Twenty administrators were recently named Region Assistant Principals of the Year by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). The peer-based award recognizes assistant principals for their commitment to student learning as evidenced by exceptional school leadership. Naomi Gilbert, Assistant Principal at Bowie Elementary, was recently named as the TESPA Assistant Principal of the Year for Region 8.

Born and raised in Greenville, Gilbert is the daughter of Nancy and the late Jim Decker. Gilbert went to elementary school at Travis Elementary and graduated from Greenville High School in 2000, where she then attended the University of North Texas in Denton. Gilbert married her husband, Clint in June 2003 and graduated college in December of 2004. Upon Graduation, Gilbert began her career at Countrywide Home Loans as a mortgage processor and pursued her alternative teaching certification from Region 10.

 

Gilbert began teaching fourth grade at Lamar Elementary and then at the Sixth Grade Center. During that time, Gilbert pursued a Master degree in Educational Administration and graduated from Texas A&M University- Commerce in December of 2013. Gilbert then transitioned into the role of the literacy coach at Bowie Elementary, which opened the door for a move into her true passion of Administration. Gilbert has been the Assistant Principal at Bowie Elementary since July 2014. “My passion is kids and I love education,” said Gilbert “Building relationships is the key to helping them achieve,” she said. Gilbert and her husband have two beautiful children. Leah, who is seven and is a first grader at Bowie, and Jack, who is two years old.

One of the twenty regional Assistant Principals will be selected as the 2017 National Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas. Supported by Horace Mann, the national award recognizes leaders who are committed to excellence through programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students; have firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations; show strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students; and exhibit exceptional leadership in a particular school program.

Honorees will be recognized at the TEPSA Awards Reception Wednesday, June 14, at the Austin Renaissance Hotel.