The Granbury Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mike Tabor Conference Room at the Granbury ISD administration building on October 18, 2022.
A casual conversation between superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn and chief financial officer Emmett Whitefield about where to hang one of Tabor's paintings led to the idea for the room. The corner office with windows looking into the building’s foyer was the ideal location to display the work of the talented artist and educator.
"Mike Tabor's art has always been a fixture in the administration building. Tabor gave so much to the students in our district, and we wish to carry on his influence for future generations," said Dr. Glenn at the ceremony.
One conference room wall boasts Tabor's The Bronc Riders. The painting provides an inspirational backdrop and sets the tone for meaningful conversations.
Tabor shared his passion for art by teaching Granbury ISD students for 29 years. Over the course of his career, many of his students participated in the Fort Worth Stock Show Art Contest where he led most of them to winning their divisions. In fact, there were only three years that Tabor's students did not receive the blue ribbon, but who's counting?
Tabor retired from Granbury ISD in 2021 and has continued his art career while maintaining the family ranch. He is married to his college sweetheart, Suzy, who is also a retired educator from the district. The couple has two children and three grandchildren. Mike and Suzy spend retirement enjoying their family and serving the community.
When asked what contributed to student success in his art program, Tabor responded, “It's not about me or about my art. You just let the kids do what kids do. It's all about the kids.”
Granbury ISD hopes the Mike Tabor Conference Room is used to hold many conversations about “the kids.”