TEMPLE, Texas — Temple Independent School District is one of just 109 school districts from across the state to win the Texas Art Education Association’s (TAEA) 2025 District of Distinction Award. The award recognizes districts for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connect learners to their community and beyond. Only the top 8% of districts in the state earned the honor this year.
For the 2025 District of Distinction Awards, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from a 14-point rubric over the 2024-2025 school year. The winning districts met or exceeded that rigorous rubric that examined their participation in TAEA through membership, exhibitions, contests, and community engagement in the visual arts through field experiences, community service, and collaboration with other content areas. In the letter notifying Temple ISD of its award, the TAEA expressed that the organization was impressed and proud of TISD’s level of participation in visual art learning experiences at all grade levels. The District of Distinction just completed its seventh year, and 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 in areas such as Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE), Junior VASE, and Texas Elementary Art Meet (TEAM), as a few examples.
“We are proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of our art students and teachers,” said Catrina Lotspeich, director of Fine Arts for Temple schools. “The TISD art department is dedicated to helping students grow as artists and creators, and their success at VASE, Junior VASE, and TEAMS, highlights just how hard they have worked. In addition to shows and competitions, our teachers also bring art to the entire Temple community with hands-on events throughout the year. Their commitment to students and passion for art education make this recognition truly well-deserved.”
During the 2024-2025 school year, Temple ISD won 21 medals at the high school VASE competition and added 22 medals at the middle school Junior VASE competition – including four platinum medals. TISD visual arts also hosted more than 160 families for two parent involvement art events and students and staff completed over 450 hours of community service and field experience.
“Fine Arts in Temple ISD is more than the various disciplines – it is an experience and an expectation of excellence rooted in this community for decades. Our visual arts program is loaded with talent and creativity, and we are so thankful to have the students, staff, and supportive community involved in our arts program,” said Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of schools for Temple ISD. “We are honored to represent less than 10% of the school districts in Texas to receive such a prestigious honor and will continue this tradition of excellence in Temple, Texas.”
Temple ISD and the other 2025 District of Distinction Award winners will be honored at the TAEA District of Distinction Awards Ceremony during the TAEA Fall Conference on Friday, November 21, in Round Rock. 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.
“Temple ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” said Nealy Holley, Chair of the Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA. “It is a true testament to your visual art educators’ skill, dedication, and flexibility, that the quality of their programs continues to provide strong and comprehensive visual art educational experiences to students.”