Nellie Ponikvar

2009 TMAC Outstanding Administrator

Nellie Ponikvar is currently the Director of Fine Arts for the Socorro Independent School District and has served in this position since 2001. She is currently completing her thirty-ninth year in education. Her teaching career began as the Band Director for Canutillo Independent School District in 1971. Her band was the first El Paso area band to compete in UIL competition. Nellie also worked for the Ysleta Independent School District as a teacher, campus administrator and Interim Fine Arts Director.

Nellie attended the University of Texas at El Paso where she was an officer in Tau Beta Sigma for four years and Sigma Alpha Iota for two years. She received her degree in Music Education and later obtained Elementary Certification. She attended Sul Ross University where she received a Masters in Administration.

She is currently the Executive Secretary for the University Interscholastic League, Region 22 and has held that position for the past 15 years. During her tenure, Region 22 has grown from one school district participation, to encompass all districts from Marfa, Texas to Anthony, Texas.

Over the past nine years, groups in Socorro all participate in UIL competitions. One of its bands has been selected to participate in the State Marching Contest four times and the first elementary program in the El Paso area has been selected to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference.

She has served on the University Interscholastic League Technical Advisory Committee and been the region elementary chair for two years. Nellie organized the El Paso area Fine Arts Supervisors and has served as Area A Marching chair and co-chair. She served on the Board of Directors for the El Paso Wind Symphony and is a member of Phi Delta Kappa.

Her honors include, Teacher of Month and finalist for campus Teacher of the Year. She was recently selected as a National Federation of High School Music Association's Outstanding Music Educator. In 2008-09 Nellie was selected as the “Texas Music Administrator of the Year” by the Texas Music Administrators Conference.

Nellie currently resides in El Paso, Texas with her family.