McAllen ISD’s dedication to unlocking its students’ imagination in the visual arts continues to create dividends. McAllen ISD has earned the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) 2025 District of Distinction Award for the sixth consecutive year.
Only the top eight percent of Texas districts, including McAllen ISD, earned the honor this year.
“We are excited that the creativity and hard work of our outstanding teachers and talented students has been recognized,” McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. René Gutiérrez said. “Our community takes tremendous pride in our student achievements in both the visual arts and fine arts.”
For the 2025 award, more than 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2024-25 school year. Only 109 districts met the high standard. 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 connects learners to their community and beyond.
“McAllen ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” Nealy Holley, Chair of the Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA, said. “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.”
TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. This is the seventh year that TAEA has honored districts that met rigorous criteria based on data.
“The visual arts provide a forum for our students to channel their imagination,” McAllen ISD Fine Arts Director Debra Loya said. “Our visual arts students have consistently earned prestigious distinctions at both the regional and state level for many years.”
McAllen ISD will be honored at the TAEA District of Distinction Awards Ceremony during the TAEA Fall Conference on November 21 in Round Rock.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a three-time winner of the state’s highest rating, an “A,” and a five-time winner of the state’s Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction. In 2022, McAllen ISD was named the Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 20,000 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).
About TAEA District of Distinction Award
District of Distinction has just completed its seventh year and is looking forward to increased participation going into the 2025-26 school year. The Visual Art Administrators of Texas oversees the award program. The award honors school districts that are leading the way in the visual arts. The Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA, 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.