Spring ISD Earns First-Ever Texas Thespians Premier Communities for Theatre Education Award
Spring Independent School District has reached a historic milestone in arts education, earning its first-ever Texas Thespians Premier Communities for Theatre Education Award. The recognition, presented by the Texas Thespians Educational Theatre Association, places Spring ISD among just 21 school districts across Texas to receive the prestigious districtwide honor—highlighting the growing strength of theatre education in one of the region’s largest and most diverse school systems.
The award recognizes districts that go beyond basic requirements to provide meaningful, well-supported theatre programs aligned with the Educational Theatre Association’s Opportunity to Learn Standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Fine Arts, and active participation in the International Thespian Society (ITS). For Spring ISD, the designation reflects years of intentional planning, expanded access, and renewed investment in performing and visual arts programs that serve students across multiple campuses.
“I am incredibly proud of our entire Performing and Visual Arts team for their dedication and commitment to our students,” said David Tijerina-Landgrebe, Spring ISD’s Director of Performing and Visual Arts. “While Spring ISD has long excelled in music and visual arts, this year we placed a renewed focus on strengthening Theatre and Dance across the district. Our goal is for all PVA programs to earn A or B ratings, and this recognition shows the progress we are making.”
Spring ISD—serving more than 30,000 students in northern Harris County—qualified for the award for the first time largely due to the strengthening of middle school theatre programs and the reinstatement of the theatre program at Wells Middle School during the current school year. District leaders say these steps were critical in creating a more complete theatre pipeline, ensuring students can explore and build skills consistently as they move from middle school into high school programs.
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“Our Arts Integration Coordinator, Johnny Williams, played an instrumental role in leading and supporting the submission process for this statewide award,” added Tijerina-Landgrebe. “This achievement represents a true team effort and a strong commitment to strengthening theatre education across all grade levels.”
While the recognition reflects program quality and access, district leaders emphasize that its real impact is felt most clearly in students’ lives. Theatre education in Spring ISD supports not only artistic expression, but also confidence, collaboration, discipline, and academic growth—skills that extend far beyond the stage.
“Being part of the theatre program at Spring High School taught me strong time management, discipline, and creative problem solving,” said Abeer Siddiqui, a student at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School who participates in the Spring High School theatre program. “Theatre helped me earn my teachers’ trust as they see how I balance a demanding schedule. Most importantly, it has opened doors for my college life by creating scholarship opportunities that allow me to pursue a medical pathway in college while continuing my love for the arts. Theatre hasn’t taken away from my academics—it has strengthened them and expanded my future career goals.”
Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar said the award reflects a shared sense of urgency and accountability across the district as it continues to balance academic achievement with strong arts programming.
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“This is a historic milestone for Spring ISD and a powerful signal that we are entering a new era of excellence,” Cuellar said. “I am most proud of our students and our Performing and Visual Arts team, and of the urgency we are bringing to both academic achievement and arts education. This recognition confirms that we are moving this district forward with purpose and accountability.”
The honor also connects Spring ISD to a broader statewide and national theatre education network. Texas Thespians, the state affiliate of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), is the largest chapter in the nation, representing more than 16,000 middle and high school students across over 600 troupes. Through festivals, workshops, competitions, and professional development, the organization promotes excellence in theatre education and student achievement across Texas.
For Spring ISD families, educators, and students, the Premier Communities for Theatre Education Award signals more than recognition—it represents growing opportunity. As theatre programs continue to expand and strengthen, district leaders say the focus remains on ensuring that every student has access to creative learning experiences that support both personal growth and future success.
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.