Tomball ISD Honored with 2025 TAEA District of Distinction Award

TOMBALL – The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced the 109 winners of the 2025 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is Tomball ISD. The 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 connect learners to their community and beyond.

TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. The organization has previously honored outstanding TAEA members for work in their classrooms and districts. This is the seventh year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria as evidenced from data.

“Being named a TAEA District of Distinction for the second year in a row is a true reflection of the heart and hard work our fine arts teachers and students pour into their programs every single day,” said Paulette Tomlinson, Tomball ISD Director of Fine Arts. “So much of this happens beyond the regular school day — hours of lessons, shows, contests, and community events. This award belongs to them and to our Tomball community that supports and celebrates the arts. We are excited to officially receive this recognition this fall and look forward to celebrating our incredible team at an upcoming board meeting. I couldn’t be prouder to see their dedication honored in such a meaningful way.”

For the 2025 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2024-2025 school year. Only 109 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor indicating they are in the top 8 percent in art education of districts in the state.

“Tomball 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 continued to provide strong and comprehensive visual art educational experiences to students.”

109 districts, including Tomball ISD will be honored at the TAEA District of Distinction Awards Ceremony during the TAEA Fall Conference on Friday, November 21, 2025 in Round Rock.

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 2025-2026 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.

ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 23,000 students across 25 campuses.