then in 1980, when the former Eades Street School re-opened as the John B. Sliney School; Herb was named principal of the facility for, at that time, grades 4 and 5. The "new school" presented unique challenges: Parents and students were comfortable with their "neighborhood" schools and he would be working with a staff that had never worked together before. "And," according to one teacher, "that is where the fun began." Herb's first accomplishment was turning a diverse faculty-in terms of teaching beliefs and styles-into a family that produced the best education for every child. He quickly came to know his faculty, and he is legendary for knowing all of the 500+ students by name and circumstances. His knack for matching students with appropriate teachers was-and may still be unequaled in Branford.
Many teachers, looking back, agree that, when called into Herb's office for a critique or an evaluation, they understood everything he said at the time. After the fact, however, when questioned by fellow teachers ("What did he say?"), they could not recall a single word. Perhaps that was because Herb knew each teacher so well that he or she immediately internalized the message and had no need to recall the specific verbiage. He was the kind of principal who always brought out the best in teachers and made each one the best that he or she could be.
Teachers agreed that he always made sure they knew that he valued, trusted, and respected them. One demonstration of how well Herb knew his faculty was the occasion when, at a rousing faculty gathering, he designated a book and a movie that each of the teachers personified. He encouraged each teacher to "fly" as far as he or she could-to take risks and to be on the cutting edge of new ideas.
Looking back on his time in the Branford Schools, Herb hopes that he helped contribute to a humane, child-centered system based on promoting the best possible academic and personal achievements for children. "That's what we were trying to do." And the "we" in that statement is a key element. One teacher from the Gruendel era at Sliney recalls, "Oh, those were the most wonderful days, and I'm glad I was a part of it!"
From 1983 to 1984, Herb also was a mid-career fellow at the Bush Center for Child Development and Social Policy at Yale University and an instructor in Schools and Contemporary Society at the teacher preparation program at Yale. In 1984 Herb graduated with honors from University of Connecticut School of Law and from then to 1998 was a member of the firm of Jacobs, Grudberg, Belt & Dow, P.C. in New Haven. Since that time he has been serving as a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court, for the last two years as Chief Administrative Judge for Family Matters, which-as Herb continues his commitment to education- is now developing a curriculum for children of divorcing parents.
After three years as a teacher of English and Social Studies and Coordinator of Career Education in Westport, Connecticut, Herb came to Branford in 1978 as assistant coordinator of elementary education and was an early member of Citizens for Excellence in Education. Then in 1980, when the former Eades Street School re-opened as the John B. Sliney School; Herb was named principal of the facility for, at that time, grades 4 and 5. The "new school" presented unique challenges: Parents and students were comfortable with their "neighborhood" schools and he would be working with a staff that had never worked together before. "And," according to one teacher, "that is where the fun began." Herb's first accomplishment was turning a diverse faculty-in terms of teaching beliefs and styles-into a family that produced the best education for every child. He quickly came to know his faculty, and he is legendary for knowing all of the 500+ students by name and circumstances. His knack for matching students with appropriate teachers was-and may still be unequaled in Branford.
Many teachers, looking back, agree that, when called into Herb's office for a critique or an evaluation, they understood everything he said at the time. After the fact, however, when questioned by fellow teachers ("What did he say?"), they could not recall a single word. Perhaps that was because Herb knew each teacher so well that he or she immediately internalized the message and had no need to recall the specific verbiage. He was the kind of principal who always brought out the best in teachers and made each one the best that he or she could be.
Teachers agreed that he always made sure they knew that he valued, trusted, and respected them. One demonstration of how well Herb knew his faculty was the occasion when, at a rousing faculty gathering, he designated a book and a movie that each of the teachers personified. He encouraged each teacher to "fly" as far as he or she could-to take risks and to be on the cutting edge of new ideas.
Looking back on his time in the Branford Schools, Herb hopes that he helped contribute to a humane, child-centered system based on promoting the best possible academic and personal achievements for children. "That's what we were trying to do." And the "we" in that statement is a key element. One teacher from the Gruendel era at Sliney recalls, "Oh, those were the most wonderful days, and I'm glad I was a part of it!"
From 1983 to 1984, Herb also was a mid-career fellow at the Bush Center for Child Development and Social Policy at Yale University and an instructor in Schools and Contemporary Society at the teacher preparation program at Yale. In 1984 Herb graduated with honors from University of Connecticut School of Law and from then to 1998 was a member of the firm of Jacobs, Grudberg, Belt & Dow, P.C. in New Haven. Since that time he has been serving as a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court, for the last two years as Chief Administrative Judge for Family Matters, which-as Herb continues his commitment to education- is now developing a curriculum for children of divorcing parents.