August 29, 2025 - For the seventh consecutive year, Comal ISD has been awarded the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) visual arts award and is a 2025 District of Distinction Award honoree. Only 16 school districts have achieved this honor every year the award has been available, placing Comal ISD in the top 1.3 percent of all visual art programs in Texas.
“This award is truly a testament to the passion and expertise of our 55 art educators from elementary through high school,” says Gary Cooper, director of fine arts for Comal ISD. “They not only provide technical and creative instruction to our students but also opportunities to share their work through contests and community partnerships, giving young artists confidence in their skills and talent.”
In fact, during the school year, art students throughout Comal ISD entered contests with great success including taking a few top honors at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Western Art Contest, two Gold Seal Award honorees in the State Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE), student artwork displayed at New Braunfels ER office, New Braunfels Art Council Gallery Show, the Seguin Art Gallery Show and more.
This year, more than 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.
Comal ISD 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.
As the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state, TAEA honors districts that meet rigorous criteria as evidenced from data.
“Comal 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 the district’s 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.”
Comal ISD will be honored at the TAEA District of Distinction Awards Ceremony during the TAEA Fall Conference on Friday, Nov. 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.
Comal ISD Elementary Art Teachers
Dorothy Runyen, Arlon Seay Elementary; Melanie Chaffin, Bill Brown Elementary; Gina Kustelski, Clear Spring Elementary; Jasmine Ryan, Comal Creek Elementary; Daniele Parker, Farias Spitzer Elementary; Courtney Grundei, Freiheit Elementary; Rachelle Ortiz, Garden Ridge Elementary; Kerstan Copeland, Goodwin Frazier Elementary; Adam Voglewede, Hoffmann Lane Elementary; Amy Groesbeck, Indian Springs Elementary; Olivia Dillon, Johnson Ranch Elementary; Juanita Gatrelle, Kinder Ranch Elementary; Emma Thibodeaux, Mayfair Elementary; Kimberly Klingaman, Morningside Elementary; Taylor Murrow, Mountain Valley Elementary; Walter Menchaca, Oak Creek Elementary; Charis Taylor, Rahe Bulverde Elementary; Kimi Long, Rebecca Creek Elementary; Anna Wood, Specht Elementary; Jennifer Eskew, Startzville Elementary; and Jill Corona, Timberwood Park Elementary.
Comal ISD Middle School Art Teachers
Casi Corbin and Staci Teague, Bulverde Middle; Jared Durham, Emily Lyons and Donna Mial-Gary, Canyon Middle; Kendra Ferrell and Carrie Wenner, Church Hill Middle; Heather Dunn and Christina Hallum, Danville Middle; John Payne and Angel Reynaud, Mountain Valley Middle; Kourtney Reffell, Edyta Ellison and Mindy Randolph, Pieper Ranch Middle; Alana Pauley and Shannon Thomas, Smithson Valley Middle; and Joanne Doll, Spring Branch Middle.
Comal ISD High School Art Teachers
Catherine Deatherage, Kendyl Estrada, Kristopher Jorgensen and Holly Spandau, Canyon High; Heidi Myklebust and Kara Stracener, Canyon Lake High; James Collins and Lauren George, Davenport High; Natalie Jones, Hill Country College Preparatory High; Ashley Buehler and Lynn Odom, Memorial Early College High; Meagan Ramsey and Jennifer Snellings, Pieper High; Julie Ebarb, Lizette Floyd and Natalie Munoz, Smithson Valley High; and Andre DeGroote, Comal Discipline Center.
Photo Description
-A Canyon Lake High School student works on her design for the 2024 San Antonio Western Art Contest.