Texarkana ISD Wins 2022 TAEA District of Distinction Award
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Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Tyson Feemster, Patsy Griffin, Loren Smith, Teya Sherman, Shea Phillips, Giselle Galvan, Tamii Whitworth
Not Pictured: Brian Beard, Gina Wakefield, Haylie Frachiseur, Kelsey Padget, Sara Eckstein, Donna Moore, Casey Grant, Lindsay Foster
The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced the 59 winners of the 2022 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is Texarkana ISD. The districts received the honor for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connect learners to their community and beyond.
TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. The organization has previously honored outstanding TAEA members for work in their classrooms and districts. This is the fourth year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria as evidenced from data.
For the 2022 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2021-2022 school year. Only 59 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor indicating they are in the top 4 percent in art education of districts in the state.
“Texarkana ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” said Sandra Newton, Chair of the Administration and Supervision Division of TAEA. “It is a true testament to your visual art educators’ skill, dedication, and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued to provide strong and comprehensive visual art educational experiences to students.”
Dr. Doug Brubaker, Superintendent of TISD, added, “We are very excited that Texarkana ISD has been honored by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) with its 2022 District of Distinction Award. Our Visual Arts students and staff members continue to make our school district and community very proud!”
Fifty-nine districts, including Texarkana ISD will be honored at the TAEA Administration & Supervision Division meeting and General Session during the TAEA Fall Conference General Assembly on Friday, November 10, 2022.
Shea Phillips, Texas High School Fine Arts Department Chair said, “The Texarkana ISD Visual Arts Department is made up of a dedicated team of fine arts specialists across all our campuses. We are extremely proud of the work we do all year long to excel in the visual arts and are so honored to be recognized with this prestigious award. We are so proud of our hardworking educators, administrators, and students who put in countless hours towards this distinction. TISD is the place to be for Visual Arts!”
Find TAEA Online:
Website: www.taea.org
Twitter: @TXarted
Facebook: @TexasArtEducationAssociation
About TAEA District of Distinction Award: District of Distinction has just completed its fourth year and is looking forward to increased participation going into the 2022-2023 school year. The Administration and Supervision division oversees the award program. The award honors school districts that are leading the way in the visual arts. The TAEA Administration and Supervision Division recognizes districts with outstanding leadership in promoting the arts in their district and community. TAEA wants to identify districts that are actively participating members in areas such as VASE, Junior VASE, and TEAM as a few examples. The organization also looks at field experiences, community service, and community exhibitions to name a few as part of the rigorous rubric for the award.
About TAEA: TAEA is the largest state professional organization for art educators in the United States. It is the mission of TAEA to promote quality visual arts education through leadership, advocacy, service, and professional development.