"Our partnership with Enhance the Arts for program evaluations and professional development has resulted in unprecedented growth for our program. Their in-depth evaluations have provided us with data to work towards increased staffing and budget, master schedule alignment, and an additional Fine Arts administrator!"
Michael Murdoch
Director of Fine Arts, Beaumont ISD
"I want to thank you for your mentorship and work towards the New Braunfels Program Review. Already, positive conversations have taken place since receiving the report, and I know we will continue t build off the foundation you provided."
Martin Lenard
Director of Fine Arts, New Braunfels ISD
"I must say that the program review that Jim Van Zandt and his team performed is very thorough and timely with their recommendations. This is my second school district where I’ve partnered with ETA, and this review has allowed me to make many changes that were needed with my programs, and has even paved the way for my department to be included in two Bond projects that have both passed! I highly recommend ETA to districts. Do not hesitate, it is well worth it!"
Renferd Joseph, Director of Fine Arts
Alief Independent School District
“Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us yesterday. I’ve received so much positive feedback on your presentations—you were spot on with what our teachers needed to hear!”
Rebecca O’Donovan
Fine Arts Director, Northwest ISD
"I cannot wait to roll my sleeves up with your findings and recommendations and GET TO WORK!! Your tips and suggestions have given me a whole new direction!
Dinah Menger, Director of Choral and Elementary Music, Fort Worth ISD
Past President, Texas Music Educators Association
“Thanks so much for coming to work with our music staff! I really like how comprehensive your session was. It felt to me like a compilation of the very best TMEA/TODA/ASTSA sessions that have been compiled over time. I also wanted to thank you for the handouts so that I can pick out items and do my own deep dives into topics that will improve my teaching.”
Jason Hooper
Director of Orchestras
College Station High School
“Jim and his team of highly qualified evaluators made a huge impact on our fine arts program. They came into our classrooms with kindness and efficiency, and reviewed every aspect of our programs. They put the teachers at ease and didn’t distract from the lessons being taught. I appreciated the attention to detail in the reporting process. With their help, we were able to show the data necessary to increase both staffing and budgets, and to develop a long-range plan to better serve our students. Without hesitation, I recommend Enhance the Arts!”
Jay Lester, Executive Director of Fine Arts
Abilene Independent School District
"Thank you so much for working with our district to evaluate our arts programs. It was great to get quality feedback form highly qualified experienced arts professionals. The entire experience helped us to gain a fresh perspective!"
Sandra Newton, Director of Visual and Performance Arts
Tyler ISD
"Jim and his team are tremendous! This was as thorough an evaluation of our programs as one could possibly imagine. The end result sits on my desk and serves as a reference manual many times per week."
Glenn Lambert, Executive Director of Fine Arts
Wylie ISD
"Mr. Van Zandt and his highly qualified staff provided Pflugerville ISD with an assessment that clearly defined the needs of our district. Enhance the Arts has been amazing to work with and their feedback was exceptional. I highly recommend Mr. Van Zandt and his team to be a part of your process when developing norms and expectations for Fine Arts."
Manuel Gamez, Director of Fine Arts
Pflugerville ISD
“Your review has been very helpful to my team as we work to transform how we do business in Manor ISD. Your comments were spot on, and gave my teachers the critical feedback they needed to improve our teaching and learning. The orientation you conducted prior to the class visits definitely put my teachers at ease…, and your pedagogical advice paid off in real time with my programs.”
Renferd Joseph, Former Director of Fine Arts
Manor Independent School District
“Jim Van Zandt walked into our district with such positive energy that our staff galvanized together for the first time. Moreover, he provided a wealth of information and consultation to Comal ISD as we sought to understand our current context with music and arts education, and to forge ahead to ensure that we do not leave this important content behind. I would recommend him again and again and am looking forward to him working with our new fine arts director as a mentor/coach.”
Andrew B. Kim, Superintendent of Schools
Comal ISD
"Jim’s presentations were relevant and comprehensive, and covered a variety of topics including tips for improving the beginner band program, fine arts advocacy and building relationships, and conducting engaging rehearsals. One of the most unique sessions was a presentation for the entire K-12 music staff on vertical alignment in the total music program. It really helped my teachers at every level understand the value of common language and instructional practices. We hope to have him back again!"
