July 7, 2026, Filed Under: Theatre Education2026 UTeach Fine Arts Outstanding Educator Award This Spring, we honored Ms. Nelly Cuellar-Garcia, a 42-year veteran theatre director and champion of students on stage, as the recipient of our 2026 UTFA Outstanding Educator Award! With multiple state championships and over 30 district titles, her legacy is one of excellence and cultural impact. A two-time Texas UIL 4-A State Champion, Ms. Cuellar-Garcia first won the title in 2017 with her original play, Las Soldaderas. This work brought historically underrepresented voices to the forefront of the UIL stage. In 2024, she achieved this honor once again, co-directing alongside her daughter in a powerful, dual-language adaptation of Blood Wedding/Bodas de Sangre. She elevates and inspires her students to see themselves reflected in storytelling and on the stage. Her 13+ original plays resonate far beyond the curtain, fostering a sense of belonging and igniting creativity for students. UTeach Fine Arts expresses our appreciation and congratulations to Nelly as our 2026 UTFA Outstanding Educator. Thank you, Nelly, for empowering the next generation of storytellers!
