The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) has named Emme Siburt, principal of Abilene High School, the 2024 School Principal of the Year.

At the state-wide conference each year, the TEAE celebrates outstanding art educators and contributors to art education in Texas. The Principal of the Year award goes to one non-TAEA member school administrator in Texas. Siburt’s designation distinguishes her as a principal who has demonstrated exceptional support for art education and the visual arts, a recognition that is both appreciative and respectful of her unique qualities.

Abilene ISD’s Fine Arts Coordinator Brady Sloane-Duncan nominated Siburt for the award. The TAEA School Principal of the Year award recognizes principals demonstrating unusual support for visual arts education. 

“Emme Siburt is determined to offer quality visual arts programming to our students and works closely with the fine arts department regarding equipment, supplies, and best practices,” Sloane-Duncan said. “Her caring personality shines the most when it comes to championing students. Last year, she sent a class to Austin to celebrate a fellow student’s acceptance in a state-level exhibition. And she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She tracked down and retrieved a lost AP Art portfolio (an entire year’s worth of art projects) from a dumpster after being mistakenly thrown away. We are fortunate to have Emme Siburt as principal of Abilene High and are thrilled to celebrate her award.”

AISD Executive Director of Fine Arts Clay Johnson has worked with Siburt as the band director at Cooper when she was an assistant principal, as one of her assistant principals at Abilene High, and now as the leader of AISD’s fine arts program. He said her support of fine arts has been unwavering, creating a supportive campus community.

“Mrs. Siburt has been intentional about learning the world of fine arts and has become one of our strongest advocates in Abilene ISD,” Johnson said. “Each day, she does everything she can to ensure all programs have the resources to thrive. That support is felt across the Abilene High campus. We are so proud of Mrs. Siburt and this recognition for her, Abilene High and AISD.”

In her fourth year as principal at Abilene High, Siburt emphasized the essential role of fine arts—visual arts, band, choir, theatre, and orchestra—in student development.

“Art education in schools is crucial as it nurtures creativity, fosters critical thinking, and cultivates empathy, all essential skills for navigating a complex and diverse world,” she said. “It allows students to portray the world through their lens and allows a window into their perspective on life.”

Siburt will receive her award at the TAEA Fall Conference General Session, Nov. 14-16, at Moody Gardens in Galveston.