Karen Herrera, ED.D, Director of Fine Arts
Killeen ISD
“Jim Van Zandt's fine arts program review provided Hays CISD with a comprehensive look at our programs K – 12. Jim's experience and knowledge put our administrators and teachers at ease while he worked in our district. The program evaluation has allowed for open and honest dialogue regarding all of our programs.”
Betsy Russell, Former Director of Student Programs
Hays Consolidated Independent School District
"Thank you so much for coming out and sharing your vast wealth of knowledge with the SFA music students! I really appreciate the amount of thought and detail that you put into this. Your handouts are now legendary!"
Fred J. Allen, Director of Bands (Retired)
Stephen F. Austin State University
“Thank you again for such a dynamic and rich presentation! You have really inspired me and I look forward to implementing your ideas that will support our fine arts programs to perform at consistently high levels throughout the district. Your training provided much needed inspiration and eye opening truths about the importance of fine arts advocacy. I know our teachers got a LOT out of it and were thankful as well! We are very grateful for your insight and guidance as we raise the bar in the fine arts!”
Jenny Parry, Former Coordinator of Fine Arts
Del Valle ISD
“For me as the first-ever Fine Arts Director in Rockwall ISD, Jim's help and guidance has proven to be my most valuable resource! Jim spent four days in our district with all fine arts strands K-12. He observed them all in action and evaluated all of our facilities, curriculum, policies, handbooks, and procedures. JVZ's final report will serve as my "User's Manual" for years to come. Jim's experience and commitment to excellence will continue to motivate me and all of my teammates as we build for the future!"
Chris J. Kosterman, Retired Director of Fine Arts
Rockwall ISD
“Jim came highly recommended by the leaders of Fine Arts in Texas, and he didn't disappoint! His evaluation was complete, thorough, and most helpful to our school district. Our staff and superintendent were most appreciative of the completed document. It is on the corner of my desk for reference at times when we are discussing fine arts.”
Ernest (Buddy) Reed, Former Director of Student Activities
College Station ISD
"The information provided as a result of Jim’s evaluation is powerful in that it comes from the ‘outside looking in,’ with no preconception or hidden agenda. He provided recommendations that reflect best practices utilized by most successful programs in the areas of curriculum, course structure, budgets and stipends, student achievement, and both physical and instructional learning environments. This has been extremely helpful to me as we proceed with positive changes."
Chris Walk, Executive Director of Fine Arts
Fort Worth ISD
“Jim was amazing and everyone loved his presentation!"
Jim McDaniel, Former Director of Fine Arts
Frisco ISD
"As former Director of Fine Arts Education for the Texas Education Agency, and now as Program Director of Fine Arts in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, I have observed Jim Van Zandt to be a highly regarded music/fine arts educator and school district administrator in the state of Texas. His diverse and rich background in fine arts has qualified him to provide expert administrative leadership in curriculum, instruction, and fine arts programs K-12. Jim is a consummate professional and dedicated educator who is passionately committed to quality fine arts education for all students, teachers, and communities.”
Thomas H. Waggoner
Former Director of Fine Arts
Texas Education Agency
"I am always delighted to have Jim Van Zandt work with my students, both undergraduate and graduate, who find him engaging and enlightening. He has long been one of the foremost advocates for Music Education in Texas. His work with educators and their constituents is recognized for both effectiveness and ethical practice. Jim has the ability to address immediate concerns in the context of long-term sustainability. He will contribute to the success of teachers regardless of their level of experience."
Matthew McInturf
Professor of Music
Director of Bands & Director of the Center for Music Education
Sam Houston State University
“Jim is a master teacher and trainer. His insight made the information that he presented in our district very practical and immediately useful. The entire training was personalized and had a very real sense of relevance to our particular situation. Throughout our sessions we not only found answers, but also discovered the right questions to ask to chart our course for the future. It was a very useful and quite engaging training.”
Asa Burk, Former Director of Bands
Grapevine High School
“Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with us today. Your messages were so on point with what we need right now. We appreciate you so much and are incredibly pleased with what you had to share today.”
Kevin Lacefield, Executive Director of Fine Arts
Northwest ISD
"Jim Van Zandt is one of the finest music educators in the US, and I'm so thankful that we were able to acquire his services as a band clinician at Georgetown High School for the last two years. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a unique insight into student motivation. Jim's wisdom and expertise are invaluable."
Cliff Croomes, Former Director of Bands, Georgetown High School, Assistant Director of Bands, Louisiana State University
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