Aug. 29, 2023 - The visual arts program at Comal ISD is among the top 1.3 percent of all visual arts programming in Texas. For the fifth consecutive year, Comal ISD has been named a District of Distinction award winner by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA), a distinction it has earned every year that the award has been available.
“This is a huge honor and testament to the dedication and passion that our teachers provide our students on a daily basis,” says Gary Cooper, the director of fine arts at Comal ISD.
In fact, Comal ISD is one of only 16 school districts in the state to achieve this honor for five consecutive years. This year, more than 1,200 districts were eligible to apply for this award and 68 districts are receiving the honor for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Districts received this 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.
Each district submitted documentation explaining how it met a 14-point rubric that includes participation in exhibitions, contests, community service, community engagement and collaboration with other content areas.
“Comal 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 Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA. “It is a true testament to the district’s 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.”
Congratulations!
-Students from Indian Springs Elementary were proud that their artwork was chosen to be displayed at the Comal ISD Fall Art Show in October 2022. The art shows are just one example of how Comal ISD encourages and promotes visual arts in its communities.
-Clear Spring Elementary student Khloe Reininger created the winning design for the ESC-20 Holiday Card in 2022. She is pictured here with the CSES art teacher Tammy Mendenhall who encouraged her and her classmates to enter the contest.