Ken Tavares Still Keeping Busy in Retirement

Mr. Tavares was the Dean of Barlow House during our years at Andrew Warde High School. He retired from the Melville Avenue campus in 2001 after 39 years at the high school.

Even though he officially retired from Fairfield High School in 2001, former Andrew Warde High School teacher, dean, and housemaster Ken Tavares is still keeping busy.

"I supervise the student teachers from Sacred Heart (University), and I teach at Housatonic (Community College)," the veteran educator told me by telephone this morning from his home in Milford, where he has lived for more than 32 years.

In fact, he was reunited with several former co-workers from Andrew Warde and Fairfield high schools when he assumed the substitute role of dean at Fairfield Ludlowe High School last semester.

Mr. Tavares spent 39 years and parts of five decades at the Melville Avenue home of Andrew Warde and Fairfield high schools, and he enjoyed every minute of it.

"There were so many fond memories I have," he told me. "It always has been a very friendly, supportive staff. They made me comfortable when I first started at Warde. I made a lot of good friends. John Honey is a good friend. I remember when he was a student teacher. For me, it has been a wonderful place to work."

Mr. Tavares started his teaching career at Andrew Warde High School in 1962, just six years after it opened. He is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport, and he was a member of the first class to complete all four years at Bullard Havens Technical School in Bridgeport. "I began as a Math teacher," he said. "I taught Math for 13 or 14 years."

He made the move from the classroom to administration in 1973. "I was one of the first deans they had in the district," he said. "I enjoyed it. That was for about six years. There are so many positive influences a dean can have for youngsters. I found out that I could make a difference in a child's life."

Mr. Tavares recalls many people asked him why he wanted to become a dean. He told me that, "I actually enjoyed the six-years of being a dean the most." Mr. Tavares later became a housemaster at Andrew Warde High School and, after consolidation, Fairfield High School.

Naturally, after spending close to 40 years as a teacher, dean, and housemaster, it was very difficult for Mr. Tavares to step aside in 2001. "It was a lot more difficult on me than I thought it would be," he admitted. "When I made the announcement that I was going to retire, I couldn't stop crying. It was a very emotional time for me."

Mr. Tavares told me that Mr. Honey helped him get through his retirement party without breaking down. He thought he was going to "lose it" at the end, but he kept his composure throughout the farewell party.

Mr. Tavares was always well-liked at Andrew Warde High School. "I really enjoyed it," he said. "It has been a wonderful place to work."

Good luck in your busy "retirement," Mr. Tavares. We wish you well.

Paul

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