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EMS ISD Recognized as One of the Nation's Best Communities for Music Education for 13th Consecutive Year

For Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, music education is about more than performances and awards. It is about creating opportunities for every student to discover their talents, build confidence and develop skills that last a lifetime.

That commitment has once again earned national recognition.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD has been named one of the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation, marking the 13th consecutive year the district has received the prestigious honor.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation recognizes school districts across the nation that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. To earn the recognition, districts complete a comprehensive application detailing funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instructional time, facilities, support for music programs and community music-making opportunities.

"This recognition reflects what we believe at EMS ISD, that every student deserves the opportunity to experience the power of music as part of a well-rounded education," said Carla Hardy, EMS ISD director of fine arts. "Receiving this honor for the 13th consecutive year is a testament to our dedicated teachers, supportive leadership, families and community members who continue to invest in meaningful opportunities for our students."

The NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education program celebrates school districts that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality music education.

"Our community understands that fine arts are an essential part of preparing students for success," Hardy said. "We are grateful for the continued support of our music programs and look forward to creating even more opportunities for students to learn, grow and shine."

Receiving this recognition for the 13th straight year reflects EMS ISD's long-standing commitment to providing students with enriching educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom. From elementary music programs to award-winning middle and high school ensembles, students have opportunities to develop creativity, collaboration and confidence through music at every stage of their educational journey.

We are #EMSProud to once again be recognized as one of the nation's Best Communities for Music Education.

EMS ISD is proud to announce that Tracy Smith has been named the next principal of High Country Elementary School. Smith brings 14 years of experience in public education as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, along with a strong belief in the power of relationships to create thriving school communities.

Smith joins Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD after serving in Fort Worth ISD, where she spent six years as an assistant principal and five years as a principal. Her career began at Crowley Middle School, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year before continuing her leadership journey in Fort Worth ISD.

“I am excited to join Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD and serve a community that my family has proudly called home for the past five years,” Smith said. “As a parent of children who attend EMS ISD schools, I have experienced firsthand the district’s commitment to students, families and excellence in education. I look forward to partnering with the High Country community to support students, empower educators and continue a tradition of excellence.”

Smith’s leadership is grounded in the belief that strong relationships are the foundation of great schools. She is passionate about supporting students, empowering educators and partnering with families to create opportunities for every child to thrive. “Ms. Smith is a relational and experienced leader who understands the important connection between students, staff and families,” said Beth Sanders, executive director of elementary services. “Her experience as both a campus principal and an EMS ISD parent gives her a meaningful perspective, and we are excited for the leadership she will bring to High Country Elementary.”

Outside of school, Smith and her family have proudly called the EMS ISD community home for the past five years. As a district parent, she brings a personal connection to the work of serving students and families across Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.

Please join us in welcoming Tracy Smith to High Country Elementary School.

EMS ISD celebrated an exciting milestone this summer with the launch of its inaugural TeachFest, a dynamic new professional learning experience designed to energize, empower, and elevate educators as they prepare for the year ahead.

TeachFest 2026 took place June 15-17 at Eagle Mountain High School and welcomed approximately 450 EMS ISD educators over the course of three days. The multi-day event marked a bold step forward in how EMS ISD approaches professional learning by offering educators a flexible, engaging and impactful experience tailored to their individual needs and goals.

Participants had the opportunity to attend one, two, or all three days, building their own personalized professional learning journey. Modeled as an “all-star training camp” for educators, TeachFest encouraged participants to “build their own playbook” by selecting sessions that aligned with their interests, campus needs, content areas and professional goals.

“TeachFest represents more than a single event. It signals a shift in culture,” said Dr. Walter Berringer, Deputy Superintendent. “This experience reflects our commitment to empowering teacher voice and leadership, promoting collaboration across campuses and content areas, and delivering professional learning that is relevant, differentiated and meaningful for our educators.”

What makes TeachFest especially meaningful is its foundation. The event it was built by educators, for educators. The event brought together EMS ISD teachers and leaders, along with experienced professionals and partners, to facilitate sessions that were both practical and inspiring.

Throughout the three days, educators participated in a wide variety of sessions focused on research-based instructional strategies, differentiation and scaffolding practices to support diverse learner needs, innovative technology tools that enhance teaching and learning and specialized sessions supporting areas such as special education, gifted and talented education, and more.

Beyond the session content, TeachFest was designed to be a true professional learning experience. The event created space for collaboration, connection and celebration, allowing educators to learn from one another, share best practices and build momentum heading into the new school year.

“The energy around TeachFest was remarkable,” Berringer said. “This was not just about attending sessions. It was about igniting passion, sparking innovation, and strengthening the collective efficacy of our teaching community. When educators have opportunities to learn from one another and take ownership of their growth, our students ultimately benefit.”

TeachFest also reinforced EMS ISD’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and investing in the growth and success of staff. By celebrating the expertise within the district and creating opportunities for educators to lead and learn together, EMS ISD continues to strengthen a culture of collaboration and excellence.

As TeachFest grows in the years ahead, district leaders hope it will continue to serve as a meaningful professional learning experience that inspires educators, supports strong instruction, and helps prepare every classroom for a successful school year.

Elementary PACE (gifted and talented) students across Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD once again took center stage during this year’s Evening with the Experts, sharing weeks of independent research, creativity and learning with families, staff and community members.

This year’s Evening with the Experts included district showcase events at Chisholm Trail High School for Chisholm Trail and Saginaw feeder campuses, along with campus-based presentations for Boswell and Eagle Mountain feeder campuses. These exciting events gave students across EMS ISD the opportunity to proudly present their work and engage with visitors.

From science and technology to history, culture and personal passions, students explored a wide range of topics through detailed displays, visuals and interactive conversations. Cafeterias, libraries and hallways were transformed into exhibition spaces as students confidently explained their learning and answered questions from guests.

“Table after table, I saw students explaining their learning, answering great questions, and living out our mission that calls us to spark a ‘...passion for a lifetime…’” Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth, EMS ISD Superintendent, said. “In short, it was a beautiful thing to behold.”

The event is a hallmark of the district’s PACE program, encouraging students to pursue topics they are passionate about while strengthening research, communication and presentation skills. Throughout the showcases, students demonstrated not only academic growth, but also confidence, curiosity and pride in their work.

As guests moved from project to project, the energy throughout each event reflected the meaningful learning experiences happening across Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD. Evening with the Experts continues to celebrate student voice, creativity and the passion for learning that extends far beyond the classroom.