CFISD Named 2025 TAEA District of Distinction for Fifth Consecutive Year
For the fifth year in a row, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (CFISD) has earned the District of Distinction Award from the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA)—a statewide honor that recognizes exceptional commitment to high-quality visual arts education.
CFISD is among just 109 school districts in Texas to receive the distinction in 2025, out of more than 1,200 eligible districts. The award honors districts that meet a rigorous 14-point rubric, evaluating everything from visual art exhibitions and TAEA participation to cross-curricular integration and community engagement through events like Big Art Day.
“Our goal as art educators is to launch the next generation of future artists into impactful endeavors that help them grow, develop and showcase their creativity,” said Wauna Johnson, art teacher at Cypress Springs High School. “Promoting the arts in our community is a vital part of this mission. We make plans each year to ensure our art scholars can participate in the TAEA contests, exhibitions and community outreach collaborations such as Big Art Day. We are grateful that TAEA provides these opportunities for our young, creative artists.”
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What the TAEA District of Distinction Designation Means
Founded in 1919, TAEA is the professional association representing art educators across Texas. Its mission is to promote quality visual arts education by:
- Advancing professional knowledge and skills
- Providing service and leadership opportunities
- Conducting policy-relevant research
- Advocating for visual arts as essential in school curriculum
- Supporting student-centered programming like Youth Art Month (YAM) and the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE)
CFISD’s inclusion among TAEA's 2025 Districts of Distinction is a reflection of its robust programming that spans elementary through high school. Students participate in TEAM (elementary), Jr. VASE (middle school), and Sr. VASE (high school) competitions, contributing to statewide exhibitions and receiving recognition for their achievements.
Beyond contests, students are actively involved in advocacy-oriented events like Big Art Day, a TAEA initiative designed to raise awareness of art education as a creative force in Texas communities. Big Art Day events across the state include everything from mural dedications and sketch crawls to service-learning art fairs and gallery nights.
Why Arts Education Matters
According to Americans for the Arts, students engaged in arts education are not only four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, but they also demonstrate better attendance, lower disciplinary issues, and enhanced social-emotional development.
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Visual arts programs like those in CFISD help students become critical thinkers, communicators, and collaborators, preparing them for future careers that require innovation and problem-solving—skills in high demand across industries.
TAEA also emphasizes that visual literacy and self-expression are vital forms of communication in today’s global society, especially as technology evolves and creative thinking becomes a core competency.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Districts of Distinction will be formally recognized during the TAEA Fall Conference on November 21. For CFISD, this year’s award adds another milestone in its long-standing tradition of advocating for the arts, empowering educators, and inspiring students to explore the creative world around them.
To learn more about the Texas Art Education Association, visit www.taea.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
