The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced the 94 winners of the 2024 District of Distinction Award, with McKinney ISD among the honorees. These districts were recognized for offering a comprehensive education that champions and incorporates a visual arts curriculum, inspiring creativity and fostering social-emotional learning to connect students with their community and beyond.
TAEA is the foremost advocate for visual arts in the state. The organization has a history of recognizing exceptional TAEA members for their contributions in classrooms and districts. This year marks the fifth time TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria.
In 2024, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district provided documentation demonstrating compliance with a 14-point rubric over the 2023-2024 school year. Only 94 districts met the high standards, placing them in the top 5.5 percent for art education in the state.
“The McKinney ISD Visual Art team has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” Chair of the Visual Art Administrators of Texas Nealy Holley said in an official statement. “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.”
According to the district, McKinney ISD employs 43 visual arts teachers who educate over 13,000 students across 29 campuses. Each year, these teachers inspire students to create thousands of artworks, which are showcased in exhibits on campuses, throughout the district, in the community, and in art shows and competitions across the state. MISD art teachers motivate and challenge their students to beautify the world through creativity, service learning, and critical thinking.
"I am incredibly proud of McKinney ISD's Visual Art team. McKinney ISD has the very best staff around and this award is a reflection of that," said Shawn Pratt, McKinney ISD superintendent.
All winning districts will be honored at the TAEA administration and supervision division meeting and general session during the TAEA fall conference general assembly on Nov. 15, 2024.
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