(Frank Speziale Photo)

NORWICH – The Norwich City School District (NCSD) kicked off the 2019-2020 school year under the new leadership of Interim Superintendent, Diana Bowers with an award ceremony recognizing two employees of the district.

As part of the annual opening day session, new staff and faculty were welcomed and the vision for the upcoming school year was introduced, and the district also celebrated the accomplishments of two members of the NCSD family.

Officials presented awards to honor the 2019 Teacher of the Year, Sara Gilbeau, and the 2019 Employee of the Year, Richard Burton.

A representative of the school said Gilbeau has worked in the school district at Perry Browne since September 2013. She has spent the last six years teaching as a fifth grade elementary teacher.

Michelle Osterhoudt, Perry Browne Principal, presented the NCSD Teacher of the Year Award and shared many of Sara’s accomplishments in and out of the classroom.

School officials said Gilbeau is a graduate of SUNY Oswego. She began her teaching career in Raleigh, North Carolina, and then returned to New York and joined NCSD. In addition to teaching, she has been a member of the LINKS team for the last five years and the Mentor-Intern Program for three years.

Gilbeau was recognized for providing a safe and welcoming classroom for her students. Officials said she builds relationships with children that inspire them to achieve more, and she gives them the confidence to take risks in the learning process.