Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) recently announced that the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District is among only 42 school districts in the state and one of just two districts in the Rio Grande Valley to earn the 2020 District of Distinction Award.
According to TAEA, only the top four percent of districts in the state, including Edinburg CISD, received the honor this year for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and reach all different learners.
“We are excited and honored to receive this award from the Texas Art Education Association,” ECISD Fine Arts Director Nelinda Villarreal said. “This is something that is really special. It’s special for our visual arts teachers. It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication that they do every day in the classroom, inspiring and nurturing the creativity of our students.”
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 second year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria, as evidenced from data.
“Edinburg CISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity and community participation,” said Stacia Gower, Chair of the Administration and Supervision Division of TAEA. “With the challenges educators faced this past school year, it is a true testament to their skill, dedication, and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued strong and comprehensive.”
The Fine Arts Department has also won the Best Communities for Music Education award for five consecutive years. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation honored Edinburg CISD with the designation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
According to the NAMM Foundation, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement to provide music access and education to all students.
Edinburg CISD offers several Fine Arts courses that begin at the elementary school level and continue into the high school level, including music, choir, mariachi, guitar, art, band, and orchestra.
