Schools
Janice K. Gabriel Named Newtown Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to this dedicated educator on being named for this most well-deserved honor.
NEWTOWN, CT - Newtown High School teacher Janice Gabriel has been named Newtown's Teacher of the Year. Ms. Gabriel, a NHS Theatre Arts/English Language Arts teacher, was notified of the honor before one of the days that the high school held graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020.
Ms. Gabriel is a co-founder of the Unified Theater program at Newtown High School and has served as the producer of many of the annual musicals done by Newtown High School Drama, including the spectacular LES MISERABLES in 2018 and EVITA in 2017.
The dedicated teacher became an educator ten years ago when she switched from a career in marketing. She started as a substitute teacher in Newtown and began to apply for several full-time positions before landing a part-time one. Eventually, she was able to secure a full-time position.
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“To have this honor, and, especially in such a difficult year, means that all the hard work I have put in and all the hours have been worth it,” Gabriel told the Newtown Bee.
Ms. Gabriel is also a talented community theatre performer. She made me laugh in GYPSY with Two Planks and I also enjoyed her performances in RENT and INTO THE WOODS in Brookfield.
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Performer Teah Renzi, who appeared in EVITA with the high school, posted her congratulations to her beloved former teacher:
YAY! I’m so proud to be one of her “kids”. I miss Janice K Gabriel so much! I hope to reunite with her very soon. Thank you so much for all that you taught me throughout high school. You supported me and helped me to become the performer that I am today. I hope to work with you again very soon, maybe we’ll be in a show together at some point.
