Posted on October 25, 2024
EMS ISD has named Carla Hardy as the district’s next director of fine arts.
Hardy, a longtime educator with more than 20 years of experience, will lead the district’s fine arts programs after serving as assistant director of fine arts since 2023.
Hardy has held various roles in education, including assistant principal, choir director, accompanist, and vocal coach. She joined EMS ISD in 2012 with her husband, Jared, to open Chisholm Trail High School as choir directors. Together, they established a tradition of excellence, including starting the Ranch Hands and Ranger Renaissance programs. She later moved into an assistant principal position at CTHS before stepping in as the district’s first assistant fine arts director.
"I am overjoyed to accept this position, continuing the partnership with the outstanding fine arts educators and students in EMS ISD. Together, we will inspire creativity, cultivate critical thinking, and foster innovation through the arts. I am most looking forward to continuing the exciting partnership with our community, sharing the magic that happens everyday in our band, choir, dance, elementary, theatre, and visual arts spaces."
Before joining EMS ISD, Hardy and her husband taught in Frenship ISD and Plainview ISD. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance in 2002 and a Master of Education in 2013, both from Wayland Baptist University. In 2018, she and Jared were named Distinguished Alumni of Wayland Baptist.
Her career honors include being named Chisholm Trail High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2018 and 2020, EMS ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2018, and the Jostens Renaissance National Educator of the Year in 2018. She also serves as a clinician and judge for choirs statewide and speaks on leadership and school culture at national conventions. Hardy’s choirs have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes awards, and her students have been recognized as TMEA All-State Choir members, TCDA Honor Choir members, and TSSEC Outstanding Soloists.
“Carla Hardy is one of the finest music educators I’ve had the pleasure to know,” said Shawn Bell, EMS ISD director of fine arts. “She has already made a huge impact on fine arts across EMS ISD as our assistant director, and I’m thrilled she’s moving into this role where she will continue fostering a culture of fine arts excellence.”
Hardy and her family are deeply involved in EMS ISD fine arts. Her son, Jakob, a CTHS graduate, is now a music education major at Texas Tech University, and her daughter, Lily, is a sophomore at Chisholm Trail High School involved with both the choir program and the Charmers. Outside of her professional commitments, Hardy is an avid Texas Rangers baseball and Texas Tech athletics fan.
Hardy will move into her new at the start of the second semester in January.
