Still "Shining" in Rye, New York

Dr. Edward Shine was the assistant headmaster at Andrew Warde High School from 1975 to 1978. He arrived at our school along with Headmaster Robert Genualdi in July of 1975.

Dr. Edward Shine has a passion for what he does. How else can you explain working on a few hours sleep and having a successful career for 41 years? The former assistant headmaster at Andrew Warde High School during our senior year has been the Superintendent of Schools in Rye, New York, the last 11 years.

"It's a little district," he told me on the telephone today from his home in Easton, where he returned at 3 o'clock this morning following last night's Board of Education meeting. His contract was extended for four more years.

What attracted him to the New York community? "I think its smallness. It has 2,900 kids in it," he said. "I know every teacher by name, and that lends itself to a sense of community and intimacy." The district has three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. One of the elementary schools, Osborn School, bears nearly the same name as of one of Fairfield's elementary schools.

Prior to coming to Rye, Dr. Shine was the superintendent at Grosse Point, Michigan, for 11 years. It was a larger district with 8,500 students, 12 elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. "I didn't know everybody by name," he admitted, citing a staff which included over 500 teachers and 1,000 employees. "It is much like Fairfield."

As for Fairfield, Dr. Shine remembers his days at Andrew Warde High School like they were yesterday. "I arrived there in July of 1975, and just prior to going there (headmaster) Ken Peterson decided to retire," he said. "Bob Genualdi and I came the same Summer." Prior to his arrival at the Warde campus, Dr. Shine was at rival Roger Ludlowe High School from 1974 to 1975.

"Those were three great years," he said about his time at Warde. "I learned a lot. The school was exciting. It was a great place to be." Dr. Shine returned to Ludlowe, though, as its headmaster from 1978 to 1985.

"Both schools were great," he acknowledged. "It was quite easy going back to Ludlowe because I knew everybody on the faculty. Those were exciting times. There was a healthy rivalry between Warde and Ludlowe. When I left (Ludlowe) in '85, we were on the precipice of making a decision to go to one high school. An opportunity to go to Grosse Point (MI) came along."

Ultimately, Mr. Genualdi became the headmaster at what would become Fairfield High School, while Dr. Shine packed his bags and headed to Michigan.

Dr. Shine told me he still has friends from everywhere he's taught. He stays in touch with former colleagues in Fairfield and Grosse Point. "I started teaching in the regional vocational technical schools in '66," he said. "Then I went to Willimantic. I still have friends everywhere."

According to the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 yearbook, Dr. Shine "really loves the people he works with, especially kids. When asked what single most important value he feels he possesses, he replied, 'I really love kids.' In his spare time, Dr. Shine sings and works in amateur theatre."

Does he still sing today? "Only in the shower," he joked. "My work is so consuming. I just don't have the time to work at it."

How much longer will he continue to serve as superintendent in Rye, New York? "This is my 41st year (in education)," the 63-year-old Dr. Shine told me. "Forty-five (years) sounds good."

Although Dr. Shine will most likely be remembered in Fairfield for his two stints at Ludlowe, including his role as headmaster at the Unquowa Road School, this typist recalls and admires Dr. Shine for his days at Warde during our senior year.

Dr. Shine is a dedicated, dignified professional educator and administrator. He, like several teachers and administrators from our days at Warde, is still working in his chosen field. I wish him well as he continues to "shine" as the superintendent of schools in Rye, New York.

Paul

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