Lichtblau names Fargo Public School District 2023 Teacher of the year

South High School vocal music teacher, Sara Lichtblau, has been named the Fargo Public Schools' 2023 Teacher of the year. Superintendent, Dr. Rupak Gandhi surprised her with an announcement at South High School on Thursday.

Lichtblau has served as the vocal music teacher at South since 2009, and a staff member said her impact on the school was felt immediately upon starting and has continued to be felt ever since. Her education career began as a K-12 vocal music teacher at Enderlin Public School in Enderlin, N.D., where she worked from 1998-2000. She was an elementary music teacher at Dilworth Elementary School in Dilworth, Minn. from 2000-09.

Lichtblau holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a master's degree in Choral Conducting from NDSU.

As a vocal music teacher at South, Lichtblau conducts the school's choirs and helps students to grow as musicians in both large group choral settings, small group and one-on-one vocal lessons. She prepares the students to perform at concerts and compete in Eastern Dakota conference and state choir competitions.

Lichtblau conducts South's audition choir, Belle Orso Vocci, and dedicates time for BOV to perform outside of school hours. BOV spreads holiday cheer with a caroling tour each December and is set to perform at Fargo's Patriots Day celebration this year. She coordinates choir students to perform the "Star-Spangled Banner" at nearly all Bruins athletic events. She even serves as the vocal music director and pit orchestra conductor for the South High Drama Club's annual musical productions.

She was named the North Dakota American Choral Directors Association Director of the Year in 2021, and the South High School Choir was selected as the Governor's Choir in 2011-12.

A staff member from South described Lichtblau as an irreplaceable instructor and a superstar teacher who has earned the esteem of students, parents, peers and principals. There is not a day that she does not have a smile on her face and a kind word to share. She believes and sees the best in people and helps them work towards their potential.

With this honor, Lichtblau will now be considered for the Cass County Teacher of the Year award. The Cass County Teacher of the Year is then forwarded to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction as a candidate for the North Dakota Teacher of the Year award.