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Warm and excited faces greet Principal Gene Nyitray when he walks into any classroom at New Lebanon School in Greenwich, which makes it hard for him to retire. But after seven years of leading the school, Nyitray said he feels confident about his accomplishments and will leave as of July 1.
"It was a hard decision [to retire]," Nyitray said with a smile. "I feel very connected to the school. You just have to walk through it. The kids are extraordinarily lovely, and the teachers are very dedicated to what they do. I am leaving the school in a good place."
Nyitray, affectionately known as "Big Dog" by Ms. Weaver's first-grade class, joined Greenwich Public Schools in 2004 after working more than 30 years in education in New York. He said one of his most significant achievements was bringing the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme into New Lebanon. "It really focuses on inquiry, student research and students being able to express what they've learned," he said. "It puts the emphasis on the students instead of the teacher."
This isn't Nyitray's first try at retirement. In 2004, he was scheduled to retire from Valley Stream School District on Long Island, N.Y., but said it lasted only a day. "I retired too soon from my previous job, but I also felt when I did retire that I was ready for more challenges," he said. "I plan to make it more than two days this time."
This summer Nyitray said he wants to pursue his passions for photography, travel and being a full-time grandfather. "One thing I do know is that I will be playing golf on July 1," he said.
Do you know Principal Gene Nyitray? How has his administration helped your child? Leave your thoughts below or send them to acorbett@mainstreetconnect.us.
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