Georgetown ISD Fine Arts

GISD FINE ARTS TEACHERS OF THE MONTH

We’re excited to celebrate our September Fine Arts Teachers of the Month!

Congratulations to Mrs. Jill Colburn, Pat Cooper Elementary Music, and Mr. Justin Smith, Georgetown High School Band, on this well-deserved recognition!

Thank you both for the creativity, dedication, and passion you bring to your students and Fine Arts programs every day. We’re grateful for the impact you make across GISD!

A NIGHT OF TALENT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Who says Fine Arts teachers only make music and art with their students?

On Monday, September 28, GISD Fine Arts faculty from across the district will come together for an evening showcasing their own creativity and talents at Hammerlun Auditorium.

7:00 PM — Art Exhibit
Come explore artwork created by GISD Fine Arts faculty and see the incredible creativity happening beyond their classrooms.

7:30 PM — Recital Performance
Then, enjoy an evening of live music featuring GISD Fine Arts faculty from across the district.

These are the people who spend their days teaching students to create, perform, take risks, find their voice, and share their talents — and on this night, we get to see them do the same.

Come celebrate the artists and musicians who inspire our students every day.

Because apparently, our Fine Arts teachers really do You Can Do Both.

WHAT YOU SEE IS ONLY PART OF THE PICTURE.

These students are doing more than one thing. They're pursuing different passions, challenging themselves, and finding ways to grow.

But when we look at their Fine Arts experiences, we see even more.

We see leadership, confidence, discipline, creativity, communication, collaboration, courage, and perseverance.

We see students learning to listen, work together, take risks, step into leadership, and find their voice.

That's the beauty of giving students the opportunity to pursue more than one passion. Whether those passions are found on the field, on the stage, or in multiple Fine Arts spaces, each experience gives students another opportunity to grow.

What you see on the outside is only part of the picture. Fine Arts helps shape what happens on the inside, too.

Turns out, “doing both” can build a whole lot more.

Celebrating Our Creative Students

Nearly three out of four GISD students are tapping into their creative side this year!

That’s roughly 10,800 students enrolled in at least one Fine Arts class—whether they are picking up an instrument, stepping onto the stage, or bringing a visual masterpiece to life.

Seeing our students express themselves and grow through the arts is one of the best parts of what we do.

We would love to hear from you: What was the fine arts class that shaped your school experience? Share your favorite memories in the comments!

In GISD, choir is more than just singing — it’s a powerful community where students learn to listen deeply and connect with one another. From mastering breath control to weaving complex multi-part harmonies, students turn individual dedication into a unified, resonant sound.

Through choral music, students build emotional intelligence, resilience, and lifelong confidence while discovering the joy of artistic connection. These essential skills extend far beyond the stage — preparing them for college, careers, and collaborative leadership in any field.

What do Fine Arts teachers do in the summer? And what happens when summer comes to an end? They get back to learning, creating, and preparing for a new year!

As GISD teachers returned for professional development and in-service training this week, our elementary Art and Music teachers jumped right back into learning, collaboration, and preparing for the year ahead.

Our elementary Art teachers worked with guest presenter Lori Wallace exploring TAB (Teaching Artistic Behavior) classrooms and ways to encourage student choice, creativity, and active engagement. Teachers experienced the process firsthand through hands-on art centers and exploration of different materials and techniques.

Our elementary Music team learned with QuaverEd representative Nigel Croston, exploring new features, content updates, and instructional tools. As GISD's adopted elementary music curriculum, the training gave teachers new ideas for integrating QuaverEd into engaging, standards-aligned instruction. QuaverEd is also currently part of the Texas state instructional materials adoption process, making this an exciting time to explore what’s ahead.

From summer planning and collaboration to professional learning as we head back to school, our Fine Arts teachers continue investing in their craft—and ultimately, in our students.

The school year is almost here, and our Fine Arts teachers are ready!

What do Fine Arts teachers do in the summer? They welcome students back and kick off another year of excellence.

Marching band season is officially underway at Georgetown High School and East View High School! As students and directors returned to the field for summer band camp, the GISD Fine Arts office made its annual visit to celebrate the incredible work already taking place and thank our students, directors, and staff for their dedication and hard work.

Long before the first football game or halftime performance, countless hours are spent rehearsing music, learning drill, building leadership, and creating the traditions that make marching band such a memorable part of the high school experience.

Marching Band and Color Guard truly create the soundtrack of high school life, and we can't wait to see what the Eagles and Patriots accomplish this season!

What do Fine Arts teachers do in the summer? They continue learning alongside one another.

This summer, GISD art teachers came together for a series of Art Teacher Professional Development sessions, exploring a different artistic technique or medium at each meeting while working together in an open studio environment.

Beyond creating art, these sessions provided opportunities to exchange lesson ideas, discuss classroom and materials management, collaborate on problem-solving, and share instructional strategies that will benefit students across the district.

One of the greatest strengths of GISD Fine Arts is the community our teachers have built. By learning from one another, sharing ideas, and growing together, they continue to strengthen the experiences they'll bring back to their classrooms this fall.

What do Fine Arts teachers do in the summer? They create opportunities for students to lead, learn, and connect.

This summer, the East View Patriot Band has been busy preparing for another outstanding year. The EVPB Drum Majors attended ETAMU Drum Major Camp, where they learned from some of the top music educators in Texas and strengthened the leadership skills they'll bring back to their program.

The EVPB also partnered with the Georgetown High School Band to host the SASI Leadership Camp, welcoming student leaders from across the area for several days of leadership development, collaboration, and unforgettable memories.

Most recently, incoming freshmen participated in a two-day band camp led by the student leadership team, where they were introduced to the traditions, expectations, and culture of the East View Patriot Band while beginning to build relationships with their fellow band members.

Long before the first football game or marching competition, Fine Arts teachers are investing in the people who make their programs successful—building leaders, strengthening relationships, and laying the foundation for an incredible year ahead.