Moreno Named First Hays CISD Fine Arts Director

Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright announced Friday that Patty Moreno has been selected as the first-ever fine arts director for Hays Consolidated Independent School District. She is a career professional music educator with nearly 30 years of experience.

By accepting the position in Hays CISD, Moreno is returning home to the school district where she started in the teaching profession.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Patty home,” said Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright. “She knows our district, she has a wealth of fine arts knowledge, and she has the passion it takes to keep our programs among the finest in the state.”

Moreno began her career in 1991 as the music teacher for Kyle and Green Elementary Schools. In 1993, when she started teaching older students at Kyle Intermediate School, she also became the district’s lead elementary music teacher – a position she held for 15 years.

In 2008, she became a fine arts coordinator for Austin Independent School District – her current position through January 24, 2020 – supervising content and writing curriculum for more than 100 elementary music teachers and secondary level choral directors.

During her career, Moreno has also served as a music consultant for Round Rock and Houston ISDs. She co-founded the Hays CISD honor choir.

And, she co-founded and continues to serve as a director of the Kodály music certification program at Texas State University, which employs a premier method and philosophy of music instruction named after the Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály.

In 2012, she was appointed by the State Board of Education to serve on the Texas Education Agency’s committee to review and write updated music essential knowledge and skills requirements for all music students in Texas.

Among Moreno’s many awards and honors, her Kodály music program team was previously named an H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Award state-level semi-finalist, and she was selected as the Tom Green Elementary School teacher of the year.

Moreno holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and Piano Pedagogy and a Master of Music Education, both from Texas State University and graduating with honors. She also holds a lifetime certification in Texas to teach all levels of music.