Wenden Sanders
Wenden Sanders has been appointed director of HISD’s new K–12 Fine Arts Department.
Sanders, who is currently serving as principal of Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, was selected by a committee of teachers, principals, and district administrators. He will provide leadership, support, and direction to ensure that all HISD students have access to a high-quality fine arts education.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the fine arts to all students in HISD,” Sanders said. “I look forward to working with the Arts Access Initiative, principals, school officers, and community leaders to ensure that we are educating the whole child.”
The creation of the new Fine Arts Department is a direct result of Superintendent Richard Carranza’s Listen and Learn tour, where he heard repeatedly about the need to further develop the fine arts at all grade levels in HISD schools.
“We are very excited about expanding the fine arts throughout HISD under the leadership of Wenden Sanders,” said Chief Academic Officer Grenita Lathan. “Access to the arts and creative learning is an important part of becoming a Global Graduate.”
Sanders, who joined HISD eight years ago, has been the principal of Meyerland PVA for six years, leading the campus to six TEA distinctions in mathematics, ELA/reading, science, closing the achievement gap, post-secondary readiness, and student progress. He has been a public-school educator for 26 years, 13 of which he spent as a choral-music teacher and fine-arts department chair and the remainder as a campus administrator. As a music educator, he led his choirs to win UIL sweepstakes, best of class, and other superior awards. More than 350 students in his choral-music programs traveled to New York, Italy, Germany, and France, to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of music and art.
Sanders has served as a Texas Music Adjudication Association judge and a Texas Music Education Association regional officer. He is a member of Texas Choral Directors Association, ASCD, NASSP, TASSP, and HASA. Sanders earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Lamar University and a master’s in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University.
Sanders will finish the school year at Meyerland PVA before beginning his new job.
Congratulations Wenden Sanders!
This is a testament to Mr. Carranza’s character. The fact that he has made this a priority and that he created a process that resulted in Mr. Sanders being chosen, attests to his commitment to children. There is no one more giving of his time to children than Mr. Sanders. HISD just might be on the verge of a renaissance.
Congratulations, Sanders! Roc and I will always appreciate all the help you provided at Lanier, and we wish you the best in your newest endeavor.