CFSD Band Director Renee Shane-Boyd Advocates for Music Education on Capitol Hill
Last week, Catalina Foothills School District was proudly represented in Washington, D.C., as our long-time Band Director, Renee Shane-Boyd, took to Capitol Hill to advocate for the future of music and arts education.
Participating in a summer advocacy initiative alongside the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA), Ms. Shane-Boyd collaborated with educators nationwide to urge lawmakers to support critical federal legislative acts and music funding. She met with legislators and key staffers from 10 of Arizona's 11 congressional offices.
“As we asked legislators to support legislative acts and funding that impact music and the arts for all students, it was a pleasure talking with them about the important skills that students develop through the study of music and the arts such as problem solving, analytical thinking, self discipline, commitment, creativity, collaboration, and empathy for others,” Ms. Shane-Boyd said.
A major highlight of the trip was connecting with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. Ms. Shane-Boyd recalls when the Falcon Band headed to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA in 2023 where Senator Kelly’s wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, served as the Grand Marshal, where the Falcon Band followed her in the parade order. Ms. Shane-Boyd also had the joy of meeting two former CFSD students who now work as staffers in Washington.
"I was really proud to be able to talk about the success of CFSD as a district that continually supports music, the arts, and CTE to provide a well-rounded education," Ms. Shane-Boyd shared. She noted to lawmakers that our district is one of the most successful and highly rated districts in Arizona. She believes that providing high-level experiences that engage students is a primary reason for our students' success. It is also part of why CFSD remains a top-rated choice in Arizona, where 50% of our students are open-enrolled.
We are deeply grateful to Ms. Shane-Boyd for her relentless dedication to preserving and elevating music education for all students!
