A press release detailed the Texas Art Education Association announced Ector County Independent School District is one of 40 winners of the 2021 District of Distinction Award.
Districts received the honor for providing a well-rounded education that advocates for and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connects learners to their community and beyond.
“I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment of our ECISD Visual Arts team,” Executive Director of Fine Arts, Aaron Hawley, stated in the press release. “We have been working diligently for the past two years to be named a TAEA District of Distinction. It is a testament to the hard work of our team that we were able to be successful.”
This is the third year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria, the press release stated. The award goes to school districts that are leading the way in the visual arts, and recognizes outstanding leadership in promoting the arts in their district and community. For the 2021 award, more than 1,100 districts were eligible to apply, indicating ECISD is among the top 4 percent of districts in art education in the state.
Students’ strong participation and success in contests like VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) and Junior VASE, taking part in Texas Big Art Day, field experiences like trips to museums, a regular presence on social media platforms, innovative projects like Permian High School’s CAT Magazine and sculpture garden, district Art Shows, and participation in the TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) Art Exhibit and the Texas Capitol Art Exhibit are all criteria that weigh into ECISD’s selection.
“Ector County ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” Stacia Gower, Chair of the Administration and Supervision Division of TAEA, stated in the press release. “The past school year, educators faced a great many challenges associated with constantly changing guidelines and instruction procedures as well as participation in contest and visual art events. It is a true testament to our visual art educators’ skill, dedication, and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued strong and comprehensive.”
ECISD and the other districts will be honored at the TAEA Administration & Supervision Division meeting and during the TAEA Fall Conference General Assembly on Nov. 5.